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.