Hot Topics in Kidney Health

Discover expert insights on kidney stone prevention and management in this podcast episode featuring a physician, dietitian, pharmacist, and patient. Learn about key kidney stone risk factors and explore how dietary adjustments can reduce stone recurrence. Experts discuss fluid intake strategies, medication considerations, surgical indications, and even unconventional questions about roller coasters’ impact on stone passage. Tune in for actionable advice, myth-busting discussions, and interprofessional perspectives.   On today's episode we heard from: Melanie Betz, MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND is a nationally recognized renal dietitian and the Founder & CEO of The Kidney Dietitian. She is a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition and a Fellow of both the National Kidney Foundation and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Melanie has published extensively on kidney stone prevention and nutrition, and has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences on the topic. Through her clinical work, research, and educational outreach, she is dedicated to helping patients and professionals understand the critical role of diet in kidney health. Mark Garofoli, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, CPE, CTTS is a Clinical Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a Clinical Pain & Addiction Pharmacist. With expertise in pain management, substance use disorders, and geriatric care, he brings both clinical and personal perspectives to kidney stone discussions. Mark has shared his experience through the Pain Pod podcast, PAINWeek presentations, and a published article detailing his own kidney stone journey. Mary Raines, CRA is a retired clinical research associate with more than 30 years of experience in medical research. After learning she needed a kidney transplant, she dedicated herself to advocacy and now serves as a Patient Advocate with the National Kidney Foundation and other kidney health organizations. Mary brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work, amplifying the voices and needs of people living with kidney disease. Andrew Rule, MD, MSc is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He divides his time between clinical care, research, and education, with a particular focus on kidney stone disease and its link to chronic kidney disease. Dr. Rule has published extensively on the epidemiology of kidney stones and provides specialized care in the Mayo Clinic’s nephrology stone clinic. Bryan Tucker, DO, MS, FASN is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he serves as a clinician educator teaching medical students, residents, and fellows while caring for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University and completed his nephrology fellowship at Yale. A Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Tucker has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is an active contributor to The Kidney Commute podcast.   Additional Resources: Kidney Stone Information Earn CME Credit Here Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

This NKF Live crossover episode features a discussion on shared decision making on medical treatment options for people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Our faculty includes a patient expert and advocate -- the actor and Substack author, Taylor Coffman, as well as two nephrologists, Holly Koncicki, MD and Ramy Hanna, MD, an expert on aHUS. They’ll cover a range of topics, with a focus on how to work with your medical team to achieve the best outcomes in aHUS. This discussion provides valuable tips and information not only for people with aHUS, but for all others who wish to gain insight into how to work with the most effectively with their medical team.   In today's episode we heard from: Taylor Coffman is an actor, writer, podcast-maker, and mother with pregnancy-triggered aHUS. As a performer, she can be seen in Silicon Valley, Feud: Bette and Joan, and Life In Pieces, among others. Following her remission, Taylor also started work as a patient advocate helping those with life-changing diagnoses. She’s a patient expert and the author of Rare Disease Girl substack, sharing her journey and life-navigation tools weekly Dr. Ramy Hanna ia an Associate Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at the University of California Irvine. He’s a clinician-educator who’s devoted to patient education and research on kidney diseases like aHUS. Dr. Hanna is focused on working with underserved communities, as well as improving the diagnostic process and treatment outcomes for patients. Dr. Holly Koncicki graduated from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowship training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Palliative Medicine and Hospice. She is one of a few physicians who has trained in an integrated program of Nephrology and Palliative Medicine and is part of a small group of experts in this field. Though she cares for patients with all types of kidney problems, her specialty is caring for older patients with kidney impairment. She is widely published and has spoken nationally on topics including decision making in advanced kidney disease and symptom management. Her research focuses on communication tools to improve communication between patients and providers around discussion of treatment options for kidney disease. In 2020, she was honored by receiving the Cullman Family Physician Communication Award.  