Global Outreach Postings
Leadership
Dimitrios Oreopoulos passed away peacefully in palliative care on April 25, 2012, one month shy of his 76th birthday. It had been his fervent wish to work until his final day, and he indeed only closed down his office at his beloved Toronto Western Hospital on March 31.
Although his postdoctoral training in Belfast focused on mineral metabolism, he was asked to take over a nascent peritoneal dialysis unit upon his recruitment to Toronto. He transformed the unit, and indeed the practice of peritoneal dialysis worldwide, over the next four decades. He was a passionate proponent of the therapy, and wrote prolifically on all of its aspects. He founded the Peritoneal Dialysis Bulletin in 1980, to allow for communication about this unfamiliar treatment to be disseminated throughout the world. The Bulletin evolved into Peritoneal Dialysis International, the official organ of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis, for which he was the editor for many years.
It is clear that his greatest legacy, however, was the kindness and mentorship that he showed colleagues over the years, and especially in the last decade of his life. The collective grief that I have witnessed since his passing reflects the bond felt by those who worked with him, visited him, and learned from him. Our world is diminished by his passing.
Joanne M. Bargman
The ISN wishes to announce the death on April 12, 2012 of ISN Past-President, Dr. George Schreiner. He was 89 years old.
Dr. Schreiner was ISN President from 1978-1981, and was a great pioneer in nephrology. For many years he led the nephrology program at Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. He made many substantial academic contributions, especially in the science of dialysis.
In the early 1970s, Dr. Schreiner spearheaded major legislation that resulted in the US federal government’s support of dialysis and transplantation modalities through the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Medicare Program, ensuring that renal replacement therapy became available to people in the US regardless of their ability to pay.
ISN, as part of its Video Legacy Project, some years ago recorded an interview with Dr. Schreiner, which you can access here.
Nomination deadline extended: the leadership and councillor elections 2013 Featured
Written by Sally Horspool
The ISN Nominating Committee has decided to extend the consultation within the ISN membership for the 2013 leadership elections until Wednesday May 30, 2012. The Nominating Committee is welcoming suggestions from any member of ISN in relation to potential candidates for President Elect.
According to ISN bylaws, to be eligible to be a candidate for President Elect the potential candidate must have been in an ISN Councilor in the past or at present.
To suggest a candidate for the President Elect postion, send an e-mail to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , naming the ISN member who you think should be considered for President Elect and a short (one paragraph) description of the merits and reasons for this nomination by Wednesday May 30, 2012.
At this stage no additional documents, CV or other information are required. Multiple e-mails in support of any candidate will not influence this preliminary part of the process. The Nominating Committee will consider all names who are suggested to them, and will obtain any further documentation and information where necessary to assist their final decisions.
The Nominating Committee is also welcoming suggestions from any member of ISN in relation to potential candidates for Council in the following regions:
- North Asia (1 vacancy in 2013)
- South & Central Asia (1 vacancy in 2013)
- Australia, New Zealand & Polynesia (1 vacancy in 2013)
- North America (1 vacancy in 2013)
- Scandinavian Europe (1 vacancy in 2013)
- Latin America (3 vacancies in 2013)
To suggest a candidate for a Council position, please complete the online nomination form that you have received by e-mail before Wednesday May 30, 2012. This will take approximately 15 minutes as you will be required to answer specific questions regarding the leadership skills and specific achievements of your nominee. After submission of the form, please send a full CV of the candidate to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by email.
If you have misplaced the password or have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
UBC Vancouver connects nephrologists locally and worldwide Featured
Written by Sally HorspoolISN is dedicated to bringing together nephrologists, improving educational opportunities for doctors from all walks of life. On March 19, 2012, ISN Fellow Anila Abraham from Madras Medical Mission in Chennai gave a superb lecture to nephrology fellows at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
She spoke about the causes of acute kidney injury, describing the geography and social background of India, with a focus on southern India. She also shared the results of an epidemiological study she has been conducting based on 857 biopsies gathered over eight months.
"We are thrilled that we were able to connect nephrologists around the province, our trainees and a pathologist from India and the US in one location," explains ISN Secretary General Adeera Levin who heads the nephrology division at the University of British Columbia.
