“I’ve been treated with the utmost respect from the moment I walk into Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center to the time I leave.”
When Hakeen was first told by his doctor in 2015 that something was wrong with his kidneys, he had no idea how serious it would become. “My doctor said, ‘I can’t really explain this over the phone. I need to see you in my office,’” Hakeen recalled.
That visit changed everything. Hakeen learned that his creatinine level was dangerously high. “It was around a 5,” he said. “That’s when I was referred to a kidney specialist.”
“When it comes to monitoring kidney health, creatinine levels are important indicators,” shares Kim N. Tibaldi, MD, a transplant nephrologist at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC). “Elevated creatinine levels can indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly.”
“A general creatinine level for an adult male should be near 1 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). A 5 is considered a moderate elevation, as this range is more concerning and often indicates significant kidney impairment,” Dr. Tibaldi explains. “However, anything above a 5 is considered highly alarming and typically points to advanced kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.”
Despite doctors’ best efforts to avoid dialysis by adjusting medications, Hakeen’s condition worsened. In 2016, while preparing to visit friends in Virginia, he noticed painful muscle spasms in his legs. A trip to the emergency room revealed his creatinine level spiked to 7.2. “I was admitted right away and started dialysis.”
This marked the beginning of Hakeen’s six-year journey on dialysis. He started with in-center hemodialysis for three months before switching to peritoneal dialysis for four years until an infection forced him to return to in-center dialysis in 2020. “It was a long process, but I stayed hopeful,” he shared.
On April 30, 2022, Hakeen received the call he had been waiting for. A kidney was available and he underwent a successful deceased donor transplant at CBMC. Hakeen credits much of his care and recovery to Dr. Tibaldi, “She’s one of the best,” he said. “Top-notch. I know there are other doctors on the team, but she has been with me every step of the way.”
Dr. Tibaldi shares, “Hakeen really approached the transplant process with a positive attitude and strong sense of responsibility. His mindset with his attention to care truly led to his success.”
“I’ve been treated with the utmost respect from the moment I walk into Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center to the time I leave,” he shares. “Everyone, from the receptionists to the phlebotomists, make me feel cared for.”
Today, nearly three years post-transplant, Hakeen is thriving. “I’m traveling, I’m seeing friends and family, and I’m just living my life,” he said. In 2023, he went on his first cruise.
He’s also using his experience to give back. He volunteers with the CBMC Transplant Team, speaking at the 2025 Transplant Symposium in March, and serves as a peer mentor with the Renal Network of New Jersey and the National Kidney Foundation.
“I wanted to be there for people who may not have the support system I had to help guide them through this process of dialysis and transplantation,” he explained. “Sometimes it helps to just talk to someone who’s been there and through it.”
With his 44th birthday around the corner, Hakeen is focused on enjoying life and taking care of his new kidney. “I take my medications every day and I do what I’m supposed to do,” he said with a smile. “I’m just out here enjoying this new kidney, and this new life.”
“Successful transplantation is more than just surgery. It’s about patient commitment, follow-up care, and a strong support system. Hakeen exemplifies all of that,” shares Dr. Tibaldi. “His story reminds us why we do this work. His dedication to his health and willingness to help others post-transplant is truly inspiring.”
To register as an organ donor, visit registerme.org/cbmc.
Learn more about the Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.