Kidney Health Coach
Learn how to become a Kidney Health Coach. Kidney Health Coach is the American Kidney Fund's free, community health education program.
Are you passionate about preventing kidney disease? Do you enjoy educating others about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle? If so, our Kidney Health Coach program may be for you!
Kidney Health Coach is the American Kidney Fund's free, community health education program. The online Kidney Health Coach training course provides information about preventing, managing and treating kidney disease, as well as living a healthy lifestyle through a series of four modules.
- Module 1: Welcome and Kidney Basics
- Module 2: Chronic Kidney Disease Causes, Symptoms and Testing
- Module 3: Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Module 4: Why this Matters and Next Steps
To become a Kidney Health Coach, you must complete all components of the online course (in English | en Español).
After successful completion, you will obtain a certificate of completion. Continuing education (CE) credits are available at no-cost to eligible health care professionals.
Para convertirse en un Kidney Health Coach, debe completar todos los componentes del curso en línea (en inglés | en español). Después de completar el curso con éxito, obtendrá un certificado de finalización. Los créditos de educación continua (CE) están disponibles sin costo para los profesionales de atención medica elegibles.
Online Course
Take the Kidney Health Coach Course
As a Kidney Health Coach, you will have access to the Kidney Health Coach online portal, which includes tools and resources to help you host education sessions. You will also receive support and guidance from dedicated AKF staff members leading the program. Coaches can find support and share their experiences through the connected community of Kidney Health Coaches doing similar work.
Como un Kidney Health Coach, tendrás acceso al portal en línea, que incluye herramientas y recursos para ayudarlo a organizar sesiones educativas. También recibirá apoyo y orientación de miembros dedicados del personal de AKF que lideran el programa. Los entrenadores pueden encontrar apoyo y compartir sus experiencias a través de la comunidad conectada de entrenadores de salud renal que realizan un trabajo similar.
Who can become a Kidney Health Coach?
Anyone interested in educating others about kidney disease can become a Kidney Health Coach. Although the program is helpful to those who work in the health field, you do not need to have a health background to become a Kidney Health Coach.
Why 'coach'?
Coaches have strong relationships with their team. Our hope is that as a Kidney Health Coach you will develop trusting relationships with the people you educate to prevent and fight kidney disease.
Connect with AKF staff
We are here to help. Email us at education@kidneyfund.org for support. We will do our best to respond to your inquiry within 7 business days.
Kidney Health Coach Advisory Council
Candice Stephens
Candice Stephens and is a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient. She was born and currently resides in Macon, GA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Accounting from Valdosta State University. She has over 16 years of accounting experience as an auditor and financial consultant. Candice is also a realtor with Century 21 Homes and Investments. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband & her daughter, traveling, reading, and shopping.
Debbie Adam
Debbie Adam is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and received her B.S. in Biological Sciences with Research Honors and B.A. in Spanish Language, Literature & Culture from The University of Maryland, College Park in the Spring of 2022. She co-founded and co-presided the University of Maryland chapter of the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (UMCP KDSAP) for 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 calendar years. Currently, she is an active member of the KDSAP National Communications Committee, where her role is focused on organizing cultural humility trainings and helping chapters across the nation with the implementation of kidney screenings. Debbie recently started as a first-year medical student at The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine this August and holds a vested interest in advancing community health education. She enjoys attempting to cycle and bake, and enjoys attending dinner parties in her free time.
Ethan Pham
My name is Ethan Pham, and I am fourteen years old. I currently live in Orange County, California, where I attend Corona del Mar High School as a 9th grader. I have shadowed a nephrologist at his practice for the past two summers, and have also given Kidney Health Coach presentations at places like a dialysis center and a doctor’s office. Some of my hobbies include playing tennis, traveling, and running.
Jackeline Flores
My name is Jackeline Flores. I was born in Guatemala and I'm currently living in Missouri. I developed an interest in kidney disease since medical school, as we always had a high number of patients who needed medical care. My passion for kidney disease encouraged me to pursue a Nephrology fellowship, which has been one of the most rewarding things I could have ever done. In my free time I like spending time with my husband, hiking outdoors, and listening to music.
Jamie Smythe
I have been a public servant for the last 15 years, as a Paralegal and Notary Public. Since 2011, I have been a patient advocate.I dedicated my life to serving, educating and advocating for the kidney community. I invest in my continuing education and personal development, to be the best advocate that I can be by leading by example and sharing information and resources I have received along the way. I purpose to leave a legacy of faith, hope and love.
Rhonda Hill
My name is Rhonda Hill. I was born in Suffolk Va and currently reside in Raleigh NC. I am a Registered nurse (17 years) and a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina -Wilmington with my Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. My hobbies include photography, resin crafts, painting, woodworking, and house plants.
Tieranee Sturdivant
My name is Tieranee Sturdivant, and I am a proud human resources turned healthcare professional who strives to transform the current standard of kidney care for an underserved market! My passion for serving this community stems from my mother being on dialysis and my brother passing away from end-stage renal disease. I am interested in mitigating the disparities minorities face, particularly Black Americans, due to the increased likelihood of developing kidney disease. I have diverse experience in dialysis clinics, a hospital renal unit, and a value-based kidney care company. In my spare time, I love to read, practice yoga, listen to inspirational podcasts, thrift shop for vintage items, and teach myself how to play the piano.
WallACE Green Sr.
WallACE Green Sr. Retired Navy, Retired Virginia Employment Commission, Founder of Health & Awareness, targeting the underserved, seniors and those suffering health care disparity, Kidney Health Coach and Author of "Why Not Me"- Prevention of Kidney Disease Health guide.
Dialysis patients for a lengthy eight years on the waiting list, received my first kidney gift in 2013, unfortunately, after two months BK virus rejected my gift, I returned to dialysis treatment until the blessing of a second gift after a total of eight years, in 2015.
Targeting senior, underserved, the disadvantaged community suffering from health care disparity people at risk for the past twelve years. Married to a care giving Sandra Green, 4 children 7 grandchildren, and 1 grandchild. A.A. degree in Business; and B.S degree in Sociology at Saint Leo University.
