Announcements

Article Outline

• Transplant Immunosupression: Today's Issues
• ESRD: State of the Art and Charting the Challenges for the Future
• NKF Council of Advanced Practitioners
• 18th International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis

Back to Article Outline

Transplant Immunosupression: Today's Issues 

The “Transplant Immunosupression: Today's Issues” course will be held from September 23-26, 2009, at the Radisson University Hotel, Minneapolis, MN.

The course will focus on current trends in immunosuppressive protocols for the care of transplant recipients, risk factors for transplantation and how to adjust for them, and care of the recipient with specific pre- or posttransplant issues. A major component of the course will be the opportunity to interact with faculty who use different protocols and have opposing views. In addition, the course will offer “How I Do It” sessions where groups of experts discuss how they care for patients with specific transplantation issue. A precourse for transplant coordinators will again be offered.

For more information or for abstract submission, the University of Minnesota's Office of Continuing Medical Education may be contacted by phone (+1-612-626-7600 or +1-800-776-8636), fax (+1-612-626-7766), or e-mail (cme@umn.edu). Additional information is also available online at www.cmecourses.umn.edu.

Back to Article Outline

ESRD: State of the Art and Charting the Challenges for the Future 

The “ESRD: State of the Art and Charting the Challenges for the Future” conference will be held in the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Towers, Boston, MA, from Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26, 2009.

This international, world-class conference, a twentieth anniversary follow up to the 1989 Dallas Morbidity and Mortality Conference, will review and examine progress achieved, the current knowledge of ESRD, and medical and nonmedical determinants of outcomes, with the goal of how to enhance future care. The program, developed by an international steering committee and co-chaired by Drs Theodore Steinman and Thomas Parker, will critically dissect factors that determine patient care, going beyond the usual quality measures. Internationally prominent keynote speakers will explore the role of government in ESRD care and the direction of health care in America. This provocative meeting is endorsed by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), American Society of Nephrology (ASN), European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA), International Society of Nephrology (ISN), and the Renal Physicians Association (RPA).

More information regarding the program and registration is available at www.cme.hms.harvard.edu/courses/ESRD.

Back to Article Outline

NKF Council of Advanced Practitioners 

The National Kidney Foundation is pleased to announced the formation of the Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). While advanced practitioners (physician assistants [PAs], nurse practitioners [NPs], and clinical nurse specialists [CNSs]) have much in common, historically they have lacked a common-ground meeting place. Prior to CAP's creation in Spring 2008, NPs and CNSs were grouped with the NKF's Council of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians and PAs were considered part of the NKF's physician group. Recognition of the growing number of advanced practitioners in the field of nephrology brought about the idea for the council, and from a group of 5 dedicated practitioners, the membership number topped 100 in September 2008, making it a full-fledged council of the NKF.

As a professional membership council within the framework of the NKF, CAP offers its members many benefits, including CME and CE credits, research and travel grants, a listserv, an online newsletter, and an advanced practice track at the annual meeting. CAP's mission is to serve as an advisory resource for the NKF, advanced practitioners, and the community in advancing the care, treatment and education of patients with kidney disease and their families. CAP will also act as an advocate for professional development, research, and health policy for its members. Interested practitioners can visit www.kidney.org for more information.

Back to Article Outline

18th International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis 

The 18th International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis will be held at the Ente Fiera Congress Center, Vicenza, Italy, from Tuesday, June 23rd to Friday, June 26th, 2009.

The Vicenza International Courses are well-renowned scientific events held in the city of famed medieval architect Andrea Palladio. From their inception in 1982, these courses have featured outstanding faculty and gathered participants from around the world. Each year, the conference focuses on peritoneal dialysis, critical care nephrology, or hemodialysis, and the 2009 course is dedicated to a comprehensive review of practice and research in peritoneal dialysis. This course is endorsed by SIN (Società Italiana di Nefrologia), ISN (International Society of Nephrology), ISPD (International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis), and ERA-EDTA (European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association). Several of the most interesting issues in the field will be debated by leading internationally recognized experts, making this important event a not-to-be-missed appointment for beginners and experts alike. The conference will also include a scientific exhibition and proceedings of the course will be published shortly thereafter.

More information, including registration details, may be found at www.vicenzanephrocourses.com.