Roanoke Memorial Hospital will become home to the regions only and most accessible Kidney Transplant Center.

Carilion Clinic made its case to the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Certificate of Public Need on Tuesday, seeking approval to open a kidney transplant center at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Currently, the closest transplant center is located at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, a significant distance for many patients in the region.

The Virginia Department of Health’s Division of COPN has extended the deadline to make a decision on if it will allow Carilion Clinic to start a kidney transplant center in Roanoke. The state health commissioner will issue a final determination by May 9. If a decision is not made by May 9 the proposal will be automatically approved.