Four healthcare professionals are standing together in a clinical setting, discussing medical charts and pamphlets. Two of them are wearing white lab coats, while another wears a black shirt displaying "Dallas Nephrology Associates." They appear to be in a collaborative discussion. Two healthcare professionals in white lab coats are in a discussion at a desk. One is standing and pointing at a document, while the other is seated and reviewing the paperwork. They are in a well-lit office with a framed certificate on the wall. A doctor and a healthcare professional are standing in a medical office hallway discussing something on a tablet. The doctor is wearing a white coat and the healthcare professional is in business casual attire with a stethoscope around his neck.

At the forefront of kidney care in
Dallas-Fort Worth for 50 years.

Since 1971, Dallas Nephrology Associates has been providing expert care and evaluation of kidney disorders to patients and referring physicians. Over the past five decades, DNA has grown into one of the nation’s largest groups of practicing nephrologists.

Our team of dedicated physicians includes Board Certified or Board Eligible physicians in Nephrology and Internal Medicine, hypertension specialists, interventional radiologists, and nephrologists, along with an outstanding support staff of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, laboratory and x-ray technologists, dietitians, social workers and administrative personnel.

Dallas Nephrology Associates Through the Years

1971
1975
1976
1981
1985
1989
1992
1996
1999
2000
2003
2006
2007
2008
2015
2016
2019
2020
2021

1971

Drs. Prati, Hull and Associates was founded in June 1971.  At the time, there were two physicians and less than 10 administrative support members. The subspecialty of nephrology was new.


Dr. Alan R. Hull became elected as the first president of Drs. Prati, Hull and Associates.

1975

Dallas Kidney Disease Center  opened under by Drs. Prati, Hull and Associates.  It was the second dialysis center to open in Dallas and, at the time, it was the largest dialysis center in the world, with 53 dialysis stations.


Drs. Hull and White along with Paul Peters, Sr., established Southwest Organ Bank, a nonprofit organ recovery organization.  With support from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the organization increased the availability of kidneys for transplant.  Dr. Martin White served as the organization’s founding president until 2002.  (Source:  BUMC Group Practice Article – F. David Winter, Jr., MD)

1976

Drs. Prati, Hull and Associates changed its name to Dallas Nephrology Associates.

1981

Dallas Nephrology Associates’ physicians, led by Dr. Pedro Vergne-Marini, assisted in the developing the Methodist Medical Center transplant program. The program performed their first kidney transplant in 1981.


Dallas Nephrology Associates opens Dallas Transplant Institute. This Institute provides medical care for post-kidney and kidney/pancreas transplant patients and coordinates the medical evaluation for patients with CKD who are pursuing kidney transplantation. 


Dr. Thomas Parker, III, helped to lead the National Cooperative Dialysis Study (NCDS), the first randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of dialysis dose on patient outcomes. Prior to this study, standardized targets for dialysis treatment were not well established. The NCDS provided important evidence supporting the use of small-solute clearance to help quantify dialysis dose.

1985

Dr. Martin G. White was elected as president of Dallas Nephrology Associates.


Dallas Nephrology Associates assisted in the development of the Baylor Transplant Program.

1989

Dallas Nephrology Associates began a multicenter study to assess the impact of increasing the delivered quantity of dialysis on mortality in subsequent years. Dialysis dose was measured by urea kinetic modeling. Kt/V, reflecting the fractional volume of body water clearance of urea during a dialysis treatment. 

1992

By 1992, Dallas Nephrology Associates and National Medical Care had standardized mortality ratios of 0.77 and 0.74, respectively, compared with the US dialysis population, indicating almost 30% fewer observed deaths than expected resulted from the increase in Kt/V.

1996

Dr. Pedro Vergne-Marini was elected as President of Dallas Nephrology Associates.  Dr. Vergne was instrumental in creating new relationships with many dialysis partners. 

1999

Medical City Dallas Hospital expanded their transplant program to include kidney transplants.  Our physicians included Medical Directors of the transplant program. 

2000

Dr. Ruben Velez was elected as President of Dallas Nephrology Associates.  Dr. Velez served as President for 16 years.  Under his leadership, DNA grew tremendously throughout the metroplex.

2003

Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth opened a transplant program with Dallas Nephrology Associates physicians providing both pre-transplant evaluation and post-transplant care.  


Dr. Thomas Parker chaired the CKD Initiative workshop held by the Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative (CKDI) in Washington, DC.  The CKDI was implemented at the request of the Council of American Kidney Societies to formulate a plan of action to solve many of the perceived problems associated with identifying, caring for, and attaining the best outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. 

2006

DNA Plano Vascular Center was opened.  DNA Plano Vascular Center provides advanced, effective vascular-access management care to patients with dialysis access. 

2007

The 80th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1373 in 2007, establishing the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force (Task Force).

