Layla Kamal, MD

Biography

For Layla Kamal, M.D., empathy is at the heart of the care she provides patients undergoing a kidney transplant.

“I treat my patients the way I would a family member of mine,” Kamal says. “I try to understand all the emotional aspects of each patient’s experience by listening actively — listening to their frustrations and working to understand their feelings.”

Kamal is involved in every aspect of a patient’s kidney transplant, from evaluating them before they undergo the procedure to caring for them following their operation and treating any post-transplant complications. That includes managing the patients anti-rejection medications, performing kidney biopsies, treating post-transplant infections among others. 

In addition to being part of Hume-Lee’s kidney care team, Kamal is also a living donor advocate and speaks often about the invaluable impact that transplants have on patients who need a new kidney. 

“Most of the time, the recipients and the donors know each other. But heartwarmingly enough, we have people come forward wanting to be considered as live donors for  people who they never met out of the goodness of their heart,” Kamal said in an appearance on WTVR-TV in Richmond. “They feel they are healthy and blessed enough, and they want to give this gift of life and make this impactful outcome on someone they have never met.”

A major reason she was drawn to the kidney transplant field is because of the significant positive impact that a new organ has on patients who would often have to instead undergo repeated rounds of dialysis to clean their blood.

“A kidney transplant offers patients with advanced kidney disease a chance to regain their life back,” she says.

As the program director of the Transplant Nephrology Fellowship at VCU’s Department of Internal Medicine, Kamal teaches and guides the next generation of kidney transplant providers. In her medical practice, she works with surgeons, pharmacists, social workers, nurses, transplant coordinators and many others to provide the best possible care for each patient she treats. 

Kamal considers each patient as the key part of the care team and speaks plainly with them about their medical issues and the steps needed to improve their health.

Attention to detail, teamwork and the ability to manage complex medical conditions are necessary skills in her field, Kamal says, as well as constantly being empathetic to patients needs and commitment to providing the best patient care at all times through continuous medical education,” she adds.

Advice to Patients

“Be your strongest self-advocate. Stay informed, ask questions and share your concerns with your doctor and your team. Go to every follow-up appointment and take your medications. Seek help and support from your loved ones and take care of your emotional well-being.”

Research Interests

Clinical research focused on improving access to transplantation and improving post-transplant outcomes.