Tampa, Fla., September 29, 2008 – It is with great sadness the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announces the resignation of Kris Robinson, Executive Director/CEO. Ms. Robinson made this decision in order to pursue other opportunities.

“Kris has been a valuable part of AAKP for many years,” said AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “We acknowledge all of the good that Kris has accomplished on behalf of the Association and kidney patients nationwide. Her service to AAKP will be missed.”

For 18 years Robinson has been instrumental in many of AAKP’s achievements. She represented AAKP before regional, national and international organizations, including appointment to the Health and Human Services Advisory Board on the Demonstration of a Bundled Case-Mix Adjusted Payment System for ESRD Services, Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation, and various committees of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Ms. Robinson has testified before Congress on healthcare issues, and wrote and spoke frequently on kidney care issues, patient partnership in their healthcare and rehabilitation, legislative issues and managed care.

Kim Buettner is serving as Acting Executive Director. Ms. Buettner has served in multiple capacities with AAKP for more than 10 years. In her new role, Ms.Buettner is responsible for the formulation of the Association’s mission, goals, objectives and related policies. Ms. Buettner originally joined AAKP in 1994 and for five years served as the Communications Director. In 1999, she explored opportunities with KidsGrowth.com, a Web site partnership with Pediatric Health Alliance, LLC, the largest pediatric medical group on the West Coast of Florida. For six years, Ms. Buettner was responsible for managing and developing five company Web sites in addition to numerous patient and parent education programs. In 2005, she rejoined AAKP as the Program Director and in 2007 was promoted to Assistant Director.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Kris at AAKP for over 10 years. Her commitment to AAKP and the renal community is overwhelming,” said Buettner. “The AAKP Board of Directors, AAKP staff and I have committed ourselves to continuing the valuable service AAKP has been providing to the nation’s kidney patients for nearly 40 years.”

For more information about the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) visit www.aakp.org or call (800) 749-AAKP. 

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AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for nearly 40 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.