She prides herself in learning each patient’s narrative that she treats, so she can best understand how to care for them.   Additional Resources: Learn More About aHUS   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic were designed to treat diabetes—but they’re quickly becoming known for weight loss and possible kidney benefits. Kidney doctor Holly Kramer and kidney patients Patrick Gee, and Jane DeMeis, are here to break down what these medications are, how they work, and what people with kidney disease need to know.   In today's episode we heard from: Holly Kramer, M.D., MPH, is a practicing nephrologist who conducts research connecting nutrition and kidney health. Her connection to the National Kidney Foundation was inspired by her mom, who was a dialysis nurse and helped create some of the first dialysis units in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Kramer finds being on the NKF Board important, because it is the largest, patient-centered organization focusing on kidney disease. Her long-term goal is to increase national funding for kidney disease research and to heighten awareness about chronic kidney disease. Jane DeMeis  became involved with the National Kidney Foundation when she was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 kidney disease. She is currently on home hemodialysis and the transplant waitlist. Ms. DeMeis was the Director of Education and Organizational Development for U R Medicine Home Care. Part of her responsibilities was working with clinicians in teaching them how to present education to patients. She also was the Chairperson of the Patient Family Centered Care program and worked with improving home care through patient advocacy.  In 2018, Ms. DeMeis retired. She had been fighting CKD along with Psoriatic Arthritis for many years and needed to focus on her health.  She currently serves as a member of NKF's Kidney Advocacy Committee, as an Ambassador for NKF's online communities, and also as a NKF Peer mentor. Her other volunteer activities include being on the Board of the Perinton Food Shelf and working with clients as the Lead Verifier.  She and her husband sing with the Perinton Senior Chorus and enjoy working in their garden. Patrick Gee is a Community Activist, fighting against systemic issues such as poverty, social and racial injustices, criminal justice reform, and education reform. Patrick worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where during his time in service, he acquired several awards and recognitions. In April 2013, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage 3b End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). He began doing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) in December 2013. On April 21, 2017, Patrick received a kidney transplant. Patrick has been very passionate in his pursuit to speak on behalf of the underserved, undervalued, and disenfranchised communities of color. Because of this, he serves as an advocate and kidney patient expert for a number of organizations including the NKF, CMS, FDA, KHI, AKF, AAKP and HDU.  Patrick was the 2025 winner of NKF's Celeste Lee Castillo Patient Engagement Award.    Additional Resources: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists NKF Supports Proposal to Expand Access to Weight-Loss Medications   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Imagine you’ve been on the kidney transplant waitlist for years, hoping for a second chance at life. Then, one day, you find out that your estimated wait time was longer than it should have been—not because of your health, but because your kidney function was calculated using a race coefficient. That was the reality Black kidney patients faced. Now, that’s changing. Dr. Vinay Nair, the Medical Director at North Shore University Hospital and Northwell Health, Morgan Reid, NKF’s former Senior Transplant Policy and Strategy Director, and two kidney warriors Michele Bibby and Brittany Dickerson are here to break down the impact of removing race from eGFR and what that means for transplant patients   In today's episode we spoke to:  Dr. Vinay Nair, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell and the medical director of kidney transplantation for Northwell Health. Dr. Nair’s clinical and research interests include novel immunosuppressive protocols, kidney paired exchange and infectious and malignant complications after transplantation. He serves as part of CERCA (coalition to end racism in clinical algorithms), the editorial board and reviewer of several nephrology and transplant journals, and has served in the UNOS kidney transplantation committee. Dr. Nair has published on various transplant related topics and co-authored book chapters on immunosuppression and post-transplant malignancy. He is an advocate for equality in medicine and has spoken at several community outreach events on the importance of chronic kidney disease recognition and kidney transplantation. Michele Bibby is President of MAB Consulting Services. Michele provides mental health education, advocacy, and policy analysis to public and private entities. Michele designs and delivers mental health workshops and training.  