Hot Topics in Kidney Health

New way to get involved in research

In this episode, we talk about the NKF Patient Network, an online registry for kidney patients at any stage of kidney disease. This network is an exciting new and easy way to for patients to be part of the effort to improve the lives of people affected by kidney disease everywhere. 

 

In this episode, you will hear from:

 

Dr. Kerry Willis:

Dr. Kerry Willis is Chief Scientific Officer at the National Kidney Foundation and co-developer of the Patient Network. Dr. Willis received her PhD in Molecular Genetics from New York University Medical Center and has been with NKF since 1998. She founded NKF's Medical Activities division and made it a priority to identify and apply the best science available to improve kidney disease patient care and outcomes.

 

Dr. Lesley Inker:

Lesley A. Inker, MD, MS is a nephrologist who serves as Director of the Kidney and Blood Pressure Center and Director of the Kidney Function and Evaluation Center at Tufts Medical Center. She is also chair of the NKF Patient Network Steering Committee. Dr. Inker’s research has established her as an expert in the implementation of estimated glomerular filtration rate by clinical laboratories, as well as an expert in estimating and measuring kidney function.

 

Dr. Alex Chang:

Dr. Alexander Chang is a nephrologist, assistant professor of Clinical Research and co-director of the Kidney Health Research Institute at Geisinger. He is engaged in research dedicated to preventing and delaying CKD progression and its complications. His research areas include interventional studies focused on improving lifestyle behaviors in patients with hypertension and patients with early CKD; using observational data from Geisinger and other large cohorts to identify potential avenues to improve management of CKD and hypertension; and health system interventions to improve early recognition and optimized management of early kidney disease. Dr. Alex Chang also serves as NKF Patient Network PI for Geisinger site.

 

Curtis Warfield:

Curtis Warfield is a kidney patient and patient stakeholder on the Patient Network Advisory Committee. In 2012 he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to FSGS. In 2016, he received a kidney from his daughter’s college sorority sister. Curtis, a passionate advocate for CKD, organ donation and living donors provides peer counseling with the NKF Peer Program. He also serves as member of NKF’s Kidney Advocacy Committee, where he advocates with members of Congress for kidney and organ donor issues.

 

Cari Maxwell:

Cari Maxwell is a kidney patient and patient stakeholder on the Patient Network Advisory Committee.  She was diagnosed with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in 1989 and has been an active supporter of the National Kidney Foundation. She hopes that through her commitment to the awareness of chronic kidney diseases, others will take an active role in their health journey through early detection, healthy choices, and becoming a strong voice themselves in advocating for those that cannot.

 

Learn more about the NKF Patient Network by visiting www.kidney.org/nkfpatientnetwork.

Is mobile health the way of the future?

In the COVID era, telehealth has become a suddenly normal part of our lives. How is this impacting kidney patients and what implications does it have for the future of kidney care? We sat down with researcher Dr. Sarah Schrauben to discuss her recently published article on Mobile Health Technology in NKF’s American Journal of Kidney Disease (AJKD).

 

In this episode, you will hear from:

 

Dr. Sarah Schrauben:

Dr. Schrauben is a researcher and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Division of Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension, and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics at the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Schrauben's research focuses on the impact of health behaviors and modifiable risk factors in the development and management of chronic kidney disease and its complications, as well as addressing implementation gaps of evidence-based care in CKD.

 

The episode is moderated by NKF patient advocate Jessica Washington. Jessica was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease in 2019. She has been extremely motivated to advocate for the National Kidney Foundation to help others fight for better understanding, awareness, support, and anything else she can do to make it easier for so many out there dealing with this disease.

 

Learn more about Dr. Schrauben’s research by visiting www.kidney.org/newsletter/are-mobile-apps-wave-future-kidney-care.

The latest in COVID-19 vaccines for kidney patients

Many people are facing pandemic fatigue, but thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine the "new normal" may be right around the corner. We sat down during a recent Facebook Live event to answer patient questions about the vaccine and pandemic fatigue. 

 

In this episode, you will hear from:

 

Dr. Frita Fisher:
Dr. Frita is the founder and president of her own nephrology practice (Midtown Atlanta Nephrology, P.C.), and the medical director of a non-profit dialysis unit.  She now spreads her medical knowledge as a medical expert commentator, and has appeared as a medical expert on shows such as 11 Alive News NBC, the Emmy Award Winning Paternity Court, and others. Her YouTube channel (Dr. Frita) has over 270,000 subscribers. 

 

Gary Petingola, MSW, RSW:

Gary has received formal training with Dr. Jon Kabat- Zinn, founder of The Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; the Centre for Mindfulness Ireland; the OMEGA Institute for Holistic Studies; Shambhala Mountain Center; the Harvard Medical School; and the Community for Mindful Living. Gary has recently published his first book titled The Response – Practicing Mindfulness In Your Daily Life. 

 

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines for kidney patients, visit www.kidney.org/coronavirus/vaccines-kidney-disease