TAMPA, Fla.– The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) hosted another successful patient meeting at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. It was the Association’s 39th Patient Meeting. Nearly 200 patients, family members and health care professionals participated in two days of educational sessions and networking.
AAKP kicked-off its annual meeting with the 2nd Annual AAKP Public Policy Briefing at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga. Guest speakers included John Rother, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care; Julie Barnes, director of Health Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center; and Douglas Johnson, MD, vice chairman of Dialysis Clinic Inc. Speakers held a lively discussion on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will affect patients.
The association also gave attendees a sneak preview of its new website and logo. The new branding will be applied to all AAKP’s programs, advocacy and products. The new branding is part of the association’s multi-year strategic plan to strengthen its connection with patients, family members and health care professionals.
AAKP honored three outstanding volunteers during the two day event. The AAKP awards banquet was held Friday, August 10 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. Thomas F. Parker, MD, a nephrologist from Dallas, received the A. Peter Lundin Award. Brian Hess, a home hemodialysis dialysis (HHD) patient from Edmond, Okla., received the Samuel Orenstein Award and Kelly Kavanaugh, wife of a kidney transplant recipient was awarded the President’s Award.
“It is always an honor to recognize the contributions of the volunteers who contribute on a regular basis to the on-going success of AAKP and the kidney community,” said AAKP newly elected President Sam Pederson.
The AAKP Board of Directors welcomed several new members, including Daniel Abel, a transplant recipient from Morgantown, W. Va.; Suzie Boland from Tampa, Fla.; Teri Browne, PhD, from Columbia, S.C.; Glen Nathan, a hemodialysis patient from Patchogue, N.Y.; Scott Toner from Irving, Texas; and Linda Umbach, a transplant recipient from Menlo Park, Calif.
For more information about the American Association of Kidney Patients, please visit www.aakp.org or call 1-800-749-2257.
