In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart speaks with Alex Berrios, a long-time kidney disease patient and advocate, about his journey navigating the challenges of chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation. Alex candidly discusses the physical, emotional, and logistical hurdles of managing his condition, as well as the critical role of family and community support. He also shares his ongoing efforts to secure a second kidney transplant, including participating in clinical trials and exploring innovative solutions like xenotransplantation.

As a patient support coordinator at Interwell Health, Alex discusses how he uses his lived experience to connect with and support other kidney patients. He emphasizes the importance of patient education and ensuring that patients feel heard and understood.

Watch the full episode to hear Alex’s inspiring story and learn what his experiences reveal about the future of kidney-centered value-based care.

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections sheds light on systemic disparities in kidney care and the critical shift toward a race-neutral estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation. Dr. Amaka Eneanya, adjunct professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, discusses the historical use of race in the original eGFR equation, which disproportionately affected Black patients by assigning them higher kidney function levels based solely on race. This flawed approach led to delays in diagnoses, restricted access to nephrology care, and postponed eligibility for kidney transplants.

Dr. Eneanya helped lead the charge for the adoption of a race-neutral eGFR equation. In this discussion, she highlights the positive impact of this change on early intervention and access to treatment for Black Americans. She also shares actionable steps for labs, health plans, and providers to continue to drive adoption of race-neutral kidney disease testing and treatment.

Learn why the shift to a race-neutral eGFR equation matters and how it’s reshaping kidney care. Watch the full episode now.

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections highlights the potential of xenotransplantation to one day address the kidney shortage. Dr. Jay Fishman, a leader in transplant infectious disease at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discusses the scientific advances making pig-to-human kidney xenotransplants possible. He also explores the future of xenotransplantation and its potential to complement traditional organ donation, particularly for urgent or complex cases.

The conversation also covers other forms of innovation paving the way for safer and more effective transplant options, such as new technologies to preserve donated kidneys. These innovations could transform care delivery, offering scalable solutions to meet the growing demand for transplants.

Don’t miss this conversation on innovation, science, and hope for patients. Watch or listen to the full episode of Kidney Health Connections now.

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Do patients realize the difference between traditional care models and the support and services they receive as part of a value-based approach to care? Dr. George Hart and Jennifer Huneycutt, executive director at Metrolina Nephrology Associates, explore what it takes to create healthcare models that genuinely serve patient needs—not just check boxes. This candid conversation reveals the often-overlooked complexities of balancing value-based care and fee-for-service, and why educating and empowering patients is essential for better outcomes.

 This episode of Kidney Health Connections also covers the value of comprehensive training programs to equip advanced practice providers (APPs) with the latest clinical knowledge and tools to deliver high-quality care. Jennifer shares lessons learned from Metrolina’s structured approach to APP onboarding and training and how the practice sets patient expectations on the role APPs will play in their care. 

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This special episode of Kidney Health Connections includes exclusive highlights from the 2025 Renal Physicians Association (RPA) Annual Meeting, where nephrology professionals gathered to discuss innovation, collaboration, and the future of kidney care. From value-based kidney care models to the role of AI technology in combating clinician burnout to the importance of culture in building successful nephrology practices, this episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking perspectives from the leaders on the front lines of kidney care. 

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How do we build a safety net for millions of Americans living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who don’t have the care and support they need to manage this complex, degenerative condition? Unfortunately, a large portion of CKD patients either lack access to a nephrologist or remain unaware of their condition, leading to more severe health complications over time. In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. Julie Dominguez, Interwell Health medical director, dives into the critical role of nephrologists in improving patient outcomes and explores innovative solutions to bridge the care gap in settings where patients don’t have a nephrologist.

To create a comprehensive kidney care safety net—especially in the face of an ongoing nephrologist shortage—Dr. Dominguez shares how Interwell Health works to connect patients with local providers and, when needed, leverages advanced practice providers (APPs) and telehealth to provide focused interim care. She also discusses the role of technology, including predictive analytics and electronic health records, in identifying patients in need of additional support and creating seamless care transitions. 

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections explores how to support physicians in the transition to value-based care. Sharing his perspective shaped by decades of experience in nephrology and healthcare technology, Interwell Health Senior Vice President Dr. Terry Ketchersid walks through the wins and hurdles nephrologists have experienced over the last decade, and the importance of creating incentives that work in both fee-for-service and value-based care models as practices navigate this evolving landscape. 

During the conversation, Dr. Ketchersid discusses how value-based care programs become “the tide that's raising all boats” as practices translate strategies such as comprehensive patient education across their patient populations. As the co-leader of Interwell's Acumen Epic Connect electronic health record, he also touches on the value of data analytics, spotlighting the role of EHRs in streamlining workflows and enabling better patient outcomes, and the importance of distributing best practices to ensure more physicians can succeed on the road to value-based care.

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Alex Azar, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a board member at Interwell Health, joined Kidney Health Connections to share his personal connection to chronic kidney disease (CKD) through his father’s experience and reflect on the aims and impact of the Advancing American Kidney Health (AAKH) initiative he spearheaded. Azar explains how value-based models aim to improve CKD management by fixing incentive structures and rewarding quality outcomes—including slowed CKD progression, increased optimal starts, and higher transplant rates. He also offers his predictions on whether the new administration will continue to support the ongoing shift to value-based kidney care.

This episode explores key topics including how the laws of economics have shaped our current healthcare system, Medicare’s influence on healthcare payment models, and the growing pains that come with large-scale healthcare transformation. With a focus on early intervention, patient-centered care, and innovative technologies, Azar shares his optimism for the future of kidney care in the United States.

Tune in to this insightful discussion for an in-depth look at the policy decisions in the making, the tangible benefits already taking shape, and how these shifts impact patients, providers, and payers.

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For some patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), active medical management can offer better quality of life than dialysis or kidney transplantation without necessarily compromising life expectancy. Yet conversations on whether to forego or withdraw from other treatment options can be challenging for patients and clinicians. In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. Bobby Muthalaly, president of Kidney Care of Oklahoma, sheds light on this often-overshadowed topic to help other healthcare professionals better support their own patients through these complex and deeply personal care decisions.

Dr. Muthalaly shares how his practice assesses patient needs and initiates thoughtful, compassionate discussions about modality options that honor the patient’s preferences and circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of trust, early engagement with patients, and involving families in shared decision-making. 

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Jessica Prohn, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in renal nutrition, says a renal-friendly diet plays a critical role in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

In the latest episode of Kidney Health Connections, Prohn highlights the value of early dietary intervention, emphasizing its impact on slowing disease progression and improving patient quality of life.

Maintaining a healthy diet can be confusing for CKD patients, especially when they are also managing other conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. As Prohn explains, there is no one-size-fits-all kidney diet, as nutritional needs depend on the stage of CKD and treatment modality. An individualized approach—rooted in each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle, and comorbidities—is essential when crafting dietary recommendations.

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