Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF) is recruiting physicians and other providers for its new Chronic Kidney Disease Quality Initiative. GMCF, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Georgia, said the program will help physicians, hospitals, community health centers and other providers with detecting the incidence and slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Georgia's Medicare beneficiaries. 
 
Georgia residents lose kidney function at the second highest rate in the nation, with more than one million affected by the disease. And minorities are more likely to get kidney disease, even with identical medical care. The odds of reaching end- stage renal disease (ESRD) are two to four times more likely for Hispanics and African-Americans.
 
This initiative features free education and technical assistance, access to patient education and outreach materials, and networking with other providers who care for CKD patients in their community. It's also an opportunity to make a significant impact on disparities in CKD care in Georgia.
 
For more information about the program, call 800-982-0411 and ask to speak to the CKD Quality Initiative Team, or click here to contact GMCF. You may also visit their Web site, www.gmcf.org. 

This article originally appeared in the November 2008 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.