Detroit’s Dr. Jerry Yee Honored for Clinical Excellence by National Kidney Foundation

January 30, 2019, New York, NY – 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 NKF to enhance the lives of patients through action, education and accelerating change.

 

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

 

Among the prestigious awards that will be presented at the NKF 2019 Spring Clinical Meetings in Boston, MA, May 8-12, will be the Donald W. Seldin Award to Dr. Jerry Yee, MD, the Division Head of Nephrology and Hypertension of the Henry Ford Hospital and Chief Medical Officer of the Greenfield Health Systems, a part of the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI.

 

The Seldin award was established to recognize excellence in clinical nephrology in the tradition of one of the foremost teachers and researchers in the field.

“It is an honor to bestow this award on such an accomplished mentor and educator as Dr. Yee,” said NKF President Dr. Holly Kramer. “Dr. Yee is following in the tradition of award winners before him and is an important figure in training the next generation of nephrology professionals.”

 

 “I am greatly honored to receive the Donald W. Seldin award,” Dr. Yee said. “His vision and excellence in medicine and nephrology were unparalleled. The award is special because it represents equally those entities that inspire exemplary care of kidney patients: teaching, to entrust one’s knowledge to future generations of nephrology healthcare providers and research, the genesis of that knowledge.  Simply, it’s not one or the other that drives excellence; it’s both. Dr. Seldin knew that.”

 

Dr. Yee has been winning awards throughout his career. Most recently, he was the recipient of the Kidney Crusader Award by the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan for his philanthropy and donation of his time and expertise in the foundation’s efforts to be a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease.

 

Dr. Yee is also a Clinical Professor of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit. Over nearly three decades, he has participated in scholarly activity as a basic scientist and clinical researcher as well as an educator. Dr. Yee has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, chapters, and book chapters. Dr. Yee has held multiple leadership positions, regionally, nationally and internationally. He has lectured nationally and internationally in the fields of chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, and acid-base/electrolyte disturbances, the original reason he entered nephrology.

 

He is the Section Editor of the Nephrology and Urology section of Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, 2019; Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease; and Co-Director, Nephrology Self-Assessment Program.

 

Dr. