TAMPA, Fla. March 23, 2004 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) honored Morrell M. Avram, MD, with its Medal of Excellence during the Ninth Annual Medal of Excellence Award Dinner held on Sunday, March 21, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, in Washington D.C. Dr. Avram was recognized for his vast achievements and renowned efforts in the renal community.

The 2004 AAKP Medal of Excellence Award Dinner, which was held in conjunction with the Renal Physician Association’s Annual Meeting, received an overwhelming response and attracted an attendance of more than 180 people. “AAKP is honored to have recognized Dr. Avram for his nationwide achievements in the renal community and his outstanding accomplishments in patient advocacy,” said Brenda Dyson, president of AAKP.  

During the ceremony, AAKP celebrated the pioneering efforts of Dr. Avram. Recognized nationally as a patient advocate, Dr. Avram was among the first to use the artificial kidney to treat a considerable number of patients with kidney failure, including those with diabetic kidney disease. This led to his establishment of one of the nation's first kidney centers, the Long Island College Hospital's Avram Center for Kidney Diseases. This center has long served as an international model of widespread and innovative care.

The Medal of Excellence Award was created to honor a renal physician who has dedicated his or her career to improving the lives of kidney patients. A panel of renal community peers reviewed the nominations and selected Dr. Avram as this year’s recipient of AAKP’s most prestigious award.

Past award recipients include: Willem J. Kolff, MD and Belding H. Scribner, MD (2003); George E. Schreiner, MD (2002); Garabed Eknoyan, MD and Nathan Levin, MD (2001); Christopher Blagg, MD (2000); John Bower, MD and Renal Physicians Association (1999); A. Peter Lundin, MD (1998); Clive O. Callender, MD (1997); and Eli A. Friedman, MD (1996).

AAKP is proud to recognize our 2004 Medal of Excellence Award Dinner Sponsors, which include: Amgen, Inc. (Platinum Sponsor); Abbott Renal Care (Gold Sponsor); Watson Pharma, Inc. (Silver Sponsor); American Regent Laboratories (Bronze Sponsor); Fresenius Medical Care (Bronze Sponsor); Gambro Healthcare, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor); Genzyme (Bronze Sponsor); Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (Patron Sponsor); Renal CarePartners (Patron Sponsor); Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals (Patron Sponsor); and Robert J. Pristave, Esq. (Patron
Sponsor).

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.