Pittsburgh’s Dr. Beth Piraino to Receive National Kidney Foundation's J. Michael Lazarus Award

 

 

New York, NY, Dec. 4, 2018 - Each year the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) considers the work of hundreds of specialists in the field of nephrology and selects among them those who most exemplify the relentless efforts of the NKF to enhance the lives of patients through action, education and accelerating change.

 

Their work is vital to the 30 million people who are affected by kidney disease and the 1 in 3 American adults who are at risk.

 

Among the prestigious awards presented each year is the J. Michael Lazarus Award, which was established to honor Dr. J. Michael Lazarus for his major contributions to the clinical science and care of dialysis patients, and to recognize individuals whose research has yielded novel insights related to renal replacement therapy. 

 

This year, Beth Piraino, MD, Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has been selected as the recipient of this honor and will receive the award at the NKF 2019 Spring Clinical Meetings in Boston, MA, May 8-12.

 

“I am very honored to receive this award named for an innovative physician who improved the care for those with advanced kidney disease on hemodialysis,” Dr. Piraino said. “I hope in some small way I along with my colleagues have advanced the care of those on peritoneal dialysis, improving the lives of patients and allowing for patient choice."

 

Dr. Piraino is a pioneer in peritoneal dialysis (PD) clinical research, with particular focus on prevention of PD-related infections and improving outcomes for patients treated with home dialysis. She was the lead author of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) PD-Related Infectious Recommendations 2005 update, and a contributor to the 2010 update. Her leadership roles included service as a member of the ISPD Board of Directors, Secretary of the ISPD and Director of the Peritoneal Dialysis Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

 

 “Dr. Piraino has been improving the lives of kidney patients for many years and we are so happy to be able to recognize her important work,” said NKF President Dr. Holly Kramer. “Her life-long work with patients makes her an obvious choice for this award.”

 

In her research and clinical care, she has been fortunate to work with many gifted colleagues including Judith Bernardini, BSN, Carol Dacko, RN, Marge Miller, RN, Mary Hrinya, BSN, RN, MS, Jean Holley, MD and Filitsa Bender, MD. 

 

Dr. Piraino has been involved with the National Kidney Foundation for many years as a local board member, speaker and Program Committee Chair at the Spring Clinical Meetings, Co-Chair of the KDOQI Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines, and a prior President of the NKF.

 

For the past 27 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to NKF’s Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings are designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary healthcare teams’ skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team.  This year’s Spring Clinical Meetings will be held May 8-12 in Boston, MA.

 

Healthcare professionals can join NKF to receive access to tools and resources both patients and professionals, discounts on professional education, and access to a network of thousands of individuals who treat patients with kidney disease. 

 

In the United States 30 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it.  1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease.  Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history.  People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease.  African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end stage renal disease (kidney failure).

 

 

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