MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
Highlights From the 2014 National Kidney Foundation Clinical Meetings Lisa Gutekunst, MSEd, RD, CSR, CDN
I
ALWAYS LOOK forward to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Clinical Meetings. It is such a fun and productive event. I always walk away feeling both exhausted and refreshed at the same time. This was true of this year’s event in Las Vegas, NV. Yes, I will be sharing what happened in Vegas! The week started with record breaking attendance at the preconference sessions ‘‘Foundations of Nutrition Practice for Kidney Disease (Strategies I)’’ and ‘‘Advanced Practice in Renal Nutrition: Update 2014 (Strategies II)’’. There were 40 attendees at Strategies I and 60 attendees at Strategies II. This is a testament of the strength of the sessions that our Chairpersons Louise Clement and Kathy Shiro Harvey put together. The executive committee (EC) also met during the preconference days. We focused on ways to improve communication between the EC and the local councils and assessing the profession needs of the nephrology dietitian. Members can expect more announcements coming from their region representatives and other members of the EC, in addition to a needs assessment survey this fall. The EC recognizes the fact that the role of the nephrology dietitian has changed since the implementation of the Conditions for Coverage and the ‘‘bundling’’. We also recognize that the new Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance (SOP/SOPP) create unique educational and support opportunities. We want to be your source for professional growth, and the only way to do this is to understand what you need. During the EC meeting, we also recognized the successes of previous years’ work. In addition to the joint collaboration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Renal Practice Group on the development and publication of the SOP/ SOPP, another joint project has brought a positive outcome. Back in 2011, a collaboration between the two groups started work on developing and distributing educational material on the diet needs of the chronic kidney disease patient to dietitians in manufacturing and corporate markets. As a result,
DaVita, Inc, Williamsville, New York. Financial Disclosure: The author declares that there are no relevant financial interests. Address correspondence to Lisa Gutekunst, MSEd, RD, CSR, CDN, DaVita, Williamsville, NY 14221. E-mail: [email protected] Ó 2014 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. 1051-2276/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.05.002
Journal of Renal Nutrition, Vol 24, No 5 (September), 2014: pp 343-344
Healthy Choice frozen entrees now list both the potassium and phosphorus on its labels! The group also discussed the recent Food and Drug Administration’s proposed Nutrition Label. With the last revision of the Nutrition Label, the NKF lobbied for the addition of potassium and the change in calcium from percent daily value (%DV) to milligrams. These suggestions were included on this year’s proposed label! The NKF and the American Society of Nephrologists will work together to propose adding phosphorus to the next label review. Additionally, Dr. Sharon Moe will compose a letter to the Food and Drug Administration outlining the reasons why phosphate additives should be removed from the Generally Regarded As Safe list. At the annual Council on Renal Nutrition Networking luncheon, we honored our outgoing officers, incoming officers, and award winners. Dr. Juan Jesus Carrero, PharmD, PhD, MBA received the Joel D. Kopple Award this year. Dr. Carrero has spent his career focusing on nutrition and catabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease. His research encompasses the malnutrition–inflammation syndrome, endocrine alterations, clinical monitoring of nutritional status, and patients’ dietary patterns and habits. At the award presentation, Dr. Carrero presented his findings on how different diets (whole grain, vegetarian, and Mediterranean) can improve the health of our patients. His presentation challenged the current diet recommendations and gave us all insight into how we should look to incorporate healthy eating into our patients’ diets. Karen Wiesen, MS, RD, LDN received the Outstanding Service Award for her years of service to the CRN. Karen has been instrumental at providing educational opportunities for nephrology dietitians. She has served as Chair at her local CRN, the Chair of the EC, and has been a committee member for the Annual Dialysis Conference. She has been one of the driving forces behind the updates of A Clinical Guide to the Nutrition Care in Kidney Disease. In addition to all of this work, Karen also speaks nationally on various nephrology nutrition topics and hosts nutrition interns. Katy Wilkins MS, RD received the Susan C. Knapp Award for her long-term commitment to mentoring others. In addition to mentoring nutrition interns and fellow nephrology dietitians, Katy mentors Boy Scouts, church members, family, and friends. Her luncheon presentation on mentoring was not only touching but also inspiring. Cathy Goeddeke-Merikel, MS, RDN, LD was this year’s recipient of the Recognized Renal Dietitian 343
344
GUTEKUNST
Award. Cathy is well known not only to the CRN but also to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Renal Practice Group membership for her participation on many projects and committees including the SOP/ SOPP, the EC, and the CM Chair. Cathy has served as the region 3 representative and is currently the feature editor for the Journal of Renal Nutrition as well as the RenaLink editor. The Regional Recognized Renal Dietitians awards went to Christine Swaffor, RDN, CSR, LD for region 2 and
Connie Yost, RD, CD for region 3. Both women have been very active at the local level with not only improving the lives of our patients but also with nutrition interns, their local NKF, and research. Each was nominated by their local CRN for this honor. With more than 400 dietitians attending this year, the turnout was overwhelming! Please mark your calendars for March 25 to 29, 2015 for next year’s meeting in Dallas. Come join me for a great week of learning and a great week of fun networking with other dietitians.
