After a review of the PEXIVAS trial, a large randomized clinical trial involving patients with ANCA vasculitis, Vimal K. Derebail, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of medicine in the division of nephrology and hypertension, and Ronald J. Falk, M.D, chair of the UNC Department of Medicine, have published their interpretation of these findings for patients with … Continued

Dr. Keia Sanderson is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of nephrology and hypertension, specializing in chronic kidney disease and dialysis, acute kidney injury and glomerular diseases. Where are you from? I am originally from Charlotte. I graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and attended medical school at the University of Missouri. … Continued

The UNC Hypertension Clinic at Meadowmont has been awarded the American Heart Association’s Comprehensive Hypertension Center Certification to recognize the practice’s commitment to following proven, research-based treatment guidelines to care for people with complex or difficult-to-treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. “Nearly half of the American population over age 20 has hypertension and many do … Continued

Keisha Gibson, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, and chief of pediatric nephrology, has been named vice chair of diversity and inclusion for the department of medicine. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Gibson to this new position, leading our commitment to nurturing an environment of diversity inclusion,” said Ron Falk, MD, chair … Continued

“All autoimmune diseases have what are called relapsing and remitting tendencies,” says Ron Falk, MD, chair of the UNC Department of Medicine and co-director of the UNC Kidney Center, in a new patient’s guide. “You may have long periods where you feel relatively well followed by severe disease flare-ups or exacerbations.”

Abhijit Kshirsagar, MD, MPH, emphasizes the importance of kidney transplants in the editorial Transplant First, Dialysis Last, joined by Melina Kibbe, MD, chair of the department of surgery, and David Gerber, MD, from the division of abdominal transplant surgery. Published in JAMA Surgery, the editorial recognizes transplants as being cost-effective with the greatest survival advantage, extending life by 7 … Continued

Kidney specialists and public health officials agree, at-risk populations often go untested for chronic kidney disease (CKD) because patients with early CKD have few or no symptoms to indicate kidney damage. Diagnosis at the earliest stage offers the best patient outcomes. Abhi Kshirsagar, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and director of the UNC Kidney Center’s … Continued

The annual dinner for nephrology trainees celebrates graduating fellows and recognizes one faculty member who has shown outstanding commitment and excellence in teaching. Erica Bjornstad, MD, MPH, announced this year’s Maestro Award winner at the recent dinner for 2019 graduates, and her speech reflected the collective thoughts and praises for Dr. Keisha Gibson, associate professor … Continued

The global exchange of knowledge between practicing healthcare providers ensures that regions with the greatest need can have access to training and education essential to providing effective health services. These exchanges also form student mentor bonds, and the experiences can bring life changing perspectives. Dr. Jimba Jatsho is one of the first two pediatricians to … Continued

Community practice and academic health care professionals joined together at the 33rd annual meeting of the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network (GDCN) on Saturday, May 4, in Chapel Hill. The guest speaker was Jai Radhakrishnan, MD, professor of medicine and director of nephrology clinical services at Columbia University Medical Center. His presentation focused on minimal change … Continued