By Stephen Cohn Apr 21, 2021 9:54 AM MADISON, Wis. — UW Health’s Transplant Center performed 64 paired kidney exchanges in 2020, which is more than any other transplant center in the U.S. According to a news release, it’s the first time UW Health has led the nation in paired kidney exchanges since the first one was performed in the U.S. in 2000. “The fact that we were able to facilitate so many paired kidney exchanges, despite having to temporarily close our living donation program twice during the COVID-19 pandemic, speaks volumes about the commitment of this entire transplant team, particularly the surgical, medical and nursing leaders and their staff,” said Dr. Dixon Kaufman, medical director of the UW Health Transplant Center. “Time and again our staff rise to the challenge of the day to provide our patients with the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. It’s what drives us forward and, ultimately, what makes us successful.”