Michele delivers public speeches and presentations on mental health topics. Michele Bibby previously enjoyed a successful career in Human Resources Management in the Private and Public Sector.  Michele has a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification. Michele is a Certified Peer Specialist and a Certified Mediator. Michele serves as Board Chair for Via Hope a Texas Mental Health Nonprofit.  Michele also serves on the National Kidney Foundation “Kidney Advocacy Committee” and the “Health Equity Sub Committee”. Michele holds a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin (1984).  Morgan Reid is the Regional Patient Advocacy Manager for Ardelyx, Inc.  Previously, she worked at the National Kidney Foundation as the Senior Director of Healthcare Policy and Strategy. She is a tireless patient advocate and also a kidney recipient herself. Brittany Dickerson- I am a dedicated mother, motivational speaker, and compassionate life coach living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). I use my kidney failure battle to educate and help others regarding kidney disease and transplantation. My personal journey has fueled my passion for helping others navigate life's challenges with courage and grace. Through partnership with the National Kidney Foundation, I have had the opportunity to mentor others and to be a guest for the National Kidney Foundation Podcast channel. My dedication to kidney awareness has led me to pursue becoming a National Kidney Foundation Advocate. I use my voice to spread my powerful message of perseverance and hope. My goal is to continue making an impact on individuals facing adversity, offering guidance, support, and being a shining example of strength in the face of hardship.    Additional Resources: Removing Race-Based eGFR   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Did you know that people who have received a kidney transplant are at a much higher risk for skin cancer? We sat down with experts to discuss how you can lower your risk. In this episode we heard from: Dr. Cerrene Giordano is a dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgeon at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. She specializes in treating skin cancers, particularly in patients who are high risk such as those who have received organ transplants, have weakened immune systems, or a genetic predisposition to skin cancer development. Her expertise includes skin cancer surgery, wound reconstruction, and the management of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, to name a few. Dr. Giordano is also involved in research aimed at improving pain management following dermatologic surgeries and exploring advanced imaging techniques to enhance surgical outcomes. Kent Bressler is a retired RN who was diagnosed with FSGS in 1984, and received a living donor transplant from his brother Kip in 1987. Kent is an active advocate for preemptive kidney transplant and has on the recommendation of NKF worked closely with the DoD and PCORI as a consumer peer reviewer. He is an NKF peer mentor and advocate who has collaborated on an editorial “Change in Albuminuria and GFR as End Points for Clinical Trials in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease,” published in AJKD in 2019. He will also be participating in the development of the new NKF Patient Network serving on the Data Input and Integration Committee. He has been an active hill advocate for the NKF for six years and was the proud recipient of the 2017 Richard K. Salick Advocacy Award. Kent is also an Army Veteran and retired from the Veterans administration as an RN. He is the co-founder of Kidney Solutions a not for profit program in Texas that assists patients and families in the transplant process and in finding a donor. He is currently an assistant team leader for Region 7. Kent and Cathy Bressler have been married for 56 years and their family consists of Gretchen and Todd Rossington and their son Colt and Celeste and Alex Brown and their children John Banks, Catherine and Alexis Brown. Risa Simon is a passionate author, speaker, mentor, kidney patient coach and advocate. As the founder and CEO of The Proactive Path and the TransplantFirst Academy, her mission is to help all kidney disease patients advocate for their best life possible—the life she now lives. As a preemptive kidney transplant recipient, Risa was able to circumvent the need for dialysis. This is her hope for all eligible kidney patients. Risa gives back a good portion of her time by serving on various advisory committees, such as the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF’s) Kidney Action committee, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) program and convention committees and she chairs the Phoenix Chapter’s Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) education committee.  She is also a member of the PKD Legacy Society and serves as a Peer Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Risa’s message is all about empowering kidney patients to bring their voice to life.    