Tampa, Fla., March 16, 2010 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announces the resignation of its Executive Director, Kim Buettner. Buettner has accepted a position within the Education and Patient Advisory Program of a large Tampa based cancer treatment and research center. AAKP is using this opportunity to continue strengthening the direction of the organization by conducting a national search for the next executive director.

“For more than 10 years, Kim has held a career with AAKP. She has served the Association in several roles and during the past year, as the executive director, she has demonstrated her passion and commitment toward patient education. Her departure saddens the Board and staff, however, we are happy to see her advancing in an area for which she holds such an interest," said AAKP President Roberta “Bobbi” Wager, RN, MSN. "Change is not always easy, but the Board is viewing this as an opportunity to focus on AAKP's strengths and examine the direction that will keep it strong into the future."

Buettner originally joined AAKP in 1994 and for five years served as the Communications Director. During the dot-com boom of 1999, she explored opportunities with KidsGrowth.com, a website partnership with Pediatric Health Alliance, LLC, the largest pediatric medical group on the West Coast of Florida. In 2005, she rejoined AAKP as the Program Director. In 2007 she was promoted to Assistant Director and in 2009 became Executive Director. Buettner was instrumental in the development of AAKP’s personal health record, AAKP My Health. She also played a role in the expansion of Kidney Beginnings: Live and development of AAKP HealthLine. In addition, during the time of her career when she was not actively working for AAKP, she authored AAKP’s chronic kidney disease book, Kidney Beginnings: A Patient’s Guide to Living with Reduced Kidney Function and co-authored AAKP’s Patient Plan® education program.

“AAKP is a strong organization with a rich history. Making the decision to leave was not an easy one. The organization has played a major role in my life and career for more than 10 years. I’m going to miss it, the Board and staff, and most importantly the patients it serves,” said Buettner. “When you’ve been involved with something as important as AAKP for as long as I have been, it’s difficult to say good-bye. AAKP makes a difference and I’ve been honored to play my role.”

Buettner’s last day is April 15. The Board has developed a search committee and is conducting a national search for an executive director. For additional information, please visit www.aakp.org/About-AAKP or send an e-mail to info@aakp.org. 

                                                                                               ###
AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 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.