TAMPA, Fla.—The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announced March 16 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.
“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,” said AAKP President Roberta “Bobbi” Wager, RN, MSN. “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.”
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 send an e-mail to info@aakp.org.
