Name: 49th Annual National Patient Meeting
Start: 25/09/2024 12:00 PM +00:00
End: 27/09/2024 12:00 AM +00:00

Welcome to the fight to help kidney patients! Your vote and voice does count. &nbsp;Kidney disease has many human costs &ndash; stress over treatment choice and access, loss of income, the struggle to stay employed and free from dependency on disability assistance, stress on family and loved ones and delayed dreams. &nbsp;You play a vital role in shaping the future of kidney care. AAKP is here to help you make sure your VOTE counts and your VOICE is heard by elected and appointed leaders across America. &nbsp;You can help shape policies that create more CARE CHOICES that will make a difference in your care and the care of those yet to be diagnosed with kidney disease. Register to vote today &ndash; and become a KidneyVoter&trade;!

KidneyVoter™

Kidney disease has an incredibly alarming and growing impact on Americans and their families, and a disproportionate impact across minority communities. The human burdens and costs to patients, their families, and the American taxpayer are immense. The&nbsp;AAKP Patient Voice Patient Choice&trade; initiative mobilizes those impacted by kidney diseases by engaging them in ways that are most effective in elevating their voice in the policy and payment decisions that impact the access to new diagnostics, drugs, and devices that can improve and save their lives. This includes critical times when barriers are created by national legislation, health program implementation, regulations, or payment decisions by government or insurance companies. The Patient Voice Patient Choice&trade; initiative provides an interactive platform patients and care partners can use to quickly identify current issues impacting care choice and treatment. You can engage with elected leaders, government agencies, and payers to raise your voice when timely access to FDA-approved treatment(s) and devices, determined to be medically beneficial and safe between doctors and their patients, is a priority. This AAKP-led initiative aims to eliminate the unnecessary interference when artificial barriers or delays threaten patient access or threaten your right to patient consumer choice.&nbsp;

Patient Voice Patient Choice™

Bayer is a global life sciences leader in healthcare and nutrition. Building on a 150-year legacy in healthcare, Bayer is committed to developing therapies and delivering educational and support programs to meet patient needs.
Please see full Prescribing Information for KERENDIA (finerenone) at https://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Kerendia_PI.pdf -&nbsp; <a href="https://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Kerendia_PI.pdf">Kerendia Prescribing Information</a>
<a title="Bayer U.S." href="https://pharma.bayer.com">Bayer</a>
<a title="Kerendia Consumer Website - U.S." href="https://www.kerendia-us.com/">Kerendia (finerenone) Information</a>
<a title="Bayer's Privacy Statement" href="https://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/privacy.htm">Privacy Statement</a>
<a href="https://askmed.bayer.com">Medical Information</a>
&nbsp;
This information has been reviewed according to the US law and is consistent with US Prescribing Information and is intended for US audience only. Prescribing Information may vary depending on local approval in each country.&nbsp;

Bayer

AlloSure is a blood test that may give your doctor an earlier warning if there are problems with your transplanted kidney.&sup1; AlloSure may increase a median of 3 months before a leading sign of kidney issues is detected.&sup2; Finding problems sooner may allow your doctor to take actions to help your kidney.
The Transplant Pharmacy is dedicated to serving the unique needs of transplant patients. We provide specialized pharmacy services that help patients navigate the complexities of pre- and post-transplant medication management.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
1. Aubert, O., et al. Cell-Free DNA for the detection of kidney allograft rejection. Nat Med. (2024).
2. Bu, L., et al. Kidney Int. 2022 Apr;101(4):793-80
VTS-PRO-10191-v1 Effective 09-2024
&nbsp;

AlloSure

We are Sanofi, an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people&rsquo;s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and lifesaving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
&nbsp;
To learn more about our clinical trials visit <a title="Clinical Trials at Sanofi " href="https://www.sanofistudies.com/us/en/">SanofiStudies.com</a>

Sanofi

Unfiltered Kidney Conversations is, first and foremost, a community. UKC seeks to help and inspire everyone affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) and shares stories of the millions of American adults living with CKD. We&rsquo;re a place to get information and resources, because we believe knowledge is power when it comes to your CKD journey. We seek to educate and help you have honest conversations with your doctor about CKD, and some of the potentially serious conditions associated with it, like hyperkalemia.

