Saint Thomas West Hospital, a member of Ascension Saint Thomas, and Nephrology Associates, Middle Tennessee's largest provider of renal care, recently announced an exclusive partnership expanding kidney transplant care.

The new partnership, which launched at the beginning of the year, will expand the kidney transplant program at Saint Thomas West with increased access for renal transplant patients across the region. Transplant-trained nephrologists will also amplify coverage at the hospital through a practice affiliation with Saint Thomas Medical Partners and Nephrology Associates.

Additionally, the agreement will expedite the transplant wait list process and allow for the joint branding of certain existing Nephrology Associates locations.

"The decision to partner with Ascension Saint Thomas is a progression of Nephrology Associates' long-standing commitment to meeting this growing public health need," said Ashish Soni, MD, president of Nephrology Associates. "With this alignment, we are positioning ourselves to fight for the improved kidney health of all Middle Tennesseans."