Tampa, Fla., November 4, 2008 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is accepting nominations for the 2009 Medal of Excellence Award. The award recognizes and honors a renal physician making a significant contribution to the progress of patient education and disease treatment in the kidney community. The deadline for nominations is December 3, 2008, and the nomination form can be completed online or downloaded from the AAKP Web site.

The Medal of Excellence Award was established 14 years ago to recognize renal physicians who take an active leadership role in the renal community and in the lives of patients. AAKP knows the success of patients depends heavily on the counsel, motivation and leadership of their healthcare team.

"Past Medal of Excellence Award winners are innovators in the renal community, both as clinicians and patients advocates,” stated Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, President of AAKP. "We continue to strive to ensure the award draws attention to those acting as leaders, catalysts and educators in addressing patient needs as well as continuing to search for innovative treatment options for kidney disease.”

If you know a physician who has shown extraordinary dedication and service to the renal community, please consider nominating him or her for the AAKP Medal of Excellence Award. Complete your nominations today via an online form found on the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org. Self nominations are encouraged. Entries must be postmarked on or before December 3, 2008.

The recipient is honored during the AAKP Annual Medal of Excellence Award reception on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in Baltimore, MD. The award ceremony is held in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Association’s Annual Meeting. For more information about the AAKP Medal of Excellence Award or available sponsorship opportunities, contact Diana Clynes at dclynes@aakp.org or 800-749-AAKP. 
                                                                                           

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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.