Unfiltered Kidney Conversations

Founded in 2007, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. As a leader in the renal community, we leverage scientific expertise and commercial capabilities to deliver novel therapeutics to address the complications of kidney disease. We are located in the biotech hub of Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where we are inspired by our peers and dedicated to working with our partners, patients, advocacy organizations and the broader renal community. We have both an experienced nephology-focused commercial team and a robust development organization. We currently have two FDA-approved products. Find out more about Akebia and our pursuits in anemia by visiting www.akebia.com.

Akebia Therapeutics

At Apellis, we combine courageous science and compassion to develop life-changing medicines for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. Our goal is to transform treatment for a broad range of debilitating diseases by controlling a part of the immune system known as the complement cascade. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years, and now have two approved medicines targeting C3, the central protein in the cascade. These include the first-ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness around the world. With nearly a dozen clinical and pre-clinical programs underway, we believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals

We lead global healthcare technology. Our Mission - to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life - unites a global team of 90,000+ people. Transforming the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Medtronic. Engineering the extraordinary.

Medtronic

Ardelyx is a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs.

Ardelyx

DCI is the largest not-for-profit dialysis provider in the U.S. With over 14,000 patients on home or in-center dialysis, DCI has 240 clinics across 28 states and partners with over 110 hospitals and health systems for in-hospital dialysis services. REACH Kidney Care serves more than 3,000 people with kidney disease in 10 states. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of DCI that empowers individuals with the primary aim of delaying the need for dialysis.

Dialysis Clinic, Inc. and REACH Kidney Care

Health Service Advisory Group (HSAG) provides quality improvement, data management, grievance investigation, technical assistance, and patient and professional education services for nearly 1,400 dialysis providers and over 90,000 dialysis patients across our Network service areas. Our goal is to efficiently and effectively increase the quality of care and quality of life for ESRD patients.
Please feel free to reach out via the livechat option. The following staff members will be available to answer questions at the times listed below:
Wednesday September 20th
11:00-11:30am ET: Robert Peck
11:30- 12:00pm ET: Amy Carper
3:00- 3:30pm ET: Allison Boutwell
5:15- 6:00pm ET: Susan Cooper
Thursday September 21st
11:00-11:30am ET: Justin Carr
11:30- 12:00pm ET: Anne Pugh
3:00- 3:30pm ET: Riquelen Ngumezi
5:15- 6:00pm ET: Susan Cooper
Friday September 22nd
11:00-11:30am ET: Justin Carr
11:30- 12:00pm ET: Susan Waldron
3:00- 3:30pm ET: Riquelen Ngumezi
5:15- 6:00pm ET: Amy Carper

Health Service Advisory Group

TransplantFirst Academy (TFA's) mission is to educate and inspire patients, who could benefit from a kidney transplant, to proactively seek a preemptive transplant (before they require dialysis).&nbsp;
TFA also gives hope to those already on dialysis, by empowering patients to actively share their story, build a team, and expand their search for a living kidney donor. TFA offers resources and tools, including a mobile app called "DONOR SEEKER" to inspire and empower patient self-advocacy so they can end their wait for a transplant.
Our engagement platforms are rooted in "patient-centered" proactive self-advocacy through education, inspiration and confidence building skills. Our Goal is Simple: We encourage kidney patients to become their own best advocate and work a strategic plan to achieve their best life possible.

