TAMPA, Fla. April 28, 2005 -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is currently seeking nominations for its annual Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Awards – the AAKP Spirit of Service Award and AAKP Visionary Award – that honor a patient and physician who perform remarkable services on behalf of CKD patients.

AAKP will present the awards during its 32^nd Annual Convention, titled “Quality First: Patients Driving Excellence,” to be held Sept. 1-4 at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. The awards will be presented the evening of Friday, Sept. 2, during the Convention Welcoming Ceremonies. Recipients will be recognized among fellow patients and healthcare professionals at the only national convention dedicated to kidney patients and their families. 

Each year, AAKP recognizes outstanding individuals who play a significant role in the lives of those with CKD. The AAKP Spirit of Service Award honors a kidney patient for his or her extraordinary devotion to serve fellow kidney patients through activities, such as community outreach and volunteer services. The AAKP Visionary Award honors a physician for his or her commitment to providing education and quality healthcare to CKD patients.

Nominations must be submitted to the AAKP National Office by July 8, 2005. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. To request a nomination form, please contact the AAKP National Office at (800) 749-2257. Nomination forms are also available by clicking here.

The 2004 AAKP Spirit of Service Award recipient was Ellie Durrett of Cottontown, Tenn. She was selected for her efforts in providing early education to those at risk for developing kidney disease. Mrs. Durrett spoke before the Tennessee House of Representatives to pass a House Joint Resolution declaring Aug. 15 “Tennessee Chronic Kidney Disease Education Day.” This day educates Tennesseans about CKD and promotes sustained health and better quality of life.

The 2004 AAKP Visionary Award recipient was Robert Provenzano, MD, of Detroit. He was chosen for his leadership in educating physicians on diagnosing CKD and encouraging early patient education. Through developing a CKD tool kit for physicians, he has worked to ensure doctors and patients have resources to make important health decisions. Dr. Provenzano has significantly improved patient outcomes by setting a positive example for fellow healthcare professionals.

For more information, please contact the AAKP National Office at (800) 749-2257 or click here.

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.