National Kidney Foundation Presents Nephrologist with J. Michael Lazarus Award

Minnesota's Dr. Kirsten Johansen to be honored at 2021 Spring Clinical Meetings for dedication to kidney health

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Mar 24, 2021, 10:06 ET

NEW YORK, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) considers the work of hundreds of specialists in the field of nephrology and selects among them those who most exemplify the relentless efforts of NKF to enhance the lives of patients through action, education, and accelerating change.

NKF presents this award each year to honor Dr. J. Michael Lazarus for his major contributions to the clinical science and care of dialysis patients, and to recognize individuals whose research has yielded novel insights related to renal replacement therapy.

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) honors Minnesota nephrologist Kirsten L. Johansen, MD, FASN with the Dr. J. Michael Lazarus Award, which recognizes individuals whose research has yielded novel insights related to renal replacement therapy. Dr. Johansen is Nephrology Division Director, Hennepin County Medical Center, Co-Director, Chronic Disease Research Group, Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota. Dr. Johansen will receive the award virtually at NKF’s annual Spring Clinical Meeting.

This year's recipient is Kirsten L. Johansen, MD, FASN, Nephrology Division Director, Hennepin County Medical Center, Co-Director, Chronic Disease Research Group, Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota, for her focus on physical function among patients with end-stage kidney disease and interventions to improve it, and epidemiology of kidney disease with an emphasis on racial and ethnic disparities in progression of chronic kidney disease and access to kidney transplantation.

"I am extremely honored to have even been considered for this award, no less to receive it," Dr. Johansen said. "I am as ever before committed to making a difference to patients with kidney disease and honestly, to make sure that someday I am deserving of this recognition."

Dr. Johansen received her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and her fellowship training at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the 11^th recipient of this top honor.

"Dr. Johansen's research has direct impact on how we can improve the care of patients with kidney disease, to decrease the effects of debility and improve their physical function and quality of life," said NKF President Dr. Paul Palevsky. "She is also committed to mentoring the next generation of nephrology investigators. Her ebullient personality and enthusiasm for her work impacts everyone who works with her. I am honored to present Kirsten this lectureship in Dr. Lazarus' name."

NKF will honor all award winners at the 2021 Spring Clinical Meetings, which will be held virtually April 6-10.

"I really enjoy attending these meetings. Being involved with the planning committee many years ago gave me a close-up view of the creativity that goes into developing the content," Dr. Johansen said. "The Spring Clinical Meetings are consistently excellent, with presentations that integrate the latest clinical science and are timely and relevant to my practice. I also enjoy this meeting because of the attendance of trainees at the residency and fellowship levels. This is a wonderful way to introduce them to nephrology, and it makes me happy to participate in that process in any way I can."

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings
For the past 29 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to NKF's Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings are designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary healthcare teams' skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team. This year's Spring Clinical Meetings will be held virtually April 6-10.

NKF Professional Membership
Healthcare professionals can join NKF to receive access to tools and resources for both patients and professionals, discounts on professional education, and access to a network of thousands of individuals who treat patients with kidney disease.

Kidney Disease Facts
In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don't know they have it. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are almost 4 times more likely than Whites to have kidney failure. Hispanic or Latino people are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic or non-Latino people to have kidney failure.

About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org.

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SOURCE National Kidney Foundation