According to a 2024 World Health Organization study, over the last 50 years vaccines have saved over 154 million lives worldwide from over 20 life threatening diseases. As vaccines are facing skepticism, we are here to cut through the noise and lay out the facts as to why staying up-to-date on vaccinations is especially important for kidney patients.

This episode is sponsored by Moderna.

In today's episode we heard from:

Mary Baliker has been a dedicated healthcare advocate for the past 40 years, and is involved in several kidney initiatives regionally, nationally and globally. Mary was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of nine and since then has undergone hemodialysis and received four kidney transplants. As a result of this life-long journey, Mary cherishes her life and possesses a strong desire to help improve the healthcare experience, health outcomes and quality of life for patients with kidney disease. In addition to publishing multiple peer reviewed articles related to the kidney patient experience, Mary is the author of Maria Never Gives Up, a story written to help children and families facing chronic illnesses. Her book is distributed across transplant and dialysis centers nationwide and is available for purchase online

William Werbel, MD, PhD is a transplant infectious diseases physician and scientist at Johns Hopkins focused on optimizing protection against infections in immunocompromised persons. He completed clinical and research fellowship in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins following MD training at the University of Michigan and internal medicine residency and chief residency at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. He is the current Associate Director for Epidemiology and Quantitative Sciences in the Johns Hopkins Transplant Research Center and principal investigator of the national Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) cohort study. He receives NIH funding to study the landscape of infections in transplant recipients and evaluate the real-world impact of vaccination using a combination of epidemiological and laboratory approaches.

Additional Resources:

Vaccines for CKD Patients

Vaccine Integrity Project

IDSA Immunization Resources

Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) Study

Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Discover expert insights on kidney stone prevention and management in this podcast episode featuring a physician, dietitian, pharmacist, and patient. Learn about key kidney stone risk factors and explore how dietary adjustments can reduce stone recurrence. Experts discuss fluid intake strategies, medication considerations, surgical indications, and even unconventional questions about roller coasters’ impact on stone passage. Tune in for actionable advice, myth-busting discussions, and interprofessional perspectives.

On today's episode we heard from:

Melanie Betz, MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND is a nationally recognized renal dietitian and the Founder & CEO of The Kidney Dietitian. She is a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition and a Fellow of both the National Kidney Foundation and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Melanie has published extensively on kidney stone prevention and nutrition, and has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences on the topic. Through her clinical work, research, and educational outreach, she is dedicated to helping patients and professionals understand the critical role of diet in kidney health.

Mark Garofoli, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, CPE, CTTS is a Clinical Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a Clinical Pain & Addiction Pharmacist. With expertise in pain management, substance use disorders, and geriatric care, he brings both clinical and personal perspectives to kidney stone discussions. Mark has shared his experience through the Pain Pod podcast, PAINWeek presentations, and a published article detailing his own kidney stone journey.

Mary Raines, CRA is a retired clinical research associate with more than 30 years of experience in medical research. After learning she needed a kidney transplant, she dedicated herself to advocacy and now serves as a Patient Advocate with the National Kidney Foundation and other kidney health organizations. Mary brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work, amplifying the voices and needs of people living with kidney disease.

Andrew Rule, MD, MSc is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He divides his time between clinical care, research, and education, with a particular focus on kidney stone disease and its link to chronic kidney disease. Dr. Rule has published extensively on the epidemiology of kidney stones and provides specialized care in the Mayo Clinic’s nephrology stone clinic.

Bryan Tucker, DO, MS, FASN is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he serves as a clinician educator teaching medical students, residents, and fellows while caring for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University and completed his nephrology fellowship at Yale. A Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Tucker has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is an active contributor to The Kidney Commute podcast.

Additional Resources:

Kidney Stone Information

Earn CME Credit Here

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This NKF Live crossover episode features a discussion on shared decision making on medical treatment options for people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Our faculty includes a patient expert and advocate -- the actor and Substack author, Taylor Coffman, as well as two nephrologists, Holly Koncicki, MD and Ramy Hanna, MD, an expert on aHUS. They’ll cover a range of topics, with a focus on how to work with your medical team to achieve the best outcomes in aHUS. This discussion provides valuable tips and information not only for people with aHUS, but for all others who wish to gain insight into how to work with the most effectively with their medical team.

