Last time we talked about kidney xenotransplantation, we were joined by Towana Loony and Tim Andrews, who shared their personal experiences with receiving a xenotransplant. Today, two doctors who helped propel xenotransplantation forward, Dr. Vineeta Kumar and Dr. Leonardo Riella, are here to explain the science and what comes next.

This episode is supported by eGenesis and United Therapeutics

In this episode we heard from: 

Vineeta Kumar is the lead nephrologist for UAB's Living Kidney Donor and Incompatible Kidney Transplant programs. She is an expert in kidney transplantation, living kidney donation, incompatible kidney transplant, kidney paired donation and cardiovascular outcomes after kidney transplantation. Kumar also engages in research in the prevention, treatment and prognosis of antibody mediated rejection. She has been named a "Top Doctor" by U.S. News & World Report each year since 2012.

She has been lead facilitator of the UAB Schwartz Rounds since 2009, a program that brings together nurses, physicians, social workers, and other providers to discuss delivery of compassionate care. She was awarded the Brewer-Heslin Endowed Award for Professionalism in Medicine for the highly skilled and compassionate medical care she provides to her patients. Kumar was recently named "Best Educator" by the 2018, 2019 and 2020 UAB Medical School classes. She has previously served on the Education Committee for the American Society of Transplantation.

Leonardo V. Riella, M.D., Ph.D. is the Harold and Ellen Danser Endowed Chair in Transplant Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on mechanisms of immune regulation and the development of novel therapies to promote transplant tolerance. In addressing kidney disease recurrence post-transplantation, he founded and leads the TANGO Consortium, the largest global effort dedicated to studying glomerular disease recurrence. In March 2024, Dr. Riella led the world’s first successful kidney xenotransplant from a gene-edited pig into a living human. He now leads the first FDA-approved pilot study in kidney xenotransplantation and is conducting high-dimensional immune profiling studies to characterize the human xeno-immune response and guide immunosuppressive strategies. Find out more about Dr. Riella's research here.  

Xenotransplantation Information

History is often made through science, but it is lived through people. Today, only four living people in the US have received a xenotransplant or a transplant using a gene-edited pig kidney. Two of these pioneers are here to share in their own words what it means to be part of medical history. Their stories remind us that behind every breakthrough is a person waiting, hoping, and choosing to move forward even when the path ahead is uncertain.

This episode is supported by eGenesis and United Therapeutics

In this episode we heard from: 

Tim Andrews is a pioneering kidney patient whose experience has helped shape the emerging field of xenotransplantation. A longtime resident of Concord, New Hampshire, Tim lived with end‑stage kidney disease and endured more than two years on dialysis before stepping into the unknown and signing up for a kidney xenotransplant. On January 25, 2025, he became one of the earliest recipients of a pig kidney and went on to live with the organ for a record 271 days before it was removed due to declining function, an achievement that provided valuable data for researchers around the world. After returning to dialysis, Tim continued his transplant journey and recently received a human kidney transplant, becoming the first person in this group of xenotransplant pioneers to transition from an animal organ to a human donor organ. His courage, resilience, and willingness to participate in cutting‑edge medical research have offered hope to patients facing long transplant wait times and contributed meaningful insights to the scientific community.

Towana Looney is a trailblazing kidney patient whose journey has now made history. After donating a kidney to her mother in 2000 and later developing chronic kidney disease herself, Towana began dialysis in 2016. As a highly sensitized patient with 100% antibodies, she was told she would never qualify for a human kidney transplant. In 2024, Towana was offered a rare and groundbreaking opportunity: to receive a genetically modified pig kidney. She bravely said yes, becoming one of the earliest recipients of a kidney xenotransplant and helping open the door to a new era in transplantation. Towana lived with the xenokidney for 130 days before it was removed. While she has returned to dialysis, her courage has given hope to patients everywhere and invaluable scientific knowledge to the researchers advancing xenotransplantation.

Xenotransplantation Information

A recent online survey of more than 10,000 transplant recipients across the U.S. and Canada found that ninety-two percent had side effects from their immunosuppressive medications. And while most patients trust their care teams, one in four skips doses because of their side effects.  Four in ten skip due to cost. Today, I’m joined by Anne Bina, a kidney transplant recipient, and Nurse Practitioner, Nicole McCormick, to discuss the importance of immunosuppressive or anti-rejection medications and how to manage side effects associated with them. 

In this episode we heard from:

Nicole McCormick is a Nurse Practitioner with AdventHealth Porter Transplant Institute in Denver, CO. She has been working in Transplant Nephrology since 2015, and she worked as a heart transplant coordinator starting in 2012. Nicole attended the University of Colorado for her Doctor of Nursing Practice as well as her Master’s, and she received her Bachelor of Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies. She enjoys strength training and teaches yoga in her community. Nicole is an avid reader and lifelong student.

