Irfan A. Moinuddin, MD

Biography

Transplant care built on trust

Irfan Moinuddin, M.D., says the field of kidney transplant care requires a mix of medical knowledge, hard work, collaboration — and compassion.

“As a doctor, I’m fulfilled when I see the difference a kidney transplant brings to the life of a patient with end-stage renal disease,” Moinuddin says. “It not only adds years to their life — it improves their quality of life.”

Moinuddin says that road to a game-changing kidney donation starts with a doctor-patient relationship where he strives to make a transplant recipient feel at home as part of a team focused on improving their health.

“I explain to them the transplant process from start to finish and involve him in the decision-making,” Moinuddin says. “This helps build trust, and patients know their concerns and wishes are being addressed,”

It’s a partnership that often begins with an evaluation of whether a patient can undergo a transplant and continues well beyond the moment they receive their new organ.

At Hume-Lee, Moinuddin treats patients experiencing kidney failure before their transplant. And he’s there following the procedure continuing to care for them and making sure they’re getting the medicines they need to make sure their body’s immune system doesn’t reject the new organ.

He also treats high blood pressure, diabetes and infections that can arise following a transplant while seeing patients at VCU Health offices in downtown Richmond and in Fredericksburg, Va.

He thrives on working with a collaborative team of medical providers who are all focused on helping transplant patients get better. He also relishes the opportunity to pursue kidney care research and has co-authored more than a dozen studies in the field.

Moinuddin says transplant care brings its share of challenges, including long hours and the need to keep up with the latest advances in an ever-changing field. “These challenges bring out the best in you,” he says.

Advice to Patients

“Have trust in your provider. Actively participate in the decisions that need to be made about your medications and the transplant process. Never hesitate to ask any questions you have about your treatment plan.”

Research Interests

Desensitization of highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates, non-invasive biomarkers for rejection of donated kidneys, viral infections in kidney transplant recipients