This task force was directed to develop a plan to educate health care professionals about the advantages and methods of early screening, diagnosis, and the treatment of CKD and its complications including early renal replacement therapy.  

2008

DNA Dallas Vascular Center was acquired from U.S. Vascular Access Services. The DNA Dallas Vascular Center provides advanced, effective vascular-access management care to patients with dialysis access. Our medical teams at both of our Vascular Centers include both Interventional Radiologists and Interventional Nephrologist, as well as surgical support staff. 

2015

Renal Disease Research Institute was formed as an affiliate of Dallas Nephrology Associates. Its mission is to offer individuals the opportunity to participate in clinical research by managing scientifically feasible and ethical clinical trials.

2016

Dr. Alexander Liang was elected as President of Dallas Nephrology Associates.


DNA was one of thirteen original pioneer members of ESCO, an ESRD specialty ACO.  

2019

Dr. Steven Hays becomes President of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians.


Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Vascular Center is the first in Texas to create non-surgical dialysis fistulas using two FDA-approved systems.

2020

Dr. Roberto Collazo-Maldonado of Dallas Nephrology Associates was appointed to Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force by Governor Greg Abbott.

Texas House Bill 1225, named The Glenda Dawson Act, had re-established the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force to coordinate the implementation of the state’s plan to increase CKD prevention, early screening, diagnosis, and management.


Dr. Neghae Mawla, an interventional nephrologist, also completed the 100th EndoAVF procedure at the DNA Vascular Center in Plano. This minimally invasive procedure offered a new approach to creating fistulas for patients preparing for hemodialysis.


Dr. Archana Rao was elected to the Dallas County Medical Society Board of Directors. 

2021

For more than 50 years, Dallas Nephrology Associates has cared for patients with kidney disease, hypertension, transplants, and complex electrolyte disorders. Although kidney care has changed significantly over the decades, our commitment remains the same: providing patients with expert, personalized care using advanced treatments and technologies.

That commitment is supported by our physicians, advanced practice providers, and hundreds of staff members who care for patients with compassion and dedication.

50 Years of Excellence

For fifty years, many of our physicians have served as directors of nephrology and transplant departments or nephrology laboratories at most major Dallas hospitals, including Baylor University Medical Center, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Medical City Dallas, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospitals, and City Hospital at White Rock.
We strive to make continuing education a priority and to investigate and incorporate the latest procedures and techniques in kidney care.

Two female healthcare professionals smile while standing in a clinic hallway. One, with curly blonde hair, wears a stethoscope and is being hugged from behind by her colleague with long, straight dark hair. Both are dressed in white lab coats and appear cheerful and friendly.

Reflections

Our Presidents

DNA President and CEO, Dr. Liang

Alexander Liang, MD

June 2016 –
Present

Kidney specialist, Former DNA President, Dr. Velez

Ruben L. Velez, MD

July 2000 –
June 2016

Dr. Pedro Vergne-Marini

Pedro Vergne-Marini, MD

May 1996 –
July 2000

DNA President, Dr. White

Martin G. White, MD

November 1985 –
May 1996

DNA's Founder and First President, Dr. Alan Hull

Alan R. Hull, MD

June 1971 –
November 1985

In Memoriam

A man with short dark hair and glasses is wearing a white lab coat over a light brown tie and blue shirt. The background is a textured teal color.

Karl R. Brinker, MD, FRCP(C), FACP

1946 – 2005

Dr. Karl R. Brinker joined the medical staff at Dallas Nephrology Associates in 1979. He cared for patients at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas Transplant Institute, and the Dallas Bishop office.

Dr. Brinker was widely respected for his knowledge and experience in nephrology and organ transplantation. He was also a founding member of the Texas Transplant Society.

Outside medicine, he enjoyed fly fishing, hockey, and coaching youth baseball. He was remembered as both a compassionate caregiver and a person with a wonderful sense of humor.

In 2005, the Texas Senate honored Dr. Brinker’s memory with Senate Resolution No. 88. Dallas Nephrology Associates remains grateful for his contributions to the practice, his patients, and the medical community

Dr. Levy wavy brown hair, wearing a light green blazer, smiles at the camera. She stands against a blurred background of light-colored walls and windows, embodying 50 years of excellence in kidney care.

Freda L. Levy, MD

1959 – 2018

Dr. Freda Levy joined Dallas Nephrology Associates in 1996 and became the first female transplant nephrologist at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

During her career, she served on numerous committees and held several leadership positions, including eight years as Chief of Nephrology at Methodist Dallas. She also cared for patients through the Viceroy Pre-Transplant program, Dallas Transplant Institute, and the Dallas Bishop location.

Dr. Levy served as medical director of the ARA Kessler Park Dialysis Clinic and as Medical Director of Pre-Transplant at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

She was deeply respected by her colleagues, coworkers, and patients for her knowledge, skill, passion, and commitment to patient care. Her contributions and memory remain an important part of Dallas Nephrology Associates.