Professional Events: Interdisciplinary Nephrology Conference
pushing the field forward
education drives progress
The Interdisciplinary Nephrology Conference is an opportunity for dietitians, nurses, social workers and other renal professionals to connect with colleagues, participate in interactive educational workshops, and visit with corporate exhibitors.
This annual symposium is a highlight of the NKFI's professional development calendar. The day begins with a group breakfast, a set of presentations, and visits from corporate exhibitors. Following lunch, attendees will attend in-depth salons, hear from experts, and take part in a series of small breakout sessions and discussions. Previous conference topics have included:
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Information about new medicine
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Professional mental health
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Ethics and patient care
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Dialysis and cardiac health
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Nutrition and kidney health
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Caring for the chronically ill
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New technology and advancements in treatment
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Working with economically disadvantaged patients
In addition to the day's educational programming, the Interdisciplinary Nephrology Conference is also an opportunity for all participating councils to conduct their annual meetings. The conference also offers continuing education credits for nurses, technicians, social workers, and dietitians.
Accreditation/Designation of Credit Statements: In support of improving patient care, the National Kidney Foundation is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE), program to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 5 general continuing education credits. The National Kidney Foundation maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 5 continuing education credits. Licensed social workers should contact their individual jurisdiction to review current continuing education requirements for licensure renewal.
Nurses & Technicians: Awarded 5 contact hours of continuing nursing education (includes 5 contact hours in the area of pharmacology).
Dietitians: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Kidney Foundation is approved to offer dietitian continuing education by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Dietitians completing this course receive 5 continuing education credits.
For More Information
Please contact Rachel DePauw
email: rdepauw@nkfi.org | phone: (312) 321 - 1500 x 258
ticket information
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Early-Bird Registration: $90 (register before 9/19/2025)
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Regular Registration: $100
(register after 9/19/2025)
location & agenda
AGENDA:
8:00-8:30am - Registration
8:30am - Welcome
Rachel DePauw, MPH,CAE
8:40-9:40am - Tolerance - Are We Ready for Medication Free Transplants
Sanjeev Akkina, MD
Glenna Frey, MSN, APRN-CNS
10:45-11:15am - Break
11:15- 12:15pm - Medical Malpractice: The Rules Have Changed
Kristen Larson, MSN, AGNP-BC, CNN
AGENDA:
1:00-2:00pm - Breakout Session 1
Nurses/Technicians: What's New In Medication Treatment for CKD
Beatrice Drambarean, PharmD, BCPS,BCACP
Social Workers: Unfiltered Conversations: Addressing Health Disparities in CKD for Better Patient Outcomes
Akilah King, MSW, LCSW
Dietitians: IgA Nephropathy Nutrition; Beyond Salt Restriction
Lauren Levy, MS, RDN, CSR
2:00-2:15pm - Break
2:15-3:15pm - Breakout Session 2
Nurses/Technicians: The Importance of genetic Testing in the Assessment of Kidney Disease
Suneel Udani, MD
Social Workers: The Psychosocial Evaluation of Living Donor Candidates: A Clinical Social Work Perspective
Martin Finnegan, LCSW
Dietitians: Advanced Nutritional Strategies for Managing Polycystic Kidney Disease: Insights for Renal Dietitians
Brook Nichols, MS, RDN
program sponsors
you make the difference
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is able to offer professional development programming, conduct educational seminars, and support research with the help of our passionate supporters, and a remarkable team of dedicated sponsors. To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities for this program, please contact Wesley Bauer at wbauer@nkfi.org.