AAKP, along with more than 600 registrants, spent four days learning how to improve the quality of their healthcare. AAKP was thrilled by the attendance, excitement and success generated by its 32nd Annual Convention held Sept. 1-4 in Las Vegas. As the largest kidney disease patient meeting in the country, AAKP’s Annual Convention provides attendees with the most current information on kidney disease and its treatments.

Each year, AAKP strives to feature a comprehensive educational agenda including all modalities and information for individuals at all stages of kidney disease. Patients and family members attended educational presentations delivered by some of the country’s leading healthcare professionals. Some topics included dialysis options, transplantation, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

As with all AAKP Conventions, attendees enjoyed a unique opportunity to speak to fellow patients and share their experiences. Attendees engaged healthcare professionals about the concerns they face, treatment options available to them, and new technologies. Convention attendees enjoyed an extensive exhibit hall featuring more than 25 kidney-related companies.

AAKP provided Lunch with the Experts sessions on Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3 in which guest speakers led lively discussions on topics developed for patients and their loved ones over lunch. These sessions allowed one-on-one interactions for patients to discuss their concerns with professionals and fellow patients.

On Friday, AAKP welcomed celebrity musician and chef Isaac Hayes as a guest speaker. The symposium featured presentations by Hayes, as well as a renal dietitian and a nephrologist. All attendees received a free copy of the Kidney Friendly Comfort Foods cookbook, containing 21 low-phosphorous recipes. Knowing the difficulties of lowering phosphorus in one’s diet, and after losing a close friend and fellow musician to kidney disease, Hayes has been traveling around the country to educate people on how to live a low phosphorus life. He is also an Oscar and Grammy award-winning musician with a role on the animated hit-television series, South Park.

That evening, AAKP held its official Welcoming Ceremonies where attendees danced and participated in a Las Vegas-themed costume party. In addition, AAKP presented its CKD Awards – the AAKP Spirit of Service Award and AAKP Visionary Award – to a kidney patient and professional for their leadership and devotion to the CKD community.

The AAKP Spirit of Service Award honors a patient who raises awareness of CKD in his or her community. This year’s recipient, Jenna Lynne Smith of Iowa City, Iowa, is an inspiring example to fellow patients. An end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient, she has used peritoneal dialysis, received a living-related kidney transplant, and currently uses hemodialysis to treat her kidneys.

She volunteers for numerous organizations, such as Kidneeds, an organization started by her family to support research to find a cure for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGNII). She makes jewelry, which can be found in jewelry stores throughout Iowa, as well as greeting cards to raise money for kidney research. She is also a regular participant in Habitat for Humanity.

In addition, she received an award by the 2005 Iowa Medical Society Alliance to recognize her community service endeavors, as well as the Peterson Scholarship through the University of Iowa Foundation for her scholastic achievements.

The AAKP Visionary Award pays tribute to a physician for outstanding performance in CKD education. This year’s recipient, Jay Wish, MD, of Cleveland, has made a positive impact on kidney patients throughout the country.

He was selected for his exemplary efforts in patient education. Dr. Wish is a member of the AAKP Medical Advisory Board and regularly contributes to AAKP’s patient publications, including Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine. He has also participated in important renal organizations, such as Be Active, the American Society of Nephrology, the International Society of Nephrology, the Renal Physicians Association, and the National Kidney Foundation. In addition, he has worked with ESRD Networks throughout the country for more than 20 years.

Each of these individuals spends countless hours ensuring that kidney patients, especially those with CKD, understand their disease and live life to the fullest. Both recipients have helped increase awareness of CKD among patients, family members and the general public.

On Saturday evening, AAKP thanked the volunteers who dedicate themselves to making AAKP a strong organization at its Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. The following award recipients have made significant difference in AAKP’s functions and activities over the past year.

AAKP President Brenda Dyson, who was unable to attend the Convention due to Hurricane Katrina, was selected as the recipient of AAKP’s most prestigious award – the Samuel J. Orenstein Memorial Award. She displays loyalty, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm in her support of AAKP. Throughout nearly 10 years of service, she has shown an unyielding desire to improve the quality of patient care. Under her leadership, AAKP has worked to develop a National Quality Commission supporting legislation to provide better health outcomes. Most importantly, she is a firm believer in AAKP’s mission and helps the Association make a difference in patients’ lives. She is a strong leader who dedicates her life to improving the lives of fellow patients.

Jeanne Sisneros was presented with the Josephine Berman Award. She is a chapter volunteer who dedicates countless hours to the Association. Not only is she a patient, but is also a registered nurse, who invites patients to attend Chapter meetings, and supports and encourages them throughout their hospital stays. This award, named in honor of AAKP’s first treasurer, acknowledges a patient or family member who devotes much of his or her life to the realization of AAKP’s goals and mission.

