Rachel Lestz, MD, MHS

Dr. Lestz is the medical director of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation. At CHLA, we have one of the largest End Stage Renal Disease Programs in the US and pediatric kidney transplant is a critical component of the care provided to these patients. Dr. Lestz oversees the care decisions made both prior to and after transplantation. She leads a multidisciplinary team including nurses, transplant coordinators, social workers, dieticians and support staff with the collective goal of improving the quality of life and care of children living with kidney transplants. In addition, Dr. Lestz continues to care for general nephrology patients including those with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, glomerulonephritides and children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Dr. Lestz was named as a Super Doctors Rising Star in Nephrology in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Dr. Lestz research centers around clinical outcomes in the ESRD and transplant population. During her fellowship in pediatric nephrology, she obtained a masters degree (MHS) in clinical epidemiology which has enhanced her ability to investigate independently and as a research collaborator. She is an active participant in several multi-disciplinary and multi-centered projects focused on several aspects of the transplant population.

She provides leadership and oversight to a new Acute Kidney Injury Prevention program. Under her leadership a system of electronic alerts and surveillance for early identification of patients at risk and working with pharmacy and primary providers limit the impact of nephrotoxic therapies. Dr. Lestz oversees our participation in the NINJA (Nephrotoxic Injury Negated by Just in Time Action) collaborative joining 36 participating centers. In 2013, she became medical director of the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program at CHLA. She leads a multidisciplinary team including nurses, transplant coordinators, social workers, dietitians and support staff with the collective goal of improving the quality of life and care of children living with kidney transplants. She continues to treat children with a variety of renal diseases, including those who have experienced acute kidney injury (AKI).