Additional Resources: Dr. Cerrene Giordano Protect the Skin You're In Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Potassium is an essential mineral, but it is important to make sure you have the right amount. Tune in and hear from experts on how high potassium (hyperkalemia) can impact health and it’s risk in people with advanced chronic kidney disease. In this episode we heard from:  Briana Douglas is currently a Peer Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation. At 17 yrs old, she was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis. She was then diagnosed with end stage 5 kidney disease, in 2016, and immediately had to start dialysis. After starting hemo dialysis, she remained on treatment for 7 years, experiencing home hemo, peritoneal, nocturnal and in center-hemo dialysis. In 2024, she received a kidney transplant and is now living really well with her new transplant. She also takes pride in being a peer Mentor for NKF to help others with similar experiences. Dr. Pascale Khairallah, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She specializes in chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation. Dr. Khairallah has been recognized with multiple awards for excellence in patient care and teaching. She has multiple publications in the field of chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorders and kidney transplant outcomes. Annabel Biruete is an Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University and an Affiliate in the Division of Nephrology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Her broad clinical interest is nutrition in kidney diseases. Her research aims to study the effects of nutritional and pharmacological therapies for chronic kidney disease on the gastrointestinal tract and gut microbiome. Additionally, she is interested in improving outcomes in the Hispanic/Latine community living with chronic kidney disease, primarily through language- and culturally-concordant interventions.   Additional Resources: High Potassium Information   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

What does feeling truly seen and supported mean in your health care? For many LGBTQIA+ people with kidney disease, the answer isn’t simple. Jess Walters is a mixed-media artist, Board Certified Patient Advocate, and independent scholar living with a kidney transplant. Marissa is the Patient Programs Director at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and a social worker working to make kidney care more inclusive. Together, they share what supportive care and community look like and why they matter. In today's episode we heard from: Jess Walters (they/them) is a mixed-media artist, Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), and independent scholar from Charlottesville, Virginia. They are a multiply-neurodivergent, queer, nonbinary person with Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which caused late-onset deafness and kidney failure at age 29. In 2018, after undergoing two months of peritoneal dialysis, Walters received a kidney transplant from a living donor at the University of Virginia, where they currently serve as an inaugural FusionLab Arts Research Fellow at the Center for Health Humanities and Ethics in the School of Medicine. Their research focuses on the intersections of art and health, navigating accommodations in cultural arts spaces to promote individual and community wellbeing by including disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill participation and perspectives. They regularly participate in Kidney Patient Summits with the National Kidney Foundation and have served as a member of their Diversity & Health Equity Advisory Committee for 4 years. Marissa Argentina, LMSW is a licensed social worker who has been in the field of nephrology since 2010. She has worked for the National Kidney Foundation since 2015 and has been working on the NKF Peers program 2017. She is currently the Patient Programs Director at the National Kidney Foundation. She had previously worked as a dialysis center social worker in the Bronx, NY.   Additional Resources: The Impact of Unequal Care for LGBTQ+ Kidney Patients NKF Online Community: LGBTQIA NKF Peers Jess Walters Art Rivanna Area Queer Center New City Arts Initiative   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

In a time when the hope of surviving kidney failure was rare, one family refused to give up. Pulitzer prize winning journalist, Maura Casey recounts her sister's fight for life in the 1960s and the legacy of hope it left behind.  In today's episode we heard from: Maura Casey grew up in an Irish-American family in Buffalo, New York, the youngest of six children. For more than 30 years, Casey was an opinion writer for three New England newspapers and The New York Times, where she had a seat on the exalted Times editorial board. Over the course of her career, Casey won 45 state, regional and national awards for her writing. She and her husband Pete have two adult children and two grandchildren. They live on a small Connecticut farm with their two dogs and a barn cat. Casey writes a weekly column, Casey’s Catch, and when the breeze is right, she coasts on Long Island Sound in her sailboat, Second Wind. “Saving Ellen” (Skyhorse Publishing, April 1, 2025) is her first book.   