The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) presented its inaugural Medal of Excellence in Global Kidney Science and Patient-Centered Medicine to Dominic Raj, MD, Bert B. Brooks Chair in the Medical School and professor of medicine at the George Washington (GW) University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), and director of the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension at the GW Medical Faculty Associates, during the opening session of the 6th Annual Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations (The Global Summit), July 16.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by AAKP with the Inaugural Global Medal of Excellence in Kidney Science and Patient-Centered Medicine and I am humbled by this award,” said Raj, a founding co-chair of The Global Summit. “It has been my life’s mission to help all people impacted by kidney diseases through scientific excellence and innovation, and patients have always been at the center of my efforts. I believe all professionals must listen to their patients, understand their aspirations, and help them choose the best treatments that allow them to remain as independent and healthy as possible. I dedicate this award to all the patients who have taught me about the burdens of kidney disease and whose boundless courage and resilient hope continues to inspire my work.”
The inaugural award was developed by kidney patients and intentionally designed to elevate scientists and medical experts whose work aims to transcend status quo care and positively influence medical innovation and save more lives. AAKP is a champion for the universal principles of greater patient care choice, protection of the patient/doctor relationship, and more intelligent alignments in government of regulatory and payment policies. Since 2019, The Global Summit, a partnership between AAKP and GW SMHS, has grown into the world’s largest patient-led meeting on kidney disease innovations, engaging tens of thousands of patients, medical professionals, industry leaders, and government officials across more than 100 nations.
“AAKP has deep respect for Dr. Raj’s extraordinary leadership at George Washington University and his prominent role as an international thought leader in kidney science and meaningful patient engagement. His commitment to scholarship, innovations that improve lives and protect livelihoods, and the advancement of patient interests are consistent and highly commendable,” said AAKP President Edward V. Hickey, III, a kidney patient and United States Marine Corps veteran. Hickey also serves as chair of AAKP’s Veterans Health Initiative and has a professional background that includes senior posts on Capitol Hill and in two presidential administrations.
Under Raj’s tenure at GW’s academic medical enterprise, the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension became the first clinical section at GW to earn the coveted designation of “high performing” by U.S. News and World Report. He also was pivotal in the establishment of the GW SMHS transplant program, and has been the architect of efforts to expand patient care choice and access to transplant services in Washington, D.C., and surrounding regions, especially among historically underserved people and veterans.
As a researcher, Raj is devoted to translating scientific discoveries from the laboratory to clinical practice, and has an extensive portfolio of federally funded research grants. Since 1995, he has authored more than 240 peer-reviewed medical journal articles and delivered more than 100 presentations on kidney science and patient-centered medicine. Board certified in Nephrology, Raj is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Nephrology, and he has been named a “Washington Top Doctor” multiple times by Washingtonian magazine.
“Dr. Raj demonstrated the highest ideals of patient-centered medicine and great integrity by reaching out to AAKP to launch The Global Summit as equal partners in both science and medical innovation. His shared sense of urgency to address the unmet needs of kidney patients around the world, and within our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., is genuine and reflects a sophisticated understanding of why kidney care must evolve,” said Paul T. Conway, AAKP chair of policy and global affairs, and a founding co-chair of The Global Summit.
