Nephrology (Kidney)

What We Do

Our pediatric nephrologists have a long tradition of providing care to children from all over South Texas with clinics serving communities in Corpus Christi, Victoria, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.

We are committed to bringing our expertise and providing high-quality care to the diverse populations of South Texas closer to the homes of our patients and their families. We take pride in giving our patients and families the individualized attention they deserve.

Partnering with primary care physicians, as well as other specialists, we are able to optimize patient care and perform necessary tests and procedures in an efficient and timely manner. In addition to our clinic practices, we provide in-patient consultation services and are available on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

End-Stage Renal Disease Program

We have a well-established end-stage renal disease program that offers both in-center hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis in both Corpus Christi and McAllen. In addition, we perform in-patient dialysis therapies including continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the critical care setting in collaboration with our team of intensive care specialists, and plasma exchange therapies for a variety of renal and non-renal conditions.

Kidney Biopsies

Kidney biopsies are performed on an outpatient basis in most cases and are read locally by our experienced pediatric pathologists.

Transplant Program

The Driscoll Children's Hospital Kidney Transplant Program is the first and only pediatric kidney transplant program in South Texas. It was established under the direction and leadership of Nephrology and Transplant Surgery in 2006 and enjoys some of the highest success rates in the nation.

Summer Camp

Camp Aranzazu is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities by providing unique camping, environmental studies and retreat experiences to groups with special needs. Children and their medical care teams have the opportunity to spend a week together at camp engaged in traditional summer camping activities as well as activities designed to meet the special psychosocial needs faced by these children.

Medical Education

Educating the next generation of pediatric physicians and specialists is one of our top priorities. The rotation in pediatric nephrology is a popular elective among pediatric residents from Driscoll Children's Hospital and medical students from Texas A&M, UT RGV, and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, among other medical schools. Many of our residents have chosen to pursue a career in pediatric nephrology and have been accepted into fellowship training at some of the most prestigious and reputable institutions in the country.

Patient Notification

In accordance with the Texas Medical Board (TMB) guidelines we would like to inform you that Dr. Salam Gharaybeh and Dr. Samhar Al-Akash will be leaving our practice effective June 30, 2022.

Your Medical Records will remain with Driscoll Children’s Hospital unless requested otherwise. If you would like to have your Medical Records transferred, please work with our front office or call (361) 694-5022 for assistance.