Additional Resources: Saving Ellen; A Memoir of Hope and Recovery   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Care partners—whether family, friends, or close loved ones—are the quiet champions who help manage medications, attend appointments, offer emotional support, and walk beside patients every step of the way. But what does that look like day-to-day? And how can care partners find the support they need, too? In today's episode we heard from:  Ruthie Eastman is a former massage therapist and office administrator.  She is passionate about health and exercise and rides her three-wheel assisted tricycle regularly.  She is a new NKF Peer Mentor for Care Partners. Jim Eastman has experienced two life-changing issues where Ruthie provided the role of Care Partner.  A traumatic brain injury in 1990 established a basis and need for care for Jim.  While bumpy in the beginning, we worked it out in couple’s therapy.  When CKD entered our lives, the patient/care partner dynamic had been experienced.  Three years of PD and eight years post-transplant, Ruthie continues to be a Care Partner extraordinaire! Michelle Rowlett, MSW, LICSW is a dedicated nephrology social worker with 25 years of healthcare experience, including 16 years in kidney care. She currently serves as Social Work Supervisor and CKD Program Lead at Puget Sound Kidney Centers, supporting patients and families through chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and major life transitions. Additional Resources: Life Stress Inventory NKF Peers   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

In celebration of Donate Life month, we are sharing a special crossover episode from NKF’s Life as a Nephrology Professional podcast. Tune in and hear from three living kidney donors as they discuss the power of living donation and kidney advocacy. Host: Anna Gaddy, MD, FASN, FNKF Guests: Lauren Drew, JD, Beth Burbridge   Additional Resources: Becoming a Living Donor NKF Advocacy   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Did you know that patient registries play a vital role in improving kidney disease treatment and outcomes? In this episode, we’re diving into the KidneyCARE Study—a patient registry that uses real-world data to better care for people with kidney disease. We sat down with experts as they explained what a patient registry is and why people with kidney disease may want to join the KidneyCARE Study. In today's episode we heard from:    Kerry K. Willis PhD- Dr Willis is the Chief Scientific Officer of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Since joining NKF in 1998, her major focus has been on the analysis and application of clinical evidence to improve care and outcomes for people living with kidney disease. She oversees all NKF-sponsored research and professional education programs, including the Spring Clinical Meetings; population health programs that facilitate health system and practice engagement around CKD as a quality improvement target; the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) clinical practice guidelines; KDOQI quality measurement initiative; and four peer-reviewed journals devoted to chronic kidney disease. She led the development of and currently manages the Kidney CARE (Community Access to Research Equity) Study, the first national CKD patient registry to combine patient-reported data with clinical data from electronic health records.     Rachel Claudin, BS, CCLS- Rachel Claudin is the Patient-Centered Research Director at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Her main work for the past three years has been focused on the advancement of the KidneyCARE Study. As a person living with Lupus Nephritis, she is excited for the patient-entered data collected by the Study to increase and improve kidney care research. Previous to the NKF, Rachel worked in hospital and hospice settings advocating for patients utilizing the shared decision-making model of healthcare. Cari Maxwell- Cari has lived with Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) since 1989, and her personal experience, along with the experiences of her father and two siblings, fuels her advocacy for advancements in PKD treatment. She participated in the Tolvaptan Reprise trial, which led to the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for ADPKD—a treatment she continues to benefit from today. As a member of the NKF Kidney Advocacy Committee, Cari is passionate about promoting patient education, early detection, and scientific progress through patient-centered clinical research. She is dedicated to ensuring that others have access to life-changing treatments and are empowered to advocate for their health through proactive care. Cari currently works in health care cost containment strategies, where she applies her expertise to enhance patient access and outcomes. Sandy Gilbert PhD- Sandy Gilbert is the Senior Director of Patient Outcomes Research at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), where she manages the KidneyCARE (Community Access to Research Equity)™ Study. Since joining NKF in 2024, her focus has been on developing and overseeing this pioneering national kidney disease patient registry, the first to integrate patient-reported data with clinical data from electronic health records. The goal of the Registry is to generate critical insights into disease progression, treatment outcomes, and health disparities, in support of NKF’s mission to improve kidney health and drive innovation in kidney research and healthcare. Sandy works closely with teams of researchers and