Tampa, Fla., July 23, 2009 – Health care professionals are invited to join the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) for its 36th Annual National Convention. The Convention takes place Sept. 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. Continuing Education (CE) credits are offered to social workers who attend pending approval from the accrediting agency. Certificates of attendance are available for all health care professionals upon request. The AAKP National Convention is the largest event of its kind, bringing patients, family members and health care professional together for three days of educational sessions and exciting social events. Educational sessions cover a wide-range of topics including chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis therapy options and transplantation.

A special session is offered just for health care professionals. The Patient Perspective is led by kidney patients outlining the Patient/Family Centered Care model. “As health care professionals, sometimes we forget why we dedicated our lives to this profession,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “This session is a great reminder. Patients, not lab results, should always be the focus.”

One-day registrations for health care professionals are $50 per day. Patient/Family members pay $25 per day. Full Convention registration packages for health care professionals start at $195. AAKP Patient/Family Member registration packages start at $90. The full Convention registration package includes three days of educational sessions, a souvenir t-shirt, tote bag and tickets to the First Time Attendees’ Luncheon, Welcome Reception, Welcoming Ceremonies and Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. For additional information please contact AAKP at (800) 749-2257.

The Hyatt Regency Denver is located at 650 15th Street, Denver. For more information about the AAKP National Convention visit www.aakp.org/events/convention/2009.