TAMPA, Fla. February 1, 2005 -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to announce the selection of John H. Sadler, MD, as the 2005 Medal of Excellence recipient, and The Honorable Mark B. McClellan, MD, PhD, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Staff of CMS as the 2005 Public Service Medal recipients.

Drs. Sadler and McClellan and the Staff of CMS will be honored at the 10th Annual Medal of Excellence Award Dinner on Sunday, March 20 in Washington, D.C., at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel. The event is hosted by AAKP in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Association’s (RPA) Annual Meeting.

The Medal of Excellence – one of AAKP’s most prestigious awards – honors 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. Sadler as this year’s recipient.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Sadler has continuously strived for optimization of quality patient-centered care. Since 1979, he has served as President and CEO of the Independent Dialysis Foundation (IDF), a regional non-profit dialysis provider in Baltimore. He was a founding member and the first president of RPA, which aims to achieve quality patient healthcare. In 1991, Dr. Sadler participated in the Institute of Medicine ESRD Program Study, which produced the report “Kidney Failure and the Federal Government.” In addition, his leadership in the Life Options Rehabilitation Advisory Council led to the development of the Life Options Rehabilitation Program, which helps kidney patients live long and productive lives. Throughout the past 20 years, he has strengthened the non-profit sector through his work at IDF and Dialysis Clinic, Inc., by serving as a proactive member of the Quality Management Committee.

“Dr. Sadler is truly a respected and adored individual, not only within the renal community, but also throughout the world. Through a unique and sincere interest in the lives of his patients, he continues to raise the quality of life for thousands,” said AAKP President Brenda Dyson.

Dr. McClellan and the Staff of CMS have been selected as the 2005 Public Service Medal recipients. Through Dr. McClellan’s leadership, CMS has shown outstanding efforts to improve healthcare quality for kidney patients, and initiated breakthrough policies, such as the Fistula First initiative. Dr. McClellan and his staff were chosen for their valiant efforts, in addition to their longstanding and dedicated commitment to healthcare for Americans.

Individual tickets may be purchased for $125 and a 10-person table may be reserved for $1,250. Award Dinner Program Book advertisements and event sponsorship opportunities are still available. Current sponsors are as follows: Amgen, Inc., (Platinum Sponsor); Abbott Renal Care (Gold Sponsor);Genzyme (Silver Sponsor); Watson Pharma, Inc., (Silver Sponsor); American Regent, Inc., (Bronze Sponsor); Dialysis Clinic, Inc., (Bronze Sponsor); Fresenius Medical Care (Bronze Sponsor); and Renal Physicians Association (Patron Sponsor).

It is with great pleasure that AAKP honors these individuals. Please join AAKP in sharing this special evening of recognition as it bestows these prestigious awards on behalf of the renal community. For more information on the 10th Annual Medal of Excellence Award Dinner, click here or contact the AAKP National Office at (800) 749-2257.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for more than 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.