Yalem Woredekal, MD, was named the winner of the AAKP Patient Comeback Award. Dr. Woredekal has displayed extraordinary courage despite numerous challenges and has resumed an active lifestyle. She left her native country of Ethiopia, completing medical school, residency and nephrology fellowship training. During this time, she received hemodialysis treatments and had two transplants. She received the Executive Director’s Award of Excellence at Kings County Hospital Center, the largest municipal hospital in the U.S. In addition, she is medical director of the Kings County Chronic Dialysis Unit. Through it all, she has used a gentle yet strong approach to take care of kidney disease patients and inspires them as someone who has come out on top after facing their same struggles.

Lawrence Spergel, MD, was presented with the Peter Lundin, MD, Memorial Award. This prestigious award honors the late Dr. A. Peter Lundin, one of AAKP’s earliest advocates and leading supporters. Dr. Spergel spent more than 20 years as a vascular surgeon specializing in creating and repairing dialysis accesses. He is a national medical consultant for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Fistula First Initiative, and served as chairman of the Network ESRD National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative from 2002-2005. Through his work, he has influenced care for thousands of dialysis patients across the U.S.

Eli A. Friedman, MD, was named the recipient of the Maureen Lundin aakpRENALIFE Award. Dr. Friedman has made a multitude of important contributions to AAKP’s patient magazines throughout the years. His writing style consistently presents a clear and concise synopsis of the topics patients are most interested in. His drive and dedication to educating patients through his educational articles are an invaluable service to the Association.

FMQAI:  The Florida ESRD Network received the Dominick Gentile Memorial Award. Also known as Network 7, it aims to assess and improve the quality of care provided to ESRD patients. They have initiated many projects stressing the importance of patient education as an integral part of quality care. In addition, Network 7 showed superior leadership and strength throughout the 2004 hurricane season, which affected dialysis units throughout the state of Florida, and achieved the best practices in the midst of these storms.

Mark Meier, MSW, LICSW, was presented with the NOVA Award. Each year, the AAKP staff selects an individual who has made a long-term commitment toward the future of AAKP. Mr. Meier is a Board member who is always ready and willing to help AAKP. He has served on many important committees and selflessly dedicates his time contributing articles to AAKP’s publications. He even graciously traveled across the country to volunteer at an AAKP educational event.

Kelly M. Mayo, MS, received the President’s Award. Chosen by AAKP’s president, this award is presented to an individual who makes a significant difference in the daily activities of AAKP. Ms. Mayo has proven to be a tremendous asset over the past year. She has shown the utmost dedication to the Association by going above and beyond her duties as a member of its Board of Directors and Convention Committee.

Each year, AAKP honors an outstanding Chapter and Chapter volunteer for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the Association. These awards are designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the Chapter and volunteers.

The Chapter of the Year Award was presented to the AAKP Los Angeles Chapter. This Chapter goes above and beyond fulfilling the goals and mission of the Association. It was recognized for its efforts to reach fellow kidney patients through numerous programs and services including newsletters, educational programs, social events and patient support groups. In addition, the Chapter recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

The Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award was given to an individual who dedicates time and energy on behalf of her Chapter, Roslyn Feldman. Throughout her years of dedication to the AAKP South Florida Chapter, she has held each position on the Chapter’s Board of Directors. She generously shares her insight to upcoming Chapter members, and has been one of AAKP’s most influential Chapter leaders over the past 20 years.

Additional Chapters were awarded for the leadership and support they provide to the kidney patients in their community. The Harbor-South Bay-Orange County Chapter, Los Angeles Chapter, Palm Beach County Chapter, and Middle Tennessee Chapter were recognized for their exemplary efforts to bring AAKP’s message of hope and perseverance to thousands of patients and their loved ones through educational programs, support group meetings and social activities.

We would like to thank the Convention Committee for their planning, commitment and assistance in making AAKP’s 2005 Annual Convention a huge success. This year’s Convention Committee included: Donald Dowe, MSW (Convention Chairperson); Mary Heisick, MSW; Kelly M. Mayo, MS; Sam Pederson; and Judy Weintraub, MS.

AAKP has been busy making plans for its 33rd Annual Convention to be held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 in Orlando, Fla. Please see AAKP News on page 20 for more information, and make plans to join hundreds of fellow patients as we celebrate another Convention in 2006. Look for more details on next year’s Convention in future issues of aakpRENALIFE and on our Web site at www.aakp.org.

This article originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 21, No. 3.