Casey Martens, MSN, FNP-C

Medications to manage HIV may impact renal function. This session will review the current state of HIV progression and survivability, first-line drugs used to treat HIV, and the potential impact of these medications on renal function, such as kidney injury and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN).

Tyson Moore, APRN, FNP-C, CPN

This session will focus on current hot topics in pediatric nephrology care and issues surrounding the transition from pediatric to adult care for nephrology patients.

Richard Knight, MBA, BA

The session will feature a panel of patients and a nephrology nurse. Richard Knight, president of the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), will serve as moderator and probe areas such as telemedicine, patient engagement, and the evolving role of the nephrology nurse from the patient’s perspective. Panelists will take into account the impact of COVID-19 as well as the continued pursuit of goals outlined in the Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health – increased home dialysis, increased transplantation, and early detection of kidney disease.

Mitch Rosner, MD, MACP

This session will include a discussion of the etiology, incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for acute kidney injury. The RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classifications, treatment options, and patient outcomes also will be reviewed.

Peter Hathaway, MD

Access devices continue to evolve, and this session will focus on newer access devices such as the HeRO® graft and percutaneous fistula. Discussion will address access placement, opportunities for earlier use in patients compared to other options, postoperative care, and access maintenance.

Rasheed Balogun, MD, FACP, FASN, HP

If you are interested in creating an apheresis program at your facility, this session is for you! The session will cover the fundamental requirements to start an apheresis program as well as the importance of determining the appropriate patient population for this treatment. Considerations related to budgeting, equipment, supplies, staffing, billing, and reimbursement also will be reviewed.

Sharon Longton, BSN, RN, CNN, CCTC

This session will focus on increased risk organ donations. Discussion will include the utilization and survival rates for transplant recipients who receive an organ with a high kidney donor profile index (KDPI). An additional highlight will be the education that nephrology nurses should provide to patients.

Carol Ballew, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCTC, CHFN

Learn more about the incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in chronic kidney disease. Discussion will include diagnostic evaluations to determine VTE, therapeutic management (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic), and medications with renal dosing considerations.

Sharon Bragg, DNP, RN, CCRN

What are nurse residency programs and why are they becoming increasingly important in today’s work environment? This session will answer these questions and provide an overview of nurse residency programs, including benefits to specialty areas, costs, suggestions for marketing, and the necessary program evaluation process.

Deborah Cote, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC

Are you considering a transitional care unit in your institution? Learn more about why institutions are creating transitional care programs, what the program goals should be, and the relation to dialysis. Steps to implement a transitional unit and ways to evaluate outcomes once the unit is functional will be shared.

Mary Schira, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC

Adrenal pathologies are not uncommon in individuals with renal disease. This session will provide an overview of adrenal hormones, pathologies causing increased or decreased secretion of these hormones, evaluation of adrenal function in patients, and therapeutic management of adrenal pathologies.

Donna Bednarski, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CNN, CNP
Jim Twaddell

Expert faculty will bring attendees up to date on the Advancing American Kidney Health initiative and provide an in-depth look at current and future ANNA strategies and programs to address the goals of this initiative. A highlight will be the role of each nephrology nurse as we move toward achieving these goals.