2026 Patient Symposium

Two people at the Patient Symposium visiting a presentation table

About 2026 Patient Symposium

VIRTUAL Tuesday, April 21 – Thursday, April 23, 3 virtual sessions over Zoom Webinar each day

  • April 21: 12pm - 1pm EST

  • April 22: 9am - 10am EST

  • April 23: 6pm - 7pm EST

IN-PERSON April 25, 2026 12:30pm-5:00pm 

Corporate College East 4400 Richmond Rd, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

Patient Symposium is NKF’s annual patient program designed to engage, empower, and educate patients and caregivers about kidney disease. This is done through a hybrid (both virtual and in-person) format covering medical advances, financials, nutrition essentials, wellness care, and mental health associated with kidney disease.

Time & Location

April 21 - April 23

Virtual Dates: 
  • April 21: 12pm - 1pm EST
  • April 22: 9am - 10am EST
  • April 23: 6pm - 7pm EST

 

April 25

April 25: 12:30pm - 5:00pm

Saturday, April 25 in-person session at Corporate College East

Kidney Resource Guide

The Kidney Resource Guide is a FREE book that all participants of the 2026 Patient Symposium will receive that day/week.  The articles explore a variety of topics related to the patient and caregiver experience, kidney transplant/living donation, insurance or financial information, modalities, medication adherence, pre-dialysis, diabetes, hypertension, diet/exercise, and more!  Articles are written by kidney health medical professionals and always have “next steps” associated with the information given for the reader.

Topics and Sessions

Virtual Breakout Agenda

April 21-23, 2026

Tuesday, April 21 12pm-1pm EST:

  • Learn About Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1

  • Speaker: Kim Bischel, RN, BSN

  • Zoom Webinar Link will be provided after registration

Wednesday, April 22, 9am-10am EST:

  • Topic: Getting Rezdy to Start on Dialysis: How to Prepare and What to Expect

  • Speaker: Mildred Lam, MD

  • Zoom Webinar Link will be provided after registration 

Thursday, April 23, 6pm-7pm EST:

  • Topic: I Have CKD… Now What?

  • Speaker: Samir Parikh, MD, FASN

  • Zoom Webinar Link will be provided after registration

In-Person Breakout Session Agenda

APRIL 25: 12:30pm-5:00pm

  • 12:30pm-1:00pm: Visit sponsor/vendor tables, grab giveaways and grab FREE lunch!
  • 1:00pm: Welcome by Dr. Rupesh Raina, Patient Symposium Event Chairman
  • 1:10pm-2:00pm: (First All-Group Session) } | Topic: Eating Well With CKD, Without Losing Joy | Presenters: Joe Bellian, RN and Merideth Miller, RD
  • 2:00pm-2:10pm: BREAK
  • 2:10pm-3:00pm: Breakout Topics (Participants Select 1 of 3 Options)
  • Kidney Transplant Connectors—Led by Alana (Kidney Recipient) and Reggie (Living Donor)
  • Young adults living with CKD—Led by Christina Nguyen, MD
  • Understanding Treatment Options Before You Need Them—Led by Aparna Padiyar, MD
  • 3:00pm-3:10pm: BREAK
  • 3:10pm-4:00pm: (Second All-Group Session) | Topic: Mental Health and Chronic Kidney Disease | Presenters: Sherrell Turner MEd, MSW, LSW,  Andrew Linder M.A.Ed, LPCC-S and Emily Linder, M.Ed., LPCC-S 
  • 4:00pm-4:10pm: BREAK | 
  • 4:10-5:00pm: (Third All-Group Session) | Topic: GLP1 and Kidney Disease | Presenter: Himabindu Yerneni, MD

Patient Symposium Committee Members

  • Kristin Bame
  • Peter Brinson
  • Barb Harshey
  • Dr. Arksarapuk Jittirat
  • Dr. Sarah Lang
  • Andrew and Emily Linder
  • Merideth Miller
  • Dr. Christina Nguyen
  • Elizabeth Oldham
  • Dr. Aparna Padiyar
  • Dr. Laura Provenzano
  • Dr. Rupesh Raina, Event Chairman
  • Marquita Rockamore
  • Anderson Rush
  • Sherrell Turner

Interested in learning more?

For more information about this event contact Leah Adams / 440.465.0245

Platinum Sponsor

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Logo

Gold Sponsor

Sanofi Logo

Silver Sponsor

Otsuka Logo

Bronze Sponsors

Akebia Therapeutics
ardelyx logo
Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio logo
CareDx Logo
Cleveland Clinic Logo
Natera Logo
Novartis logo
Saber Healthcare Group logo
Takeda Logo
Zing Health Logo