Tampa, Fla.– The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) would like to thank patients, renal professionals, exhibitors and sponsors for their participation in the Association’s 36th Annual National Convention
AAKP held its first National Convention in 1973. Over time, it has become the largest event of its kind where patients and renal professionals gather for three days of educational sessions and fun social events. Educational sessions included: Why Do I Have Reduced Kidney Function, Innovations in Kidney Disease, Transplantation 101: How Do I Get A Kidney Transplant, and There’s No Place Like Home: Home Dialysis Options.
“We received great feedback regarding the educational sessions from patients,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “Several attendees told me they received valuable information that they plan on taking back to their hometown and sharing it with their family, friends and fellow kidney patients.” A
AKP recognized several patients and organizations that have made significant contributions to the kidney community over the past year. Nominations were received from across the country from kidney patients and health care professionals. The awards were presented during the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Winners included:
- Bob Abbott, Pine Bluff, AK – Community Achievement Award
- John Aragon, Albuquerque, NM – Patient Comeback of the Year Award
- Walter Bender, MD; Kansas City, MO – Peter Lundin, MD Award
- Terry Butcher, U.S. Virgin Islands – Caregiver of the Year Award
- Tejas Desi, MD; Greenville, NC – Maureen Lundin aakpRENALIFE Award
- Sam Pederson, Seattle, WA – AAKP Volunteer of the Year Award
- Betty Rinaldi, Tampa, FL – Josephine Berman Award
- Roberta Wager, RN, MSN; San Antonio, TX - Samuel Orenstein Award
- Joseph White, Potomac, MD (Posthumously) – Kris Robinson Memorial Award
- Tampa Bay Kidney Community, Tampa, FL – Support Group of the Year Award
- ESRD Network 8 (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee) – Dominick Gentile Award
“It was an honor to recognize patients and organizations who have contributed so much to the renal community,” said AAKP Executive Director Kim Buettner. “Their work on behalf of kidney patients and their passion for all those affected by kidney disease is commended and should be recognized.”
Pictures from the 2009 AAKP National Convention are posted on the AAKP Web site,http://www.aakp.org/events/convention/2009/Convention-Memories . For more information about AAKP please call (800) 749-2257 or visit www.aakp.org
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.
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