2009 Medal of Excellence Award Recipient
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to announce the selection of Robert W. Schrier, MD, as its 2009 Medal of Excellence Award Recipient.

The Medal of Excellence is an AAKP recognition program that honors a renal physician who has achieved outstanding success in caring for kidney disease patients, while also possessing extraordinary skills and devotion in the field of nephrology. This year, it is with great pleasure we bestow this honor to Dr. Schrier.

Dr. Schrier is a Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. His vast contributions to the field of nephrology include, but are not limited to, patient-oriented research in acute kidney injury; autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; hypertension and diabetic nephropathy; renal sodium and water retention in heart failure and cirrhosis. This important research has been funded  by the National Institutes of Health for more than 35 years.

Dr. Schrier's presence in the renal community is felt both nationally and internationally by his development of a world class nephrology unit at the University of Colorado which is ranked in the top 10 of 126 medical schools by US News & World Report, by his training of more than 200 nephrology fellows and by his educating physicians in renal and hypertension patient care in more than 75 countries. Dr. Schrier has also served as President of the American Society of Nephrology, the National Kidney Foundation and the International Society of Nephrology. He is the Editor of three major kidney text books, including Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology.

Dr. Schrier has had the pleasure of caring for patients with kidney disease for more than 40 years and now, AAKP has the pleasure of honoring such a fine physician for his continued commiment and care to both patients and the field of nephrology.

AAKP paid tribute to Dr. Schrier at the Medal of Excellence Award Reception held in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Associations' Annual Meeting on March 22, 2009 in Baltimore, MD at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. 

2009 AAKP Congressional Leadership Medal
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to award the 2009 Congressional Leadership Medal to Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Congressman Pete Stark (R-CA) for their co-leadership of the Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Gift of Life Medal Act.

The Congressional Leadership Medal was created to recognize members of Congress who have shown continued initiative and diligence in improving the lives of Americans affected by kidney disease. Congressman Dave Camp and Congressman Pete Stark will also be honored at the Medal of Excellence Award Reception.