TransplantFirst   Academy

The ESRD National Coordinating Center (NCC) supports and coordinates national activities to improve the care received by people living with ESRD. We do this by collaborating with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and the ESRD Networks. We develop and distribute technical and educational materials to members of the ESRD community, including providers and new dialysis patients. Collect, analyze and report data for use by the Networks and the Centers for Medicare and CMS. Provide support for the ESRD Network clinical AIMs including vascular access goals, reducing preventable hospitalizations, and reducing infectious risk goals. Convene national Patient and Family Engagement and Clinical AIMs Learning and Action Networks.
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Program, under contract with the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, provides technical assistance to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks, kidney organizations, and other groups to ensure timely and efficient disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for the kidney community. The KCER Program's disaster preparedness resources help save lives, improve outcomes, empower patients and families, educate healthcare workers, build partnerships with stakeholders, promote readiness in the community, and support the ESRD Networks.&nbsp; For more information visit on the KCER Program visit kcercoalition.com.

ESRD National Coordinating Center

The IPRO ESRD Network serves to promote health care for all End Stage Renal Disease patients that is safe, effective, efficient, patient-centered, timely, and equitable. The&nbsp; Network is part of a national effort to improve the quality of care for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The Network oversees and supports dialysis facilities and kidney transplant centers across 13 states. The Network works to ensure that patients receive high-quality care, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient safety. It also focuses on patient engagement, helping patients take an active role in their care. Additionally, the Network addresses health disparities, aiming to ensure equal access to treatment and care for all patients, regardless of their background or location. It collaborates with healthcare providers, patients, and stakeholders to meet goals set by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS)

IPRO ERSD Network Program

Join one of the following discussions in the Network Lounge!
This will open a new tab for the Network Lounge, you can come back to the Patient Meeting at any time.

Network Lounge

Visit this year&rsquo;s Sponsors &amp; Exhibitors!
&nbsp;
Earn points and win prizes by downloading exhibit material, watching company videos, engaging with vendors, and more!

Exhibit Hall Open

Welcome &amp; Moderator:
Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC Veteran, AAKP President; Chair, AAKP Veterans Health Initiative; caregiver; current chronic kidney disease patient (California)
&nbsp;
Speakers:&nbsp;
Benjamin D. Anderson, MPH, PhD, CPH; Assistant Professor; Program Director, MHS in One Health, Dept. of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida (Florida)&nbsp;
Kevin T. Kavanagh, MD, MS, FACS, Board Chairman, Health Watch&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
<ul>
<li>COVID: The Ongoing Threat to Immunocompromised and Immunosuppressed &nbsp;Patients and Vulnerable Communities (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3e-blvYXH4&amp;list=PLsqCn2yDJM3PB22Wg_Rhdjfz5nY9GkJgV&amp;index=4&amp;pp=gAQBiAQB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch OnDemand</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Edward V. Hickey III, USMC

Benjamin D. Anderson, MPH, PhD, CPH

Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS

Welcome to Day 2 + Hot Topic: COVID, Bird Flu, and Emerging Viruses

Moderator:&nbsp;
Richard Knight, MBA, AAKP Immediate Past President, kidney transplant recipient (Maryland)
Speakers:&nbsp;
Michelle Traver, MD, PhD; Acting Center Director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of the Center Director, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Washington, D.C.)&nbsp;
Stephen Z. Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN; Chair, AAKP Medical Advisory Board; Clinical Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine (Texas)&nbsp;
Isaac Martis, Associate Director, Innovation and Pipeline, Baxter International Inc. (Illinois)
Leslie Trigg, Chair and CEO, Outset Medical (California)
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
<ul>
<li>Advancements in Home Dialysis Care, presented by Dr. Paul Palevsky, Veterans Health Administration Kidney Medicine Program (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmo7nheGBoM&amp;list=PLsqCn2yDJM3PB22Wg_Rhdjfz5nY9GkJgV&amp;index=1&amp;t=2s&amp;pp=gAQBiAQB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch OnDemand</a>)</li>
<li>Advancements in Home Dialysis Care, presented by Michelle Seger, International Home Dialysis Roundtable (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBJuLp7BbwU&amp;list=PLsqCn2yDJM3PB22Wg_Rhdjfz5nY9GkJgV&amp;index=14&amp;pp=gAQBiAQB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch OnDemand</a>)</li>
</ul>

