You might have heard about drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors used in treatment of kidney disease, but, just like many other kidney patients, you might not know if they’re right for you. On this episode, we explain how different SGLT2 inhibitors are from other kidney disease medications, discuss side effects, cost, and the ongoing research around this category of drugs.

On this episode you will hear from:

Katherine Tuttle, MD

Dr. Tuttle is Executive Director for Research at Providence Health Care, Co-Principal Investigator of the Institute of Translational Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Tuttle earned her medical degree and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. She was a fellow in Metabolism and Endocrinology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Her Nephrology fellowship training was performed at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. 

Dr. Tuttle's major research interests are in clinical and translational science for diabetes and chronic kidney disease. She has published over 250 original research contributions and served two terms as Associate Editor for the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and the American Journal of Kidney Disease. Dr. Tuttle has received many honors and awards including the Medal of Excellence from the American Association of Kidney Patients, Garbed Eknoyan Award from the National Kidney Foundation, the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award in Science, and two Outstanding Clinical Faculty Awards at the University of Washington. Dr. Tuttle served on the Board of Directors for the Kidney Health Initiative and has chaired numerous kidney and diabetes related working groups and committees for organizations including the NIDDK/NIH, the National Kidney Foundation, the American Society of Nephrology, the International Society of Nephrology, and the American Diabetes Association.  

Jane DeMeis, patient

Ms. DeMeis became involved with the National Kidney Foundation when she was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 kidney disease. 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 over 8 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. Ms. DeMeis is the Chairperson of the Perinton Ambulance Corps and when Covid allows will be bringing Kidney education to their Community Outreach program. Her other volunteer activities include working with clients for the Perinton Food Shelf, on the Executive Board of the Perinton Historical Society as the Director of Communications, as a member of the Fairport Village Tree Board, and sings with the Perinton Senior Chorus.

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