Anne Bina-I live in Casper, WY but I was born and raised in WI.  When I was 9 I had strep throat and a couple months later I was in the hospital with nephritis.  Doctors told my parents that it could reoccur later in my life.  I attended the University of WI where I met my husband.  He was in the Air Force ROTC, so after we graduated he began his military career. I was blessed with two daughters - Jenny & Kris. Some 30 years later (1992)my husband was stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO.  I had just completed my master’s degree, and I was diagnosed with kidney failure with FSGS - all related back to my case of strep. My husband retired from the Air Force in 1998 and we returned to WI. I was placed on the UNOS Transplant list in 1998 at U of WI Transplant Center.  By August of 1999, my kidney function had gotten to the point that it it was time to start dialysis. For me at least, I was only on dialysis for less than 2 months when a coordinator from U of Wisconsin called me on Oct 15th 1999 that they had a kidney for me.  She told me that my donor was a 16 year old that had been involved in a car accident.  Later, I received a picture of “Ryan” my donor, from his family.  He is indeed my HERO! Here I am almost 26 years later - LIFE IS GOOD! From 2008 till we moved to Casper in 2016 , I was the Director of a non-profit helping seniors in the Milwaukee area.  And for the last 20 years I have been trying to “give back” by being a volunteer and public speaker, first in Wisconsin with the WI Donor Network and now here in Wyoming with the WY Donor Alliance.  I have also become active with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).  Besides being an Ambassador with their on-line site, HealthUnlocked;  I have also become a Kidney Advocate.  This has involved working with the Wyoming Legislature trying to get the “Living Donor Protection Act”(LDPA) passed.  Governor Gordon signed it into WY Law on February 24, 2023.

Transplant Information  

 Therapeutic needs in solid organ transplant recipients: The American Society of Transplantation patient survey

When it comes to kidney health, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Today, we’re exploring how mental health support can improve your overall well-being and breaking the stigma around therapy and medications.

 In this episode we heard from:

Lydia Johnson, MSW -Lydia is a social worker based in Massachusetts. They previously worked in direct care as a dialysis social worker and now serve at the national level as a leader in support of home dialysis social workers and the growth of home dialysis in the kidney care community.

Malkia White -Malkia was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy when she was only 6 years old.  In 2017, she began doing nocturnal dialysis for 3 years, 3 nights a week from 9pm – 3am while maintaining a full-time job. In November of 2021 she received a kidney transplant. She celebrates life by continuing to advocate for kidney health and shares her story to encourage people and give others hope.

Shannon Glynn -Shannon Glynn is committed to having face-to-face conversations and dialogue to champion the issues central to the National Kidney Foundation mission. She received her life-saving kidney from her friend Molly in March of 2009 after being on peritoneal dialysis for seven months. And while Shannon thinks that petitions championing the issues are important, she wants to meet with representatives to discuss the concerns surrounding kidney issues today so that they can take action. Shannon believes that care and coverage are essential for transplant patients. She is passionate about the intersection of mental health, kidney disease, and overall wellness.   

NKF Peers

According to a 2024 World Health Organization study, over the last 50 years vaccines have saved over 154 million lives worldwide from over 20 life threatening diseases. As vaccines are facing skepticism, we are here to cut through the noise and lay out the facts as to why staying up-to-date on vaccinations is especially important for kidney patients.

This episode is supported by Moderna. 

In today's episode we heard from: 

Mary Baliker has been a dedicated healthcare advocate for the past 40 years, and is involved in several kidney initiatives regionally, nationally and globally. Mary was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of nine and since then has undergone hemodialysis and received four kidney transplants. As a result of this life-long journey, Mary cherishes her life and possesses a strong desire to help improve the healthcare experience, health outcomes and quality of life for patients with kidney disease. In addition to publishing multiple peer reviewed articles related to the kidney patient experience, Mary is the author of Maria Never Gives Up, a story written to help children and families facing chronic illnesses. Her book is distributed across transplant and dialysis centers nationwide and is available for purchase online

William Werbel, MD, PhD is a transplant infectious diseases physician and scientist at Johns Hopkins focused on optimizing protection against infections in immunocompromised persons. He completed clinical and research fellowship in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins following MD training at the University of Michigan and internal medicine residency and chief residency at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. He is the current Associate Director for Epidemiology and Quantitative Sciences in the Johns Hopkins Transplant Research Center and principal investigator of the national Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) cohort study. He receives NIH funding to study the landscape of infections in transplant recipients and evaluate the real-world impact of vaccination using a combination of epidemiological and laboratory approaches.

Additional Resources:

Vaccines for CKD Patients

Vaccine Integrity Project

IDSA Immunization Resources

Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) Study

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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

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

Mary Raines, CRA is a retired clinical research associate with more than 30 years of

Andrew Rule, MD, MSc is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Mayo

Bryan Tucker, DO, MS, FASN is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Baylor College

Additional Resources:

Kidney Stone Information

Earn CME Credit Here

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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

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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

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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

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