health system partners to expand the study’s reach and ensure that it reflects the needs of diverse patient populations, including those from underserved communities. Additional Resources: KidneyCare Study Information Contact Information: Call: 212.889.2210 ext.134 M-F 10am-4pm CT  Email: kidneycarestudy@kidney.org   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Most people who go to in center hemodialysis require lifestyle adjustments to help them get the most out of their treatment while enjoying life. In this episode of Hot Topics in Kidney Health, we visit a hemodialysis center to hear from patients and professionals about what it's like to live on dialysis. In today's episode we heard from:  Michelle Massey, PCT Cassandra Watkins, Hemodialysis patient Reginald Gramling, Hemodialysis patient Gurley Benson, Charge Nurse at dialysis center Ebony McKinley, Dialysis social worker Belinda Benbow, Dialysis Facility Administrator William Henderson, Regional Vice President of Operations for the Capital Division for U.S. Renal Care Additional Resources: Hemodialysis Information Find Support with NKF Peers   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

There's a common misconception that people on home dialysis can't have pets. But that's just a myth. Professor Cameron Wolfe, a transplant infectious disease specialist at Duke University, along with Keith Plummer, a transplant recipient with home hemodialysis experience, and Brittany Dickerson, an in center hemodialysis patient with experience in peritoneal dialysis are here to share how you can safely manage treatments while living with pets. Professor Cameron Wolfe is a Transplant Infectious Disease specialist at Duke University.  He was a previous Chair of the Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC), working with the federal transplant administration to ensure safe and successful transplantation in the US.  Cameron is the current secretary of the Infectious Disease section of The Transplantation Society, an international society representing transplant professionals and patients globally.  His research focusses on safe transplantation for patients and donors living with HIV and hepatitis, and managing respiratory viruses and emerging pathogens. Keith Plummer was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2010, coming out of surgery with one kidney functioning at 20 percent. Thanks to a great Nephrologist and a lot of hard work, he was able to hold off dialysis for close to a decade. Keith was on home hemodialysis for 4 years before receiving a transplant 1.5 years ago. Keith first got involved with advocacy about 6 years ago as he lobbied for the TRSA, making many visits to the state capitol to fight for industry and employees. Over his time on dialysis, Keith have moved from part time to being fully retired which has given more time to advocate. He is an advocate for the DPC and has participated in the last four fly-ins in Washington DC. He has been advocating with the NKF for the past 2 years and look forward to helping kidney patients in New York and across America. Brittany Dickerson is a dedicated mother, motivational speaker, and compassionate life coach living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). She uses her kidney failure battle to educate and help others regarding kidney disease and transplantation. Through partnership with the National Kidney Foundation, Brittany has had the opportunity to mentor others and to be a guest for the National Kidney Foundation Podcast channel. Her dedication to kidney awareness has led her to pursue becoming a National Kidney Foundation Advocate. Brittany uses her voice to spread a powerful message of perseverance and hope. Brittany's goal is to continue making an impact on individuals facing adversity, offering guidance, support, and being a shining example of strength in the face of hardship.   Additional Resources: Safe Living After Transplant Find Support with NKF Peers   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

In today’s episode, we're finishing up our series on kidney failure treatment options with a discussion on conservative care. What exactly is conservative care and who can benefit from it? Christine Corbett, Associate Chief Nursing Officer and nurse practitioner specializing in palliative care is here to answer that question and more. Sara Hicklin and Bobbie Reed who have firsthand experience with conservative care in their families are also here to share their perspectives on this treatment option. Christine Corbett, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNN-NP, FNKF is the newly appointed Assistant Research Professor at George Washington University and Executive Director for the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients. She is a practicing Nurse Practitioner specializing in kidney palliative care, and a Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Certified Practitioner. Dr. Corbett has over 25 years of nephrology experience and four years of experience in Palliative Care. Her doctoral focus was shared decision-making, advance care planning and appropriate palliative care referral for select patients with chronic kidney disease. In the past four years she developed, implemented, and managed the Comprehensive Conservative Kidney Care Clinic for patients who choose to forego dialysis at an academic safety net hospital in Kansas City. Bobbie Reed is on a mission for her son and for the millions of others living with chronic kidney disease. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Family Consumer Science degree, Bobbie is the office manager at her family's insurance business. She wants to pay it forward by helping others with their struggles in dealing with kidney disease. As part of the NKF’s Kidney Advocacy Committee, Bobbie is not only the Pennsylvania Liaison, but is the immediate past Region 2 leader for the group.  She continues to help her son navigate his kidney disease journey and, in addition, use her experience to benefit and advocate for many others afflicted with kidney disease. Sara Hicklin and her family has a genetic kidney disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease or PKD. With this family and personal history, Sara is passionate about educating others about kidney disease, along with recruiting and educating potential organ donors. She is also fascinated by the advances in treatment options in three generations and wants to contribute in a small way to what may become available for treatment of kidney disease in generations to come.   Additional Resources Coalition for Supportive Care Palliative Care Resources Palliative Care Resources Advanced Directives The Patient Will See You Now by Eric Topol Palliative Care in Nephrology Definitions from the episode: Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) Portable Medical Orders (POLST): https://polst.org/   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

High phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) is a common complication caused by chronic kidney disease. Join us for this NKF Live to learn more about why this happens and how to successfully manage high phosphorus in CKD. During this program, you will hear a kidney doctor, a clinical pharmacist, and a person living with high phosphorus discuss important information to know about when managing high phosphorus.   Dr. Jay Wish is Professor of Clinical Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and Chief Medical Officer for Outpatient Dialysis at Indiana University Health.  He is past president of the National Forum of ESRD Networks, served on the Board of Directors of the Renal Physicians Association and the American Association of Kidney Patients and was the recipient of the latter’s Visionary Award in 2005. He has over 150 articles, reviews, and book chapters published, particularly in the areas of ESRD quality oversight/improvement, accountability, anemia management and vascular access. Dr. Katie Cardone is an associate professor at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, NY. She is a clinical pharmacist with a clinical practice and research program focused on improving care in patients with kidney disease in outpatient nephrology and dialysis. She co-led the publication of pharmacy practice standards for pharmacists caring for people with kidney disease. She is a member of the Board of Pharmacy Specialties Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Council and is a fellow of the National Kidney Foundation, the American Society of Nephrology, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Quenton Turner Gee has been on in-center hemodialysis for about 2 years. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD in 2020. After a battle with COVID-19, it quickly progressed to end-stage kidney disease. Since starting on dialysis, he’s been advocating for mental health and policies improving access to transplants and kidney innovations.   Additional Resources: Phosphate Lowering Agents High Phosphorus Information NKF Peers   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Nearly 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant but there are not enough kidneys to meet this need. Altruistic kidney donors, or those who give anonymously, are relatively rare, but their numbers are growing and their impact is profound. Today we hear from one such remarkable individual, Daniel Emerson, Digital Marketing Director of National Kidney Foundation, who chose to give the gift of life to a stranger.   Dan Emerson is the Director of Digital Marketing at the National Kidney Foundation. Starting in 2018, he has worked to engage with the kidney community and provide them with resources and information to support them on their health journey. In June of 2024, Dan donated his kidney to an anonymous recipient through a non-directed donation. He lives in upstate New York with his husband and son.   