Who We Are
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc., a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
Our Goals
- Supporting Research and Research Training
- Continuing Education of Health Care Professionals
- Expanding Patient Services and Community Resources
- Educating the Public
- Shaping Health Policy
- Fund Raising
The NKF Serving the Alleghenies was founded in 1978 by a group of concerned people who wanted to increase awareness of kidney and urinary tract diseases and work toward finding a cure.
Today, we are one of 50 affiliates of the National Kidney Foundation – a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, national voluntary health organization. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of patients and their families, business leaders, community activists, physicians, nurses, and others who are committed to working towards our common mission, which is to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
The territory of the NKF Serving the Alleghenies includes 33 counties in western Pennsylvania from Erie to the southern state line and east to DuBois. We also serve 14 counties in northern West Virginia. Over 100 dialysis clinics and nearly 6,000 patients depend on us each year for information, services, and support. Additionally, the NKF Serving the Alleghenies is a leader in promoting organ donation awareness through health fairs, seminars, school programs, and special events.
All programs and services offered by the NKF Serving the Alleghenies are made possible through the generous support of individuals, companies, and foundations who are interested in…Taking Kidney and Urinary Diseases From Treatment to Cure!
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Pennsylvania Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Bedford Blair Butler Cambria Cameron Centre Clarion Clearfield Clinton Crawford Elk Erie Fayette Forest Greene Huntington Indiana Jefferson Juniata Lawrence McKean Mifflin Mercer Perry Potter Somerset Venango Warren Washington Westmoreland |
West Virginia Barbour Brook Hancock Harrison Lewis Marion Marshall Monongalia Ohio Preston Taylor Upshur Wetzel |
Over 100 dialysis clinics and nearly 6,000 patients depend on us each year for information, services, and support. |
Board of Directors
Joyce L. Biearman
Chairman
Beth Marie Piraino, MD
Vice Chairman
Michele Allerton
Treasurer
Jonathan D. Bonime, Esq.
Secretary
Kenneth J. Fink
Immediate Past Chairman
Jack R. Norris
Chairman, Emeritus
Thomas Chakurda
Pamela G. Cochenour, Esq.
Peter M. DeComo
Robert Doebler, MD
Pawan K. Gupta, MD
Rekha D. Halligan, MD, PhD
P. Brennan Hart, Esq.
John V. Heher
Alan L. Komm
Derrick Latos, MD
Joseph Lee
Rita Lynn McGill, MD
Philip G. Petraglia, CPA
Rebecca J. Schmidt, DO, FACP, FASN
Ron Shapiro, MD
James Sweeney
Henkie P. Tan, MD, PhD, FACS
Shelley Zomak, RN, MS, CCTC
Medical Advisory Committee
Ron Shapiro, MD
Chairman
Molly Ann Breckenridge, RN, CCTC
Bonnie Carnes, RN
Barbara Carpenter, MD
Mary Choi, MD
Linda Dindak, LSW, ACSW
George J. Frem, MD, FACP, FASN
Alejandro Gonzalez, MD
Rekha D. Halligan, MD, PhD
Kevin Ho, MD
Thomas R. Kleyman, MD
Derrick Latos, MD
David Levenson, MD
Ramon Lozano, MD
Rita L. McGill, MD
Paul Palevsky, MD
Beth Marie Piraino, MD
Rebecca J. Schmidt, DO, FACP, FASN
Henkie P. Tan, MD, PhD, FACS
Rajni Wallia, MD
Allen Wolfert, MD
Shelley Zomak, RN, MS, CCTC
Our Founder
On November 15, 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Harry DeBold called the first meeting of the Committee for Nephrosis Research. Several months earlier, Mrs. DeBold’s infant son was stricken with nephrosis, a condition of which little was known and for which little could be done. Her determination not to succumb to the grim reality of her son’s disease and her affluence and wealth were important elements which led to the formation of the inaugural lay group destined to becomeThe National Kidney Foundation. The Ada DeBold Society was created to help ensure the philanthropic future of the NKF in honor of Mrs. Ada U. DeBold.
By sharing their financial resources and publicly expressing their support, members of The Ada DeBold Society address NKF’s mission to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. This framework of support helps the NKF plan for the present and look to the future. More information about The Ada DeBold Society.