Highlights From the 2014 National Kidney Foundation Clinical Meetings Lisa Gutekunst, MSEd, RD, CSR, CDN
I
ALWAYS LOOK forward to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Clinical Meetings. It is such a fun and productive event. I always walk away feeling both exhausted and refreshed at the same time. This was true of this year’s event in Las Vegas, NV. Yes, I will be sharing what happened in Vegas! The week started with record breaking attendance at the preconference sessions ‘‘Foundations of Nutrition Practice for Kidney Disease (Strategies I)’’ and ‘‘Advanced Practice in Renal Nutrition: Update 2014 (Strategies II)’’. There were 40 attendees at Strategies I and 60 attendees at Strategies II. This is a testament of the strength of the sessions that our Chairpersons Louise Clement and Kathy Shiro Harvey put together. The executive committee (EC) also met during the preconference days. We focused on ways to improve communication between the EC and the local councils and assessing the profession needs of the nephrology dietitian. Members can expect more announcements coming from their region representatives and other members of the EC, in addition to a needs assessment survey this fall. The EC recognizes the fact that the role of the nephrology dietitian has changed since the implementation of the Conditions for Coverage and the ‘‘bundling’’. We also recognize that the new Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance (SOP/SOPP) create unique educational and support opportunities. We want to be your source for professional growth, and the only way to do this is to understand what you need. During the EC meeting, we also recognized the successes of previous years’ work. In addition to the joint collaboration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Renal Practice Group on the development and publication of the SOP/ SOPP, another joint project has brought a positive outcome. Back in 2011, a collaboration between the two groups started work on developing and distributing educational material on the diet needs of the chronic kidney disease patient to dietitians in manufacturing and corporate markets. As a result,
DaVita, Inc, Williamsville, New York. Financial Disclosure: The author declares that there are no relevant financial interests. Address correspondence to Lisa Gutekunst, MSEd, RD, CSR, CDN, DaVita, Williamsville, NY 14221. E-mail: [email protected] Ó 2014 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. 1051-2276/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.05.002
Journal of Renal Nutrition, Vol 24, No 5 (September), 2014: pp 343-344
Healthy Choice frozen entrees now list both the potassium and phosphorus on its labels! The group also discussed the recent Food and Drug Administration’s proposed Nutrition Label. With the last revision of the Nutrition Label, the NKF lobbied for the addition of potassium and the change in calcium from percent daily value (%DV) to milligrams. These suggestions were included on this year’s proposed label! The NKF and the American Society of Nephrologists will work together to propose adding phosphorus to the next label review. Additionally, Dr. Sharon Moe will compose a letter to the Food and Drug Administration outlining the reasons why phosphate additives should be removed from the Generally Regarded As Safe list. At the annual Council on Renal Nutrition Networking luncheon, we honored our outgoing officers, incoming officers, and award winners. Dr. Juan Jesus Carrero, PharmD, PhD, MBA received the Joel D. Kopple Award this year. Dr. Carrero has spent his career focusing on nutrition and catabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease. His research encompasses the malnutrition–inflammation syndrome, endocrine alterations, clinical monitoring of nutritional status, and patients’ dietary patterns and habits. At the award presentation, Dr. Carrero presented his findings on how different diets (whole grain, vegetarian, and Mediterranean) can improve the health of our patients. His presentation challenged the current diet recommendations and gave us all insight into how we should look to incorporate healthy eating into our patients’ diets. Karen Wiesen, MS, RD, LDN received the Outstanding Service Award for her years of service to the CRN. Karen has been instrumental at providing educational opportunities for nephrology dietitians. She has served as Chair at her local CRN, the Chair of the EC, and has been a committee member for the Annual Dialysis Conference. She has been one of the driving forces behind the updates of A Clinical Guide to the Nutrition Care in Kidney Disease. In addition to all of this work, Karen also speaks nationally on various nephrology nutrition topics and hosts nutrition interns. Katy Wilkins MS, RD received the Susan C. Knapp Award for her long-term commitment to mentoring others. In addition to mentoring nutrition interns and fellow nephrology dietitians, Katy mentors Boy Scouts, church members, family, and friends. Her luncheon presentation on mentoring was not only touching but also inspiring. Cathy Goeddeke-Merikel, MS, RDN, LD was this year’s recipient of the Recognized Renal Dietitian 343
344
GUTEKUNST
Award. Cathy is well known not only to the CRN but also to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Renal Practice Group membership for her participation on many projects and committees including the SOP/ SOPP, the EC, and the CM Chair. Cathy has served as the region 3 representative and is currently the feature editor for the Journal of Renal Nutrition as well as the RenaLink editor. The Regional Recognized Renal Dietitians awards went to Christine Swaffor, RDN, CSR, LD for region 2 and
Connie Yost, RD, CD for region 3. Both women have been very active at the local level with not only improving the lives of our patients but also with nutrition interns, their local NKF, and research. Each was nominated by their local CRN for this honor. With more than 400 dietitians attending this year, the turnout was overwhelming! Please mark your calendars for March 25 to 29, 2015 for next year’s meeting in Dallas. Come join me for a great week of learning and a great week of fun networking with other dietitians.