Additional Resources: Dan's Story How do I donate a kidney? NKF Peers Becoming a Living Donor (Kidney Learning Center)   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Cannabis or marijuana is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States for recreational and medical use. What is cannabis? Are there benefits to using it? Is it ok for someone with kidney disease or dialysis to use it? Learn all this and more in today’s episode. Joshua Rein, DO, FASN, is a board-certified nephrologist, kidney physiologist, and certified hypertension specialist. He is an Assistant Professor in the Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in NYC and a Staff Physician at the James J. Peters, Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed internal medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and completed clinical and research nephrology fellowships at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Rein is interested in the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on kidney health and disease given their widespread growing popularity despite an uncertain impact on health. Dr. Rein’s research, funded by a Veterans Affairs Career Development Award, utilizes preclinical animal models to characterize the kidney endocannabinoid system and examine the physiological impact of cannabinoids on the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance by the kidney. His clinical research focuses on the risks, benefits, and clinical significance of cannabis consumption among people with kidney disease and those at risk for developing kidney disease.   Additional Resources: Nephrologist's Guide to Cannabis Cannabis Usage Study AJKD Blog   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Because of medical advances, kidney failure is no longer a death sentence. Today, those with kidney failure have treatment options like dialysis and kidney transplantation. Unfortunately, many aren't aware that home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis treatments are available. What is peritoneal dialysis and who can benefit from it? Today, Brittney Dickerson, dialysis patient, and Jennie Wilson, Davita's regional director of home dialysis in New York City, are here to break it down. Jennie Wilson, MSN, RN has been working in Home Dialysis for over a decade and currently oversees several centers in the New York Metro Area that provide training and care to home dialysis patients. Her interest in population health and healthy equity has led to her passion for educating patients on their dialysis modality options. She has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation on various projects to share the clinical and lifestyle benefits of home dialysis. Brittany Dickerson- I am a dedicated mother, motivational speaker, and compassionate life coach living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). I use my kidney failure battle to educate and help others regarding kidney disease and transplantation. My personal journey has fueled my passion for helping others navigate life's challenges with courage and grace. Through partnership with the National Kidney Foundation, I have had the opportunity to mentor others and to be a guest for the National Kidney Foundation Podcast channel. My dedication to kidney awareness has led me to pursue becoming a National Kidney Foundation Advocate. I use my voice to spread my powerful message of perseverance and hope. My goal is to continue making an impact on individuals facing adversity, offering guidance, support, and being a shining example of strength in the face of hardship.    Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Holidays can be difficult for individuals with CKD. Tune in to gain insight into the patient holiday experience and how professional teams can provide education for patients to ensure the best holiday outcomes.   In this reposted holiday episode we spoke with:   Dori Muench, LCSW, CCTSW, FNKF Osama El Shamy, MD Jesse Engelken, MPH, RDN, LD,CD Joyce Vergili, EdD, RD, CSR, CDN Malenia Alvarez, kidney patient Nupur Gupta, MD Elizabeth Shanaman, RD, CD, FAND Candria Denzmore, patient advocate    Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Getting a kidney transplant before starting dialysis or with little time spent on dialysis is a preferred form of kidney failure treatment. Despite that, preemptive kidney transplants are under-utilized. In today’s episode Daniella Duke, a preemptive transplant recipient, and Bethany Cruz, an Outreach Coordinator discuss this and more.   Bethany Cruz has over a decade of experience in kidney transplant education and is a dedicated outreach coordinator at the Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center in Houston, Texas. Specializing in preemptive and living donor kidney transplant education, Bethany is passionate about improving access to living donation for all patients in need of a kidney transplant. Through her work, Bethany strives to raise awareness to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by kidney disease. Daniella Duke is a chronic kidney disease patient, since childhood. Her disease became more active in her 20s, and she received a living-donor kidney transplant in 2000. In 2021, she received her second kidney transplant from a deceased donor.  Both of these transplants were pre-emptive, and Daniella has never been on dialysis. She is grateful for having been the recipient of two kidney transplants and advocates for chronic kidney disease patients to receive the care they need. In addition, Daniella is a physician, specializing in medical and surgical dermatology, has a master’s in public health, and is the proud mother of twins, Andy and Juli. Dr. Duke has navigated both her professional and personal life, blending the experiences, knowledge, and perspectives of both a physician and a chronic kidney disease/transplant patient. She deeply empathizes with the issues, concerns, and medical challenges that kidney disease patients face on a day-to-day basis.   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.