John Ford, a patient at the Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Center in Waterloo, talks with clinic manager Keith Kipping and Fresenius Gateway Area Operations Director Geralyn Vogel during a recent visit.

Securing state certification was a lengthy administrative struggle for the new Fresenius Medical Care dialysis center off Hamacher Street in Waterloo.

But for numerous area citizens, the wait has been well worth it.

Kidney dialysis is a medical procedure used to help manage more severe cases of failure of that critical organ.  It does so by filtering waste materials out of blood that an individual’s kidneys are no longer able to remove on their own. It can either be performed at home, with proper supervision, or in centers such as the one in the medical complex on Hamacher Street, depending on a doctor’s recommendations. It has to be performed an average of three times a week to be effective and takes several hours each time.

Previously, patients requiring this care had to journey to facilities outside the county — including across the river to Missouri.

One patient, John Ford of Waterloo, told how he had explored alternatives when he was finally forced to turn to dialysis last winter.

“One I visited was simply unkempt and unclean,” Ford said. “But when I came here, I was impressed by the newness and cleanliness of the facilities, and the friendliness and happy attitude of staff members.

“And they put up with me,” he added, laughing. “This is a convenient, excellent alternative.”

Clinic manager Keith Kipping said the center served its first patient in April of last year.

But without Illinois state certification, Fresenius Medical Care Gateway Area Operations Director Geralyn Vogel said they were limited to meeting needs of privately insured clients.

Without state certification, which finally came through after extended bureaucratic sparring, they could not serve Medicare and Medicaid patients.

“I have worked in this field for some time now,” Vogel expanded.  “To the state’s certification, allowing us to serve the broader spectrum of patients, we had to gain what is called a certificate of need,” she said.  “And that can be difficult unless you can secure community support.

“But support here was overwhelming,” she said.  “The Waterloo mayor, all of the county commissioners, and a lot of citizens climbed on board vocally. When we went to the state and finally secured certification, we went with some 30 letters from local supporters. That was unheard of.”

Kipping, who lives within walking distance of the Waterloo facility, said the community atmosphere is strengthened by the fact most of the staff also lives close by in Waterloo and in Monroe County.

“It is a privilege for them to serve the health needs of people they know and see often around the community daily,” he said.

If you currently travel out of the area for kidney dialysis, or are being told by your doctor that you are going to soon need this care, you can schedule a visit to the center in Waterloo by calling Kipping at 939-6156, ext. 212.

He can set up a visit to answer questions and offer you a chance to see firsthand how you would be cared for there.