Tampa, FL; November 8, 2011 – Join the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) as it celebrates the extraordinary talents of the nation’s premiere renal physicians at its Annual Medal of Excellence Award Dinner. The AAKP Medal of Excellence Award Dinner honors a nephrologist who has shown exceptional commitment to the kidney disease community - with much success in patient education and advocating quality patient care. The AAKP Medal of Excellence Award Dinner takes place Friday, March 16, 2012, in Washington, DC in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Association’s (RPA) Annual Meeting.

Become a Sponsor
AAKP is seeking partners for its Annual Medal of Excellence Award Program. The program attracts nephrologists and other health care professionals, as well as patients from across the country. “This is one of AAKP’s most prestigious events – allowing the Association to recognize physicians who have dedicated their lives to raising awareness of kidney disease in this country, and helping those who live with kidney disease to have a better quality of life,” stated AAKP President Carolyn G. Price.

According to AAKP Executive Director Karen Ryals, “The success of the AAKP Medal of Excellence Program depends on the generosity of our corporate partners, sponsors and other donors. Sponsorship benefits both our patients and supporters. Patients receive more quality educational programs and our sponsors also benefit from getting involved with marketing and networking opportunities." There are many ways to participate in the 2012 program, including becoming a sponsor, making a donation, placing an advertisement in the dinner program book, purchasing a dinner ticket and/or purchasing dinner tickets for patients to attend the event.

AAKP’s Mission
Proceeds from the AAKP Medal of Excellence Award Program support the Association’s mission. AAKP has become recognized as the leader for patient-centered education. It is continually developing high quality, professionally written and produced educational programs covering every level of kidney disease. The materials are patient focused with language and graphics specifically designed for a non-medical audience. Studies confirm that a better educated patient and family caregiver, working with their health care team of physicians, nurses, social workers and technicians, have improved long term outcomes in both quality of health and ability to lead a more productive and meaningful life.

For more information on Medal of Excellence Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Diana Clynes at dclynes@aakp.org or call 1-800-749-2257. For more information about the 2012 Medal of Excellence Award Dinner, visit www.aakp.org/events/Medal-of-Excellence/2012-Medal-of-Excellence. Full sponsorship recognition if sponsorship is committed by January 31, 2012. All sponsorship applications and funds are due February 16, 2012. 

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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.