BALTIMORE, Md.—Home Dialyzors United (HDU) held its first awards banquet on Sunday, October 7, 2012. The highlight of the night was the surprise presentation of the HDU Lifetime Appreciation Award to Dr. Christopher R. Blagg for his life-long dedication to improving the lives of home dialyzors.
“Dr. Blagg is more than a nephrologist; he is the voice and conscience of home dialysis,” Rich Berkowitz, founder and president of HDU said.
"I’m particularly grateful to have received this award from a patient organization devoted to home hemodialysis. To be appreciated for my lifetime’s work makes it all that much more worthwhile,” Blagg said.
Blagg presented the award named in his honor. The Christopher R. Blagg Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to two nephrologists for their contributions to the advancement of home dialysis. Drs. Robert S. Lockridge Jr. and Michael A. Kraus were the recipients.
“I was quite honored to receive the Chris Blagg distinguished achievement award presented by Home Dialyzors United," Robert Lockridge said. "Over the last 30 plus years working with dialysis patients; this award, coming from a patient organization, is quite an honor. To have the award named after Dr. Blagg makes it an even greater honor. I appreciate this award and will continue to support patients in trying to help improve their quality of life and outcome”.
“I was honored to share the stage with some of the great minds in home dialysis. I am grateful for this award presented to me from a patient organization – Home Dialyzors United, an organization which helps the lives of others and supports those on home dialysis," Michael Krause said.
Denise Eilers, the conference co-chair and board member presented the HDU Trailblazer Award to Northwest Kidney Centers on their 50th Anniversary for their leading role in the innovation and advancement of home dialysis.
Joyce Jackson, president and CEO accepted the award and said, “We are delighted to receive the HDU Trailblazer Award. This honor spurs our commitment to continuing in home therapy advancements”.
Berkowitz presented the HDU Trailblazer Award to NxStage Medical Inc. for their innovation and advancement of home dialysis and for developing the first commercially available portable home hemodialysis machine. Jeffrey Burbank, founder and CEO of NxStage accepted.
“Bringing solutions that improve the lives of people with renal failure is our passion. Receiving an award from an organization that is led by and focused on dialyzors is especially gratifying. Working together we will continue to push and expand the opportunity of better care for more people," Burbank said. “We are grateful to all of the award recipients. They each exemplify the finest in the renal community and earned the recognition of Home Dialyzors United for their involvement in making home dialysis the best modality of choice for dialysis patients”.
