Media Contact:
Tenee Hawkins
Director of Communications
404.658.1423
thawkins@kidneyfund.org

For Immediate Release 

American Kidney Fund Debuts Two New Online Courses for Medical Professionals

Rockville, MD (October 13, 2011) - The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has debuted two new online courses for medical professionals: Perspectives on Adherence and Navigating the End Stage Renal Disease Payment System. Both courses offer continuing education credits, which are free of cost depending on type of credit requested.

“We are excited to offer these new courses and hope that professionals across the nation take advantage of these opportunities to improve the quality of patient care,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “Professional education is an integral part of the fight against kidney disease.”

The purpose of the Perspectives on Adherence course is to increase renal professionals’ understanding of adherence issues, which are commonplace in any medical setting where patients are involved.  Faculty for this course includes Mark Meier, MSW, LICSW, and Lesley Dinwiddie, MSN, RN, FNP, CNN, both well-known experts in the dialysis field. This course is intended for physicians, nephrology nurses and technicians and social workers.

Navigating the End State Renal Disease (ESRD) Payment System will help social workers understand the payment systems options required for patients to receive effective dialysis treatment. The course will explore the different options available to a new dialysis patient, the history of the Medicare ESRD program and will provide an overview of the new bundled payment system. This course is presented by Mark Meier, MSW, LICSW.

For more information about both courses, visit the American Kidney Fund website at www.kidneyfund.org/professionals.

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About the American Kidney Fund

The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts. The American Kidney Fund leads the nation in providing charitable assistance to dialysis patients who need help with the costs associated with treating kidney failure. Last year, 101,000 people—1 out of every 4 dialysis patients in the United States—received assistance from the American Kidney Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses. Millions of people nationwide benefit annually from the American Kidney Fund’s efforts to fight kidney disease through public awareness campaigns, free health screenings, health education materials and courses, online outreach, and toll-free health information HelpLine (866-300-2900).

As a nine-time recipient of the top “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator, the American Kidney Fund is ranked among the top 1 percent of charities nationwide for fiscal accountability. In addition, the American Kidney Fund holds an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy; adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit www.kidneyfund.org.