Los Angeles, California, November 18, 2005—Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and the Association of Minority Nephrologists (AMN) partnered to host a leadership reception on November 11, during Renal Week 2005, the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in Philadelphia.
The reception was attended by minority leaders in the field
of nephrology from across the nation. They voiced their concerns about patient care, practice improvement, disparities in healthcare, education and prevention programs, and the future of renal care.
Keith Norris, M.D., Vice President of Research at Drew and former AMN President stated that the meeting provided and important forum for minority nephrologists who provide care for people suffering from kidney disease.
“Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant public health concern that is also recognized nationally as a critical area of racial/ethnic disparity in health status,” said Norris. “Our member physicians treat large numbers of racial and ethnic minorities. With slightly more than 100 African American Nephrologists in the US, opportunities for them to address their specific concerns are limited.”
Established in 1988, the AMN helps to address the severe under-representation of African American Nephrologists in comparison to the percentage of African American patients with kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although nearly 30 percent of ESRD patients are Black, there are a few more than 100 Black nephrologists in the United States. The same discrepancy exists in the Hispanic and Native American communities.
Industry representatives and government officials were also on hand to share in the discussions. Dr. Lawrence Agodoa, Director of the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination at the National Institutes of Health-National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Dr. Sandra Gadson, President of the National Medical Association, leaders from Abbott Laboratories and the American Kidney Fund the joined in dialogue which Dr. Norris and others hope will continue and grow beyond AMN members.
“More than 20 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease, and nearly 65,000 Americans die from kidney failure each year,” Norris said. “The population of people with kidney disease is increasing by 6 to 7 percent each year, and the rates among ethnic minorities are the greatest. We want to help all nephrologists improve the health of all minorities facing these devastating diseases.”
For more information and about the AMN, please call 323-249-5704 or visit www.aomn.org.
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AMN member Dr. Deanna Cheeks from the
Medical University of South Carolina with
her husband. |
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Svati Patel, of Abbott Laboratories, with
AMN member Dr. Paul Crawford, of
Associates in Nephrology. |
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| Emma Taylor, Drew Clinical Research Center Program Coordinator, with Forrest Daniels, Director of Minority Health Programs for the American Kidney Fund. |
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| Matt Moravec, 2002 graduate of the Drew/NIH-NIDDK National High School Student Summer Research Apprentice Program (NHSSSRAP), gains some insight on nephrology from AMN member Dr. Paul Crawford, of Associates in Nephrology. |
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| Cynthia Gonzalez, 2002 graduate of the Drew/NIH-NIDDK NHSSSRAP, with Emma Taylor, Drew Clinical Research Center Program Coordinator. |
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| Camille Mayfield (left) and Janine Nichols (right), both of Abbott Laboratories, review statistical data with Dr. Keith Norris, Drew Vice President of Research. |
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Svati Patel, Abbott Laboratories, and
Dr. Larry Agodoa, Director of the Office of
Minority Health Research Coordination at
the National Institutes of Health-National
Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases, discuss chronic kidney
disease issues. |
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