Following this seminar, Agnes Fogo, ISN Councilor and chair of the ISN Pathology Committee, connected through telecast to five different sites around British Columbia. She delivered a lecture about the progression and regression of chronic kidney disease from a pathologist's perspective. Some 75 people learned about new research into the mechanisms responsible scarring. The meeting gathered a varied group of participants including nephrologists, residents, fellows, dieticians, social workers, nurses and pharmacists.
Abraham and Fogo were in Vancouver for the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology's annual meeting and agreed to take time out from that conference to share their research with the nephrology community in British Columbia.
New York Times publishes amazing transplant story
Written by Sally HorspoolThe New York Times has published a story on a record chain of kidney transplants that took place over four month across 17 hospitals. More than a decade after the first organ swap in the United States, the transplant world remains disjointed, with competing private registries operating with little government oversight or regulation. The NYT explores how the current system continues to hamper transplantation efforts.
To read more, CLICK HERE.
ISN successfully transitions to a stand-alone society Featured
Written by Sally HorspoolBrussels, Belgium (January 19, 2012) - The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is happy to announce its successful transition to a stand-alone, self-managed society, which becomes effective January 2012. This comes after three years of collaboration with Interel Association Management, preceded by 6 years with MCI. ISN is a not-for-profit medical society which pursues the worldwide advancement of education, science and patient care in nephrology through its humanitarian and philanthropic mission.
“Sustainability and diversity will remain at the forefront of ISN’s activities and initiatives as a stand-alone society” comments John Feehally, ISN President. Developing sustainable education, training and capacity building programs will continue as one of our main priorities in 2012 so that the exciting growth that we are now seeing in nephrology can continue in many developing countries,” he adds.
ISN hired Interel’s association management group in 2008 to help build and strengthen the Society with a view to set-up its own offices and administrative structure within three to five years. Since 2009, strategic and operational planning has been put in place, a new team recruited, and all essential facilities identified, with the aim of supporting a smooth HR and administrative transition.
Luca Segantini, ISN’s executive director, says, “with ISN as a stand-alone society and a committed team, we are now able to bring our members even closer to those involved in managing ISN’s programs and events, both volunteer leaders and staff. We feel we are well positioned to strengthen ISN operations, which are key to our mission and vision.”
While bringing the bulk of its activities under independent management, ISN has left some key projects under the management of Interel Association Management, namely the event logistics of the ISN Nexus and Forefronts educational events as well as the annual World Kidney Day public awareness campaign. ISN will manage all its activities and programs from its brand new offices in Brussels, Belgium, and Cranford, NJ, USA.
ISN announces new KI Editor in Chief Featured
Written by Sally Horspool
The ISN Executive Committee is delighted to announce that Detlef Schlondorff has been appointed as the new Editor in Chief of Kidney International (KI), to succeed Qais Al-Awqati in early 2012.
Detlef has had a long association with both ISN and Kidney International, lately as Associate Editor. Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and Visiting Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He has exciting plans for KI, and a clear vision for its future.
KI has flourished under Qais, and will go from strength to strength under Detlef. ISN’s flagship is therefore in good hands!
ISN is happy to announce the launch of the new ISN Blog. To access the blog straight away, CLICK HERE.
From now on you can stay updated on the latest activities of each of the ISN leaders as they take part in the ISN Global Outreach (GO) Programs or other meetings and events worldwide.
ISN President John Feehally, ISN Secretary General Adeera Levin and ISN GO Continuing Medical Education Program Chair Norbert Lameire have already have started blogging about their recent trips representing ISN in developing countries and their involvement in raising awareness about kidney disease.
Check out their posts now, start a discussion online and get to know the members of ISN better.
ISN Leaders announce official statement on diversity Featured
Written by Sally HorspoolPromoting diversity has become one of ISN's main priorities recently as it was one of the themes of this year's World Congress of Nephrology.
Today, ISN leaders are continuing to emphasize this message by releasing a position statement on diversity.
Find out more and click here to read the full-length version of this document.
One to one with ISN President John Feehally
Written by Sally HorspoolNewly-elected ISN President takes time out from his ISN duties to talk shop and highlight the challenges ahead.