AIN Transplant Institute provides a full-fledged service-line for everything related to kidney transplant, including pre-transplant and post-transplant care. We have locations throughout the Chicagoland area to provide convenient access for kidney transplant candidates and recipients.
The Institute was founded in 2023. It is a extension of our mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care to our transplant recipient patients. Our team consists of an UNOS Certified Transplant Nephrologist and a Transplant Nurse/Post Transplant Coordinator. We offer Comprehensive post-transplant care including treatment for rejection, infection and any complications that might arise from your transplanted Kidney and/or Pancreas. Our transplant nurse coordinator is available for the patients and families for educational needs, questions, and scheduling for appointments.
On behalf of the AIN Transplant Institute, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and your family on your new kidney. This moment marks an exciting and transformative milestone—one that may feel both exhilarating and overwhelming—and we are truly honored to be part of your care team.
At AIN, we deeply understand the long and often challenging journey that has brought you to this point. As you begin this new chapter, think of us as your dedicated guides. We are here to help you navigate the road ahead with confidence, providing the highest quality and most compassionate care every step of the way.
We look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you on this journey. As you embrace your new life—free from the constraints of dialysis—we encourage you to share your experiences, adventures, and the freedom that comes with renewed health.
With warmest wishes,
Zaid Haddad, M.D.
Medical Director
AIN Transplant Institute
As a physician trained in Nephrology and Transplant, Dr. Haddad strives to employ his expertise in diagnosing and delaying progression of chronic kidney diseases through exciting new advancements in the field.
Dr. Haddad is an advocate for kidney transplant as a life-altering treatment modality that he considers to be a second chance at a healthy life, free of dialysis.
Medical School: University of Jordan
Residency: Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago, IL
Nephrology, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Fellowship: USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
UNOS Certified for Kidney and Pancreas Transplant
Denae Allen-DeCrescenzo
Transplant Nurse Coordinator
Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in Nephrology Nursing. Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Education Options Teaching, and Transplantation.
My focus is to assist our patients to have the best experience in dealing with their kidney disease and making the choices that fit into their day to day lives.
Expertise in educating of treatment options for the renal patient and families.
School: Chamberlain College of Nursing
Experience: Dialysis Clinical Management, Education, Transplant Coordination and Clinical Research
Our Services
Comprehensive Transplant Care
Monitoring your kidney function, blood work and other parameters to detect signs of rejection or complications.
Prescribe and adjust immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection while minimizing side effects.
Identify and treat acute and chronic rejection episodes through biopsy interpretation and tailored treatments.
Active surveillance for early, subtle rejection through specialized DNA blood tests that traditional creatinine-based kidney tests may miss.
Monitor for infections due to immunosuppression and prescribe preventive treatments.
Provide ongoing care to maintain kidney health and manage other health conditions that arise after transplantation.
Leading collaborative efforts with the UI Health Transplant program to evaluate patients for kidney transplant candidacy and streamline access to transplant care.
Absolutely. Prior to your visit, you will have bloodwork done including your kidney function panel and drug levels. Based on your drug levels, we might adjust or continue your current dose of anti-rejection pills.
Your concern is legitimate, but rest assured, you can call or email us any time of the day to review the new medication and we will provide you with our expert opinion
That depends on several factors, but generally at least every 3-6 months. However, we are also able to see you sooner and more frequently if indicated.
We pride ourselves on our broad reach throughout Chicago via various clinics to minimize your commute. Our locations are listed on the left under “Office Locations”, and we can schedule you at the clinic closest to your residential zip code.
Yes. After your transplant, you will initially have frequent appointments with the transplant team to make sure you are recovering well. These visits will be less frequent over time as you begin your transition back to the referring transplant Institute at AIN. At the transplant Institute, we have partnered up with all the university hospitals in Chicago and are in constant communication with your team to ensure a safe and seamless transition of care.
Anti–rejection (immunosuppressant) medications decrease the body’s natural immune response to anything that is “foreign” (in this case your transplanted kidney). They lower (suppress) your immune system and prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney.
You should never stop taking anti-rejection medications no matter how good you feel and even if you think your transplanted kidney is working well. Stopping or missing medications will cause a rejection to occur. Kidney rejection is hard to diagnose in its early stages. Rejection is often not reversible once it starts and results in the loss of the transplanted kidney.
Memorize the names, doses, and schedule of each medication, and keep this information with you. Make taking your medicine a daily habit, using digital reminders if needed. Only your nephrologist or transplant team should adjust your anti-rejection medications.
Anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications have a number of possible side-effects which are usually manageable for most patients. Blood levels of anti-rejection medications will be checked regularly to prevent rejection and lessen side-effects. If side-effects do occur, your doctor may change the dose or type of medications.
Some of the most common side-effects of anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications include high blood pressure, an increased chance of having infections, gastrointestinal (belly/digestive) side effects.
Take your medicine as prescribed (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
You will need to take immunosuppression medicine (or immunosuppressants) for a long time after your transplant. These medicines help prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney.
It is very important to take your medicines as prescribed. People who do not take their immunosuppressants are more likely to have problems with their transplanted kidney. For example, people who do not take their medicines are 7 times more likely to have kidney rejection. Rejection can lead to the loss of the kidney, having to do dialysis again, needing another transplant, or even death.
Cancer Screening Recommendations from CDC
1-Breast Cancer
• The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every 2 years.
2-Cervical Cancer
If you are 21 to 29 years old
You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you are 30 to 65 years old
Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you:
• An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• An HPV test along with a Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you are older than 65
Your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if:
• You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and
• You have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or
• You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.
3-Colorectal Cancer
The US Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The decision to be screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening
4-Lung Cancer
The USPSTF recommends yearly lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) for people who:
• Have a history of heavy smoking, and
• Smoke now or quit within the past 15 years, and
• Are between 50 and 80 years old.
5-Skin Cancer
You are at increased risk of skin cancer post-transplant; Signs of a possible skin cancer include:
• New lesions or moles on your skin
• Changes in the size or shape of a mole, or if it is bleeding. See your dermatologist at least once a year for skin checks.
Food safety (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
• Avoid undercooked and raw meats, poultry, and fish
• Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk
• Avoid cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, such as brie, feta, and camembert
• Avoid uncooked seafood, such as oysters, clams, and mussels
• For fresh meat cold cuts that are cut by a meat slicer, only get enough cold cuts for a single serving that you will eat that day. Or get processed deli meat in a package, as it may be safer.
Animal contact and pet safety (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
Transplant recipients must be careful with pets, because they have a higher chance of getting infections from animals.
• Wash your hands carefully after handling pets
• In general, dogs and cats are safe, but they must be up to date with their own healthcare, such as their shots
• If you have a cat, avoid changing the kitty litter. If that is not possible, change the litter daily and wear gloves and a mask.
• Avoid certain pets due to the higher chance of infection: Rodents, such as guinea pigs or hamsters. Reptiles, such as lizards, snakes, or turtles Amphibians, such as frogs or salamanders, Birds, such as parrots, parakeets, or finches
• Do not let your pet lick your wounds or chew on your IV tubing
• Avoid handling pets with diarrhea
• Avoid animal bites and scratches and
• Do not pet stray animals
Travel Safety and Tips (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
If you are traveling to the developing world:
• Water is often not safe to drink, so use only bottled water even for brushing
your teeth
• Do not use ice as it likely comes from the local water system
• Follow the rule: “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”
• Never get the yellow fever vaccine because it is a live vaccine. Live vaccines contain a weakened version of the germ it is trying to protect you from. Because of this, there is a small chance the vaccine can cause an infection.
• Bring an extra supply of your medicine
• Keep all medicine in your carry-on bag
• Bring a note from your doctor explaining what each medicine is for
• Have a plan for leaving in case you get sick or have a medical emergency
• Have a plan in case you get diarrhea, because being dehydrated from diarrhea can affect the levels of your immunosuppressive drugs
Vaccines (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
Avoid live vaccines, which include MMR, varicella, rotavirus, yellow fever, and the intranasal flu vaccine. Live vaccines can sometimes carry infections. If you learn that someone you have been in close contact with recently got a live vaccine, contact your transplant team. Whenever you are deciding to get a vaccine, remind your doctor or pharmacist that you are a transplant recipient.
Gardening safety (Source: American Society of Transplantation)
Soil has many fungi and molds that can cause infections. You should avoid gardening for the first 6-12 months after your transplant.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself when it’s safe for you to garden again:
• Wear gloves
• Cover your skin with clothing
• Wear a mask
• Use bug spray (and put it on last, after you’re dressed)
• Check yourself for ticks
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As of May 2026, the AIN Transplant Institute has formalized a high-impact collaboration with UI Health to evaluate patients for kidney transplant candidacy marking a significant step forward in improving access to timely transplant care.
Restore YOUR Kidney Health
For over 50 years, our Chicagoland area physicians have been recognized for their innovative patient service programs and for actively engaging in local outreach efforts. Contact us today to experience the AIN difference.