Richard Knight

Michelle Traver, MD, PhD

Stephen Z. Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN

Isaac Martis

Leslie Trigg

Hot Topic: Innovations in Home Dialysis and Remote Monitoring Technologies

Visit this year&rsquo;s Sponsors &amp; Exhibitors!
&nbsp;
Earn points and win prizes by downloading exhibit material, watching company videos, engaging with vendors, and more!
&nbsp;

Moderator:
Paul T. Conway, AAKP Chair of Policy &amp; Global Affairs, kidney transplant patient (Virginia)&nbsp;
Speakers:&nbsp;
Peggy Tighe, Principal, Powers, Pyles, Sutter &amp; Verville PC; Legal Counsel, American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) (Washington, D.C.)
Alan Ryan, RPh, MBA, MA, MDiv, DEdMin; Senior Director, Patient Advocacy, Ardelyx (Massachusetts)&nbsp;
Sara Froelich, Vice President, Government Relations and Policy, Akebia (Massachusetts)
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources
<ul>
<li>AAKP Action Center (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>)</li>
<li>AAKP KidneyVoter&trade; (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fVoterRegistration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>)</li>
<li>Statement of Policy Principles and Solutions: Living Organ Donation (<a href="https://aakp.org/statement-of-policy-principles-and-solutions-living-organ-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read</a>)</li>
</ul>

Paul T. Conway

Peggy Tighe

Alan Ryan

Sara Froelich

Under the Dome: Government Determinants of Health (GDoH): The new barrier on the block 

Moderator:&nbsp;
Erin Kahle, AAKP Deputy Director (North Carolina)
Speaker:&nbsp;
Peggy Tighe, Principal, Powers, Pyles, Sutter &amp; Verville PC; Legal Counsel, American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) (Washington, D.C.)
&nbsp;
Close of Day Announcements
This session is proudly sponsored by Bayer.
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources
<ul>
<li>AAKP Action Center (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>) AAKP KidneyVoter&trade; (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fVoterRegistration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>)</li>
</ul>

Erin Kahle

Advocacy and Engagement Training: On the Hill: Key Tips for Preparing and Participating in Advocacy Hill Days

Moderator:&nbsp;
David Rodriguez, AAKP Board of Director, AAKP Ambassador, former dialysis patient, current kidney transplant and liver recipient (Texas)
Speaker:
Rebecca Maxson, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Clinical Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University; Assistant Director, Learning and Action Collaborative, Advancing Kidney Health for Optimal Medication Management (Alabama)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
Advancing American Kidney Health Through Optimal Medication Management (<a href="https://www.kidneymedicationmanagement.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>) Innovator Article: Advancing American Kidney Health Through Optimal Medication Management (<a href="https://www.kidneymedicationmanagement.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read</a>)
&nbsp;

David Rodriguez

Rebecca Maxsora, PharmD, BCPS

Innovation and Research: Trauma Donor Organs: An Alternative Source to Eliminate the Organ Shortage

Moderator:&nbsp;
Jerome Bailey, AAKP Director of Patient Engagement and Advocacy (Florida)
Speaker:
Stephen Z. Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN; Chair, AAKP Medical Advisory Board; Clinical Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine (Texas)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-research-and-education/emergency-preparedness-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AAKP Emergency Preparedness web page</a> Aging and the Kidneys, article by Dr. Stephen Fadem (<a href="https://aakp.org/aging-in-the-kidney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read</a>) How to Reduce the Risk of Falling, article by Dr. Stephen Fadem (<a href="https://aakp.org/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-falling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read</a>)
&nbsp;

Jerome Bailey

Disease Management: How to Reduce the Risk of Falling

Moderator:&nbsp;
Diana Clynes, AAKP Executive Director (Florida)
Speaker:&nbsp;
Geoffrey A. Block, MD, FASN; Associate Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs; US Renal Care (Colorado)
&nbsp;
End of Event Remarks:
Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC Veteran, AAKP President; Chair, AAKP Veterans Health Initiative; caregiver; current chronic kidney disease patient (California)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
<ul>
<li>Akebia and U.S. Renal Care Initiate the Voice Trial of Vafseo&reg; for Patients on Dialysis (<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/akebia-therapeutics-and-us-renal-care-initiate-the-voice-trial-of-vafseo-vadadustat-for-patients-on-dialysis-302238765.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Press Release</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Diana Clynes

