Our Mission:
"To provide the highest level of care to patients with kidney-related diseases. We realize this care is a matter of life and commit to exceed the expectations of our patients. It is our goal to be the preferred provider for all renal-related care in East Texas and surrounding areas.
Our History:
The Centers for Kidney Care began in 1974 when Dr. Thomas Lowery formed Tyler Nephrology Associates, PA (TNA), and began providing specialty care for chronic kidney disease and kidney failure for people in the East Texas area. The growing need to provide dialysis services led to Dr. James R. Cotton joining the practice in 1978. That same year, TNA opened the first outpatient chronic dialysis unit now known as Watson Wise Dialysis in Tyler, Texas. Further expansion and the arrival of additional physicians have led to the establishment of the Dialysis Access Center of Tyler 17 outpatient dialysis centers and 8 dialysis home therapy programs in East Texas, Northeast Texas, and Southeast Oklahoma, providing dialysis therapy for over 1,250 patients with kidney failure.
In 1987, TNA teamed with East Texas Medical Center to open the only kidney transplant program in East Texas. Over 800 patients received lifesaving kidney transplants before ETMC terminated the program in 2017. The practice continues to provide post-transplant care through our offices in Tyler and Paris and maintains referral relationships with multiple transplant programs to facilitate kidney transplants for our patients.
TNA opened the Dialysis Access Center of Tyler in 1999. At this facility, dialysis and pre-dialysis patients can receive specialized interventional procedures when they experience problems with their vascular access.
The practice has multiple satellite clinics throughout East Texas. In 2012, Kidney & Hypertension Specialists of Paris opened as the first full-time TNA satellite practice in Paris, Texas. We also see patients at satellite clinics in Athens, Jacksonville, Palestine, and Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Idabel, Oklahoma. In 2017, the practice changed its name to The Centers for Kidney Care, reflecting our growing practice and expanding geographic service area.
As the number of patients in need of specialty care for kidney disease continues to rise, The Centers for Kidney Care has expanded to over 20 providers. We are dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients across much of East Texas, Northeast Texas, and Southeast Oklahoma. We are committed to building long-term medical relationships with our patients and are excited to welcome you to our practice.