Tampa, FL; November 1, 2011 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is now accepting nominations for its Annual Medal of Excellence Award. Nominations must be received on or before November 30, 2011.

The AAKP Medal of Excellence Award is presented to a renal physician who has made exceptional lifelong contributions to the kidney community and who has also made substantial improvements to the welfare of kidney patients through public service activities in education, science, technology and public policy.

Candidates for the Medal of Excellence Award must show: 
• Participation in the development of educational programs designed to enhance the patient/family understanding of kidney disease;
• Participation in patient education programs including, but not limited to, local and national teleconferences, seminars and conventions/conferences; or
• Current and/or past research/activities that have made significant change to the way patient care is administered; or
• Current and/or past research/activities focused on enhancing patient care including, but not limited to, the development of educational tools for patients and/or health care professionals; medical equipment for patients and or/ health care professionals; pharmaceuticals. 

The Medal of Excellence Award is presented at an Award Dinner held during the Renal Physicians Association (RPA) Annual Meeting Friday, March 16, 2012, at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. AAKP created the award to acknowledge the contributions of renal physicians who work diligently to enhance the quality of life for kidney patients and their families.

The 2011 Medal of Excellence Award Winners are Raymond Hakim, MD and Allen Nissenson, MD. To see a complete list of past Medal of Excellence Award recipients, please visit www.aakp.org/events/Medal-of-Excellence/past. Members of the 2012 AAKP Medal of Excellence selection committee include Tom F. Parker, III, MD; Raymond Hakim, MD; Allen Nissenson, MD; Christopher Blagg, MD; Leslie Wong, MD; Barry Straube, MD; Stephen Z. Fadem, MD.

For more information on the AAKP Medal of Excellence Award or to download a 2012 nomination form, please visit www.aakp.org/events/Medal-of-Excellence or call 1-800-749-2257. 
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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.