Geoffrey Block, MD, FASN

Innovation and Research: Advancements in Anemia Management - The VOICE Trial

Moderator:&nbsp;
David Rodriguez, AAKP Board of Director, AAKP Ambassador, former dialysis patient, current kidney transplant and liver recipient (Texas)
Speakers:
Rebecca Maxson, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Clinical Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University; Assistant Director, Learning and Action Collaborative, Advancing Kidney Health for Optimal Medication Management (Alabama)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
End of Event Remarks:
Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC Veteran, AAKP President; Chair, AAKP Veterans Health Initiative; caregiver; current chronic kidney disease patient (California)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
Advancing American Kidney Health Through Optimal Medication Management (<a href="https://www.kidneymedicationmanagement.org/">website</a>) Innovator Article: Advancing American Kidney Health Through Optimal Medication Management (<a href="https://aakp.org/aakp-innovator-series-advancing-kidney-health-through-optimal-medication-management/">Read</a>)

Disease Management: Medication Management   Incorporating the Pharmacist as Part of the Care Team

Moderator:&nbsp;
Erin Kahle, AAKP Deputy Director (North Carolina)
Speakers:&nbsp;
Dean Armandroff, AAKP Ambassador, dialysis patient (Virginia)&nbsp;
Dale Rogers, AAKP Secretary, Board of Director, Ambassador, transplant recipient (Idaho)&nbsp;
Terry Litchfield, MPH, President, Access Solutions, AAKP Ambassador, former care partner (Wisconsin)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
End of Event Remarks:
Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC Veteran, AAKP President; Chair, AAKP Veterans Health Initiative; caregiver; current chronic kidney disease patient (California)&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This session is proudly sponsored by Ardelyx.
&nbsp;
Supplemental Resources:
AAKP Action Center (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>) AAKP KidneyVoter&trade; (<a href="https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fVoterRegistration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>)

Dean Armandroff

Dale Rogers

Terry Litchfield, MPA, CNP

Advocacy and Engagement Training: Beyond the Hill Day: Key Tips for Building a Relationship with Your Congressional and Legislative Representatives

Check out the AAKP After Hours Resources!
Click on the tab found on the navigation bar at the top of the event platform.
&nbsp;

Agenda

Speakers.css-2zwi6c{margin:0;font-size:1.4rem;font-weight:500;line-height:1.5;color:#494949;font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif;margin-left:0.8rem;}43 Speakers

Mariana Murea, MD, FASN

Diana Clynes

Erin Kahle

Edward V. Hickey III, USMC

Jennifer Jones, USMC Veteran

Paul T. Conway

Stephen Z. Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN

Dammeon Marshall

Richard Knight

Jonathan Haydak

Gitthaline "Candie" Gagne

Dale Rogers

Gregory Wisont, PhD, MPH, RD

Angela Hu, MD

Tara Hastings

Geoffrey Block, MD, FASN

David Rodriguez

Tejas Desai, MD, MBA

Sharyn Kreitzer

Isaac Martis

Tamara Windau-Melmer

Frederick Gage, PhD

Sara Froelich

Alan Ryan

Elisa Gordon, PhD, MPH

Rebecca Maxsora, PharmD, BCPS

Wendy L. St. Peter, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS

Benjamin D. Anderson, MPH, PhD, CPH

Dean Armandroff

Peggy Tighe

Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS

Terry Litchfield, MPA, CNP

Jerome Bailey

Jeffrey M. Stern, MD

Liz Hurlburt

Lynne Drawdy

Helen Rose, MSW, LCSW

Jon Postawa

Amy Kozsuch, MSN, MBA

Damon Hewin