Tampa, Fla., March 15, 2010 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) awarded Tom F. Parker, III, MD, the 2010 Medal of Excellence Award Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Baltimore, MD, during the Renal Physician Association’s Annual Meeting. More than 100 of Dr. Parker’s friends, family members and fellow renal colleagues attended the event including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Chief Medical Officer Barry Straube.

The AAKP Medal of Excellence Award is one of the Association’s highest honors, recognizing a renal physician dedication and service to kidney patients and their care. For more than 30 years, Dr. Parker has dedicated his career to the advancement of kidney care – treating chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis and kidney transplant patients; and training and inspiring future renal physicians and colleagues. His contributions have been, with others, to define the quantity and quality of dialysis delivery, having written more than 100 papers on the subject.

“The Medal of Excellence Award was developed to honor those physicians who help, educate and inspire others. Not just patients, but also their fellow colleagues,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “Inspiring them to continue to provide the best care for patients and to continue to strive for every advancement in kidney care possible – Dr. Parker is that inspiration and he is well deserving of the Medal of Excellence Award.”

"Dr. Tom Parker exemplifies what renal care should aways be about - compassion for patients and always striving for excellence in patient care," stated Medal of Excellence Chairman and AAKP Vice President Stephen Z. Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN. "As a fellow nephrologist, I was glad to see Dr. Parker acknowledged for his 30 years of service to the renal community."

AAKP would like to thank the sponsors of the 2010 Medal of Excellence Award program.

Silver Sponsors
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amgen, Inc.
Fresenius Medical Care North America
Renal Ventures Management, LLC

Bronze Sponsors
Abbott American Society of Nephrology
Dallas Nephrology Associates
Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
Shire Pharmaceuticals

Patron Sponsors
American Regent Inc.
Genzyme Corporation
The End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas
TVA Medical, Inc.
Watson Nephrology

For more information about Tom F. Parker, III, MD, and the AAKP Medal of Excellence program, please visit the AAKP website, www.aakp.org/events/Medal-of-Excellence.