April 29, 2010

Greetings,

My name is Michael Landy. I’m the interim Executive Director for the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). I am happy to be working with the nation’s leading kidney patient education and advocacy group. I hope during my time here with the Association that I can help advance the mission of AAKP which is to provide kidney patients and their loved ones the tools necessary to lead healthy, productive lives. Currently, the Association has several events lined up to help patients like you, do just that - live healthy and productive lives.

The AAKP Board of Directors and staff are in the midst of planning the Annual Convention. This is the largest event of its kind for kidney patients and their family members. The AAKP Annual Convention is three days of educational sessions and fun! Some of the nation’s top kidney health care professionals lead educational sessions on the latest renal research and treatment options. It’s also an opportunity for patients and family members to interact with other patients and family members who are experiencing some of the same challenges. This year, the Convention is being held in sunny Tampa, Florida, in the heart of the Channel Side District and near the history Ybor City. There’s plenty of shopping and dinning in the area. The area’s beaches are just a short drive away. You can get more information on the AAKP Annual Convention by visiting the Convention page on the AAKP website.

I want to congratulate Nellie Ferrante, Melody Kirby and Mary Mitchell. They are the winners of the AAKP Artwork Contest. The contest was held in conjunction with the National Kidney Month in March. AAKP asked artists to submit work that demonstrated how kidney disease has affected their lives. We received nearly one hundred submissions. Eight were displayed on the AAKP website for public voting. The top three winners are being turned into all occasions greeting cards. You can purchase your own set of greeting cards by clicking here.

A Little About Me
I have more than 20 years experience in the non-profit community. During that time, 10 years were spent in executive roles. I received my Master Degree in Political Science and Public Policy with a minor in Health Care Administration from the University of Florida where I studied issues of pediatric patient access and outcomes. I’m now a senior associate with Bloom Metz Consulting. I live in St. Louis with my wife and four children.

A search committee is continuing interviews for a permanent Executive Director. Until a replacement is found, please fell free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at execdir@aakp.org or call 1-800-749-2257.