1956: The Washington University Renal Division is founded with Dr. Neal Bricker as its first director. "At that time nephrology did not exist as a specialty, although there was a group of individuals around the world who were interested in various aspects of kidney function, pathology and clinical diseases. The common problems of nephrology were essentially the same as they are today, but our knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and our ability to deal with them were significantly less. Dialysis for acute renal failure was considered an experimental therapy and limited to a few centers with special interest in the area. There was no effective treatment for chronic renal failure." From: J. of Postgraduate Medicine 1994 by P.A.F. Morrin.
1958: Dr. Peter A.F. Morrin conducts the first successful hemodialysis treatment for acute renal failure at Washington University using a Kolff twin coil tank kidney. The patient is a 9 year old girl with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
"The Division provided clinical consultation to the University hospital, but we did not have any patients under our own care, and Dr. Bricker was always concerned that clinical responsibilities should not interfere with the research program. However, a year earlier he had become involved with a young general surgeon who was interested in providing hemodialysis for acute renal failure, and our Division was in charge of the artificial kidney." From: J. of Postgraduate Medicine 1994 by P.A.F. Morrin.
1959: Dr. Peter A. F. Morrin conducts the first successful peritoneal dialysis at Washington University. The patient is a young man with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.
"We were of course, writing our own protocol as we proceeded, and had no one to call for advice. I stayed up all night doing the exchanges myself and there was a continuous stream of curious physicians, interns, residents, students and nurses coming by to see this marvellous new way of treating renal failure." From: J. of Postgraduate Medicine 1994 by P.A.F. Morrin.
1960: An exposition of the Intact Nephron Hypothesis is published by Dr. Bricker in the American Journal of Medicine. The hypothesis proves to be a correct and revolutionary one and delineates for the first time ever what renal failure is. Dr. Bricker becomes the founding president of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and is later recognized by the ASN as the 'father of renal pathophysiology.'
1963: The first kidney transplant is performed at Barnes Hospital. By 1993 more than 100 kidney transplants are performed at Barnes Hospital every year with rates of rejection among the lowest in the USA.
1966: Dr. Eduardo Slatopolsky establishes the first 'artifical kidney unit' at Barnes Hospital.
1966: Dr. Slatopolsky publishes 'The control of phosphate excretion in uremia' in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. It explains for the first time, why renal failure can be accompanied by bone disease and guides therapy to prevent this complication.
1970: The Chromalloy American Corporation donates funds to establish a Kidney Center at Washington University.
1974: The Kuhn-Pelton Kidney Unit is dedicated at Barnes Hospital/Washington University supported by a gift from the Dr. and Mrs Daniel Kuhn and Mr. and Ms. Edward Hubbard Pelton families.
1976: Construction of the Chromalloy American Kidney Center is initiated in the East Pavillion of Barnes Hospital. "We will continue to expand our research activities, and in so doing, the unit will continue to acquire nationwide recognition." From: Letter to Mr. Wesley Barta, Chromalloy American Corporation from Herschel Harter, Medical Director CAKC.
1974-80: Washington University is named one of nine participating centers in the NIH 'National Cooperative Dialysis Study.' Dr. Herschel Harter is the Principal Investigator. The study results in the first understanding of 'dialysis dosage.'
1979: Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is performed through the Chromalloy American Kidney Center making St. Louis the third city in the USA to offer CAPD - supported by a donation: Mr. Leon Toups, President, Chromalloy American Corp.
1984-90: Dr. Saulo Klahr, the second director of the Washington University Renal Division is named Chairman of the steering and planning committee for the NIH 'Cooperative Clinical Study of Dietary Modification on the Course of Progressive Renal Disease.' The study improves our understanding of the dietary changes needed to reduce complications of renal failure.
1994-2000: Washington University is included in the NIH 'Multicenter Study of Mortality and Morbidity in Hemodialysis.' Dr. James Delmez is the Principal Investigator. The study further defines the proper way to conduct dialysis.

PRESENT

1997: The BJC/Washington University Dialysis Network is created.
1997-2006: The BJC/Washington University Farmington Dialysis Center is operated in Farmington Missouri.
1998: The BJC/Washington University Forest Park Dialysis Unit is opened in St. Louis Missouri.
1999: DaVita/Washington University is created.
2000: The Davita/Washington University West County Dialysis Unit is opened in St. Louis Missouri.
2001: Washington University is chosen as a participating center in the NIH FAVORIT (Folic Acid Vascular Outcomes Research in Transplantation) trial. Dan Brennan is the Principal Investigator.
2001: Dr. Brent Miller initiates a Nocturnal Dialysis program at the BJC/Washington University Forest Park Dialysis Unit
2001: The Davita/Washington University 'DeBaliviere' Dialysis Unit is opened in St. Louis Missouri.
2002: Washington University is named a participant in the NIH 'Vascular Access Clinical Trials Consortium.' Dr.James Delmez is the Principal Investigator. The study will define the best way to maintain vascular access needed to perform dialysis.
2003: Washington University is named one of seven participating centers in the National Institutes of Health/Veterans Administration sponsored study comparing 'Conventional versus intensive support in acute renal failure.' Dr. Anitha Vijayan is Principal Investigator. The study will define the best way to treat acute renal failure.
2003: Washington University is named a participating center in the National Institutes of Health sponsored study evaluating nocturnal hemodialysis, 'Frequent Hemodialysis Clinical Trials.' Dr. Brent Miller is Principal Investigator. The study will test the efficacy of new dialysis methods including nocturnal dialysis.
2000-2009: The Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital Renal Division is named to US News & World Reports's 'Top 10' ten years in a row - every year for which Renal Divisions have been rated.
2007-2012: Washington University P30 NIH George M. O'Brien Center 'Washington University Center for Kidney Disease Research' is awarded. Marc Hammerman is the Principal Investigator.

FUTURE

1998: Dr. Marc Hammerman describes a method to grow new kidneys. The study is published in the medical journal, Kidney International.
1999: Dr. Anitha Vijayan shows that a growth factor, IGF I, can improve renal function in patients with end-stage renal failure. The study is published in the American Journal of Physiology.
2000: Dr. Vijayan uses IGF I instead of hemodialysis to treat a patient who must stop peritoneal dialysis while she recovers from surgery. The study is published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
2001: Dr. Brent Miller shows that exercise during dialysis can reduce the need for medications to control blood pressure. The study is published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases
2002: Dr. Daniel Brennan shows that a short course of induction therapy for renal transplant recipients works as well as a longer course and decreases the time of initial hospitalization. The study is published in the medical journal, Transplantation
2003: Dr. Marc Hammerman describes a method to grow a new endocrine pancreas to treat diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure in the USA. The study shows that new insulin-producing beta cells can be 'grown' by transplanting embryonic rat pancreas to adult diabetic rats and is published in the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs Journal.
2004: Dr. Aubrey Morrison is presented with the Award of Excellence by the National Kidney Foundation of Greater St. Louis and Metro East in recognition of his many contributions to research, education and patient care past, present and future. Jean Audrain receives the Quality Care Award from the American Nephrology Nurses Association.
2005: Dr. Marc Hammerman expands on the method to grow a new endocrine pancreas to treat diabetes. The study shows that new insulin-producing beta cells can be 'grown' by transplanting embryonic pig pancreas to adult diabetic rats - without the need to immune-suppress recipients and is published in Transplant Immunology.
2006: Dr. Brent Miller is presented with the Award of Excellence by the National Kidney Foundation of Greater St. Louis and Metro East in recognition of his many contributions to research, education and patient care past, present and future; Jean Audrain RN receives the Washington University Dean's Distinguished Servive Award.
2007: Dr. Marcos Rothstein is presented with the Award of Excellence by the National Kidney Foundation of Greater St. Louis and Metro East in recognition of his many contributions to research, education and patient care past, present and future.
2008: Lisa Koester is named recipient of the Kelly McManus Memorial Award by the American Nephrology Nurses Association. Patricia McKevitt is presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Kidney Foundation’s Council of Nephrology Social Workers
2009: Andrea Sims, Brenda Bingel and Dr. Dan Coyne report that adding intravenous iron to erythropoetin is a cost-effective way to treat patients on hemodialysis who are erythopoetin-resistant. The study is published in Nephrology Nursing Journal