Patients First. Always.

Board Chairman, Dr. Carlos Zayas is a transplant nephrologist and the program director for the Prisma Health Kidney Transplant Program in Greenville, SC. He is also a co-founder of the South Carolina Transplant Foundation and a former board member of the Georgia Transplant Foundation. He is a Medical Review Board member of IPRO- Region 6, a Founding member of the Southeastern Transplant Coalition, a member of the National Kidney Foundation, a Fellow of the American Society of Transplantation, a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology, a member of multiple AST Committees, and Professor of Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville, SC.

Dr. Prince Anand is a transplant nephrologist and the medical director of the Mid-Carolinas Transplant program for the Medical University of South Carolina in Lancaster, SC. He serves on the Southeastern Kidney Transplant Coalition board and is active in the American Society of Transplantation.

Kay is a licensed transplant social worker with the Medical University of South Carolina. She has years of experience helping hundreds of transplant patients in different organ groups with years of experience. Above, she is shown being awarded the 2022 MUSC Health Diversity in Leadership Award.

Dr. Kadian is a transplant-trained nephrologist with Columbia Nephrology in Columbia, SC, and has been practicing for over 20 years. In his practice, he cares for chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease and operates a post-transplant clinic for his group. He is also a member of the American Society of Transplant, the American Society of Nephrology, and the American Medical Association. He is very active with the South Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Calandra is a mother, a philanthropist, a visionary, and most importantly, she’s a survivor. Born in Gaffney, South Carolina, Calandra has always had a passion for encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others who experience different adversities in life. Over the last 19 years, Calandra battled with chronic kidney disease, which ultimately resulted in her receiving a successful kidney transplant In 2020. Now, her faith and visionary perspective have allowed her to be the voice of the voiceless for others struggling with the same disease. Calandra has now become the groundbreaking Founder of Conquering with Calandra. This non-profit organization provides supportive services and help from professional therapists, fitness trainers, dietitians, peer buddies, and support groups.

Dr. Dewees has a prosperous career spanning over 30 years, with significant achievements in business, organizational development, teaching, and higher education administration. She is currently the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Claflin University. She also serves as the Chair of the SC Quality Forum and was recently appointed as an at-large member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Operations and Safety Committee.

Dr. Dewees shares a personal connection to organ transplantation through her husband, James, a heart transplant recipient; a journey has profoundly impacted their lives and inspired Dr. Dewees to advocate for organ transplant awareness. Her platform educates, supports, and encourages individuals and families to navigate similar experiences.

Istvan G. Bognar, MD, was born in New York and is a first-generation Hungarian American. He graduated medical school in Hungary and returned to the U.S. for residency in internal medicine at Stamford Hospital. He completed a fellowship in nephrology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Dr. Bognar lives with his wife, Kim, and their five children in Greenville.

Alex is a solid organ transplant pharmacist at Prisma Health Transplant Center in Greenville, South Carolina. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, then completed a PGY-1 residency at the University of Toledo and a PGY-2 residency in solid organ transplant, specifically kidney, liver, and pancreas, at the University of Cincinnati. She guest lectures for the University of South Carolina Pharmacy School in the transplant elective for pharmacy students and precepts current pharmacy students and residents on her transplant rotation. She is also a member of the American Society of Transplantation. She is passionate about ensuring our transplant patients are well taken care of regarding their medication understanding and adherence, a lifelong journey for the patient and their family. Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with her family and getting outside in the sunshine as much as she can.

Beth is the Clinical Operations Manager for the Prisma Health Transplant Program in Greenville. She relocated to SC in October 2021 after more than 30 years at the Emory Transplant Center in Atlanta. Beth has maintained certification as a Clinical Transplant Coordinator since 2000 and was a founding member of the Georgia Chapter of the International Transplant Nurses Society. Transplantation and transplant nursing are her passions; helping patients on the journey toward a healthier life following the gift of organ donation has brought her outstanding personal and professional joy!

Cassie is a Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Social Worker at Prisma Transplant in Greenville. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master's in Social Work in 2018. With a background in mental health, she’s passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and ensuring transplant access for all. Outside of work, Cassie enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and traveling with her husband and two dogs.