In today's episode we heard from:

Taylor Coffman is an actor, writer, podcast-maker, and mother with pregnancy-triggered aHUS. As a performer, she can be seen in Silicon Valley, Feud: Bette and Joan, and Life In Pieces, among others. Following her remission, Taylor also started work as a patient advocate helping those with life-changing diagnoses. She’s a patient expert and the author of Rare Disease Girl substack, sharing her journey and life-navigation tools weekly

Dr. Ramy Hanna ia an Associate Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at the University of California Irvine. He’s a clinician-educator who’s devoted to patient education and research on kidney diseases like aHUS. Dr. Hanna is focused on working with underserved communities, as well as improving the diagnostic process and treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Holly Koncicki graduated from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowship training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Palliative Medicine and Hospice. She is one of a few physicians who has trained in an integrated program of Nephrology and Palliative Medicine and is part of a small group of experts in this field. Though she cares for patients with all types of kidney problems, her specialty is caring for older patients with kidney impairment. She is widely published and has spoken nationally on topics including decision making in advanced kidney disease and symptom management. Her research focuses on communication tools to improve communication between patients and providers around discussion of treatment options for kidney disease. In 2020, she was honored by receiving the Cullman Family Physician Communication Award. She prides herself in learning each patient’s narrative that she treats, so she can best understand how to care for them.

Additional Resources:

Learn More About aHUS

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GLP-1 medications like Ozempic were designed to treat diabetes—but they’re quickly becoming known for weight loss and possible kidney benefits. Kidney doctor Holly Kramer and kidney patients Patrick Gee, and Jane DeMeis, are here to break down what these medications are, how they work, and what people with kidney disease need to know.

In today's episode we heard from:

Holly Kramer, M.D., MPH, is a practicing nephrologist who conducts research connecting nutrition and kidney health. Her connection to the National Kidney Foundation was inspired by her mom, who was a dialysis nurse and helped create some of the first dialysis units in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Kramer finds being on the NKF Board important, because it is the largest, patient-centered organization focusing on kidney disease. Her long-term goal is to increase national funding for kidney disease research and to heighten awareness about chronic kidney disease.

Jane DeMeis became involved with the National Kidney Foundation when she was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 kidney disease. She is currently on home hemodialysis and the transplant waitlist. Ms. DeMeis was the Director of Education and Organizational Development for U R Medicine Home Care. Part of her responsibilities was working with clinicians in teaching them how to present education to patients. She also was the Chairperson of the Patient Family Centered Care program and worked with improving home care through patient advocacy. In 2018, Ms. DeMeis retired. She had been fighting CKD along with Psoriatic Arthritis for many years and needed to focus on her health. She currently serves as a member of NKF's Kidney Advocacy Committee, as an Ambassador for NKF's online communities, and also as a NKF Peer mentor. Her other volunteer activities include being on the Board of the Perinton Food Shelf and working with clients as the Lead Verifier. She and her husband sing with the Perinton Senior Chorus and enjoy working in their garden.

Patrick Gee is a Community Activist, fighting against systemic issues such as poverty, social and racial injustices, criminal justice reform, and education reform. Patrick worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where during his time in service, he acquired several awards and recognitions. In April 2013, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage 3b End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). He began doing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) in December 2013. On April 21, 2017, Patrick received a kidney transplant. Patrick has been very passionate in his pursuit to speak on behalf of the underserved, undervalued, and disenfranchised communities of color. Because of this, he serves as an advocate and kidney patient expert for a number of organizations including the NKF, CMS, FDA, KHI, AKF, AAKP and HDU. Patrick was the 2025 winner of NKF's Celeste Lee Castillo Patient Engagement Award.

Additional Resources:

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

NKF Supports Proposal to Expand Access to Weight-Loss Medications

Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Imagine you’ve been on the kidney transplant waitlist for years, hoping for a second chance at life. Then, one day, you find out that your estimated wait time was longer than it should have been—not because of your health, but because your kidney function was calculated using a race coefficient. That was the reality Black kidney patients faced. Now, that’s changing. Dr. Vinay Nair, the Medical Director at North Shore University Hospital and Northwell Health, Morgan Reid, NKF’s former Senior Transplant Policy and Strategy Director, and two kidney warriors Michele Bibby and Brittany Dickerson are here to break down the impact of removing race from eGFR and what that means for transplant patients

In today's episode we spoke to:

Dr. Vinay Nair, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell and the medical director of kidney transplantation for Northwell Health. Dr. Nair’s clinical and research interests include novel immunosuppressive protocols, kidney paired exchange and infectious and malignant complications after transplantation. He serves as part of CERCA (coalition to end racism in clinical algorithms), the editorial board and reviewer of several nephrology and transplant journals, and has served in the UNOS kidney transplantation committee. Dr. Nair has published on various transplant related topics and co-authored book chapters on immunosuppression and post-transplant malignancy. He is an advocate for equality in medicine and has spoken at several community outreach events on the importance of chronic kidney disease recognition and kidney transplantation.

Michele Bibby is President of MAB Consulting Services. Michele provides mental health education, advocacy, and policy analysis to public and private entities. Michele designs and delivers mental health workshops and training. Michele delivers public speeches and presentations on mental health topics. Michele Bibby previously enjoyed a successful career in Human Resources Management in the Private and Public Sector. Michele has a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification. Michele is a Certified Peer Specialist and a Certified Mediator. Michele serves as Board Chair for Via Hope a Texas Mental Health Nonprofit. Michele also serves on the National Kidney Foundation “Kidney Advocacy Committee” and the “Health Equity Sub Committee”. Michele holds a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin (1984).

Morgan Reid is the Regional Patient Advocacy Manager for Ardelyx, Inc. Previously, she worked at the National Kidney Foundation as the Senior Director of Healthcare Policy and Strategy. She is a tireless patient advocate and also a kidney recipient herself.

Brittany Dickerson- I am a dedicated mother, motivational speaker, and compassionate life coach living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). I use my kidney failure battle to educate and help others regarding kidney disease and transplantation. My personal journey has fueled my passion for helping others navigate life's challenges with courage and grace. Through partnership with the National Kidney Foundation, I have had the opportunity to mentor others and to be a guest for the National Kidney Foundation Podcast channel. My dedication to kidney awareness has led me to pursue becoming a National Kidney Foundation Advocate. I use my voice to spread my powerful message of perseverance and hope. My goal is to continue making an impact on individuals facing adversity, offering guidance, support, and being a shining example of strength in the face of hardship.

Additional Resources:

Removing Race-Based eGFR

Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Did you know that people who have received a kidney transplant are at a much higher risk for skin cancer? We sat down with experts to discuss how you can lower your risk.

In this episode we heard from:

Dr. Cerrene Giordano is a dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgeon at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. She specializes in treating skin cancers, particularly in patients who are high risk such as those who have received organ transplants, have weakened immune systems, or a genetic predisposition to skin cancer development. Her expertise includes skin cancer surgery, wound reconstruction, and the management of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, to name a few. Dr. Giordano is also involved in research aimed at improving pain management following dermatologic surgeries and exploring advanced imaging techniques to enhance surgical outcomes.

Kent Bressler is a retired RN who was diagnosed with FSGS in 1984, and received a living donor transplant from his brother Kip in 1987. Kent is an active advocate for preemptive kidney transplant and has on the recommendation of NKF worked closely with the DoD and PCORI as a consumer peer reviewer. He is an NKF peer mentor and advocate who has collaborated on an editorial “Change in Albuminuria and GFR as End Points for Clinical Trials in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease,” published in AJKD in 2019. He will also be participating in the development of the new NKF Patient Network serving on the Data Input and Integration Committee. He has been an active hill advocate for the NKF for six years and was the proud recipient of the 2017 Richard K. Salick Advocacy Award. Kent is also an Army Veteran and retired from the Veterans administration as an RN. He is the co-founder of Kidney Solutions a not for profit program in Texas that assists patients and families in the transplant process and in finding a donor. He is currently an assistant team leader for Region 7. Kent and Cathy Bressler have been married for 56 years and their family consists of Gretchen and Todd Rossington and their son Colt and Celeste and Alex Brown and their children John Banks, Catherine and Alexis Brown.

Risa Simon is a passionate author, speaker, mentor, kidney patient coach and advocate. As the founder and CEO of The Proactive Path and the TransplantFirst Academy, her mission is to help all kidney disease patients advocate for their best life possible—the life she now lives. As a preemptive kidney transplant recipient, Risa was able to circumvent the need for dialysis. This is her hope for all eligible kidney patients. Risa gives back a good portion of her time by serving on various advisory committees, such as the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF’s) Kidney Action committee, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) program and convention committees and she chairs the Phoenix Chapter’s Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) education committee. She is also a member of the PKD Legacy Society and serves as a Peer Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Risa’s message is all about empowering kidney patients to bring their voice to life.

Additional Resources:

Dr. Cerrene Giordano

Protect the Skin You're In

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Potassium is an essential mineral, but it is important to make sure you have the right amount. Tune in and hear from experts on how high potassium (hyperkalemia) can impact health and it’s risk in people with advanced chronic kidney disease.

In this episode we heard from:

Briana Douglas is currently a Peer Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation. At 17 yrs old, she was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis. She was then diagnosed with end stage 5 kidney disease, in 2016, and immediately had to start dialysis. After starting hemo dialysis, she remained on treatment for 7 years, experiencing home hemo, peritoneal, nocturnal and in center-hemo dialysis. In 2024, she received a kidney transplant and is now living really well with her new transplant. She also takes pride in being a peer Mentor for NKF to help others with similar experiences.

Dr. Pascale Khairallah, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She specializes in chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation. Dr. Khairallah has been recognized with multiple awards for excellence in patient care and teaching. She has multiple publications in the field of chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorders and kidney transplant outcomes.

Annabel Biruete is an Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University and an Affiliate in the Division of Nephrology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Her broad clinical interest is nutrition in kidney diseases. Her research aims to study the effects of nutritional and pharmacological therapies for chronic kidney disease on the gastrointestinal tract and gut microbiome. Additionally, she is interested in improving outcomes in the Hispanic/Latine community living with chronic kidney disease, primarily through language- and culturally-concordant interventions.

Additional Resources:

High Potassium Information

Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

What does feeling truly seen and supported mean in your health care? For many LGBTQIA+ people with kidney disease, the answer isn’t simple. Jess Walters is a mixed-media artist, Board Certified Patient Advocate, and independent scholar living with a kidney transplant. Marissa is the Patient Programs Director at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and a social worker working to make kidney care more inclusive. Together, they share what supportive care and community look like and why they matter.

In today's episode we heard from:

Jess Walters (they/them) is a mixed-media artist, Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), and independent scholar from Charlottesville, Virginia. They are a multiply-neurodivergent, queer, nonbinary person with Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which caused late-onset deafness and kidney failure at age 29. In 2018, after undergoing two months of peritoneal dialysis, Walters received a kidney transplant from a living donor at the University of Virginia, where they currently serve as an inaugural FusionLab Arts Research Fellow at the Center for Health Humanities and Ethics in the School of Medicine. Their research focuses on the intersections of art and health, navigating accommodations in cultural arts spaces to promote individual and community wellbeing by including disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill participation and perspectives. They regularly participate in Kidney Patient Summits with the National Kidney Foundation and have served as a member of their Diversity & Health Equity Advisory Committee for 4 years.

Marissa Argentina, LMSW is a licensed social worker who has been in the field of nephrology since 2010. She has worked for the National Kidney Foundation since 2015 and has been working on the NKF Peers program 2017. She is currently the Patient Programs Director at the National Kidney Foundation. She had previously worked as a dialysis center social worker in the Bronx, NY.

Additional Resources:

The Impact of Unequal Care for LGBTQ+ Kidney Patients

NKF Online Community: LGBTQIA

NKF Peers

Jess Walters Art

Rivanna Area Queer Center

New City Arts Initiative

Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.