WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) are pleased to announce a major kidney disease education collaboration, the Global Summit on Innovations in Patient-Centered Kidney Care.
The Global Summit takes place May 21-23, 2019 in Washington, D.C. at the George Washington University campus in the Jack Morton Auditorium. The AAKP website lists the Summit agenda, list of confirmed speakers, and registration information. Kidney patients, caregivers and medical students are invited to attend the event for free.
AAKP and GW SMHS have invited top international experts in kidney care including medical professionals, patient advocates, academics and researchers, government decision-makers, industry experts and entrepreneurs who will talk about the latest options and approaches to care for kidney disease. International speakers include: Roberto Flavio Silva, MD, PhD, FACP, FASN, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (Brazil); Piero Ruggenti, MD, Negri Institute (Italy); John Gill, MD, Providence Health (Canada); Eric Litjens, PhD, Hansa Medical (Sweden); and Michael Walsh, MD, PhD, McMaster University (Canada). The event meets full accreditation requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the GW SMHS and AAKP.
Critical issues across the kidney disease spectrum will be discussed including: innovations in biologics, devices, and diagnostics; anemia management and treatment; emerging research in the areas of early disease diagnosis; novel therapies in transplantation including wearable and artificial implantable therapies, and advancements in dialysis care. Other topics will include: tactics to patient outcomes, tailored therapies to help patients align achieve their aspirations such as maintaining their careers; best practices in patient engagement; patient-focused and streamlined clinical trials; and a global look at international practices in patient-centered care.
“We are very pleased to partner with AAKP on this important event. With staggering incidence rates of kidney disease in Washington, D.C. and across the globe, we are thrilled to host this prestigious group of experts who are committed to finding new ways to meet the growing needs of people living with kidney disease,” said Jeffrey S. Akman, MD, Vice President for Health Affairs, Walter A. Bloedorn Professor of Administrative Medicine, and Dean, GW SMHS. “At GW, we have a spectrum of experts focusing on this issue, including our nephrology team led by renowned clinician and scientist, Dr. Dominic Raj, our transplant team, and our educational arm – the Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Center – all of whom are dedicated to improving the lives of those living with kidney disease.”
AAKP President Richard Knight, a transplant recipient, stated “The Global Summit is a tremendous opportunity for professionals and patients alike to learn cutting-edge developments in kidney disease, to network and to become better-informed advocates for innovation, research investment and patient-centered kidney care.”
Global Summit Co-Chair and Chief of the Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension at the GW, Dominic Raj MD, FACP, FASN said. “The Division has a long tradition of progressive kidney medicine dating back to 1950s that continues at GW today. This summit advocates for participatory medicine by providing a platform for patients, caregivers, policy makers, scientists and industry to come together with the unified mission of improving kidney patient outcome”
AAKP Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, a Global Summit Co-Chair, stated, “AAKP is working with companies, medical professionals and patients worldwide to fight kidney disease and building sophisticated capacities to increase patient participation in clinical trials and advocacy aimed at increasing care choices and medical innovation.”
