TAMPA, Fla. March 29, 2006 -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) honored H. Keith Johnson, MD, with its Medal of Excellence during the 11^th Annual Medal of Excellence Award Dinner. The dinner was held Sunday, March 19, in Baltimore, to recognize Dr. Johnson for his significant contributions to nephrology and transplantation.

The 2006 AAKP Medal of Excellence Award Dinner, held in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Association’s Annual Meeting, received an overwhelming response with an attendance of more than 140 people. “AAKP is honored to have recognized Dr. Johnson for his nationwide achievements in the renal community,” said Brenda Dyson, president of AAKP. “Dr. Johnson has changed the world of nephrology with his vision to improve quality in every aspect of patient care.”

During the ceremony, AAKP celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Johnson with poignant presentations by Thomas Peters, MD, and 2005 Medal of Excellence recipient, John Sadler, MD. For nearly four decades, Dr. Johnson has made noteworthy contributions to nephrology and transplantation, while devoting his career to patients. He is the founding and principal nephrologist for Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI), the only large non-profit dialysis organization in the U.S., dedicated to the care of renal patients. Dr. Johnson’s legendary leadership has allowed DCI to commit more than $100 million to research, education and non-profit activities. A key contribution for which Dr. Johnson is known started in 1975 when he and his wife, Nancy, founded Camp Okawehna, a week long summer experience for children with kidney disease.

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. Johnson as this year’s recipient of AAKP’s most prestigious award.

Past Medal of Excellence Award recipients include: John H. Sadler, MD, of Independent Dialysis Foundation (2005); Morrell Avram, MD, of Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn (2004); Willem J. Kolff, MD, of University of Utah School of Medicine & Belding H. Scribner, MD, of University of Washington School of Medicine (2003); George E. Schreiner, MD, of Georgetown University (2002); Garabed Eknoyan, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston & Nathan Levin, MD, of Renal Research Institute, New York (2001); Christopher Blagg, MD, of Northwest Kidney Center (2000); John Bower, MD, of University of Mississippi Medical Center and Renal Physicians Association (1999); A. Peter Lundin, MD, of State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn (1998); Clive O. Callender, MD, of Howard University Hospital, Washington, D.C. (1997); and Eli Friedman, MD, of State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn (1996).

AAKP is proud to recognize our 2006 Medal of Excellence Award Dinner Sponsors, which include: Amgen, Inc. (Platinum Sponsor); Abbott Renal Care (Gold Sponsor); Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (Silver Sponsor); Genzyme (Silver Sponsor); Watson Nephrology (Silver Sponsor); American Regent, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor); American Renal Associates (Bronze Sponsor); Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor); Fresenius Medical Care (Bronze Sponsor); John H. Sadler, MD (Patron Sponsor); Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Patron Sponsor); Renal Physicians Association (Patron Sponsor); and United Network for Organ Sharing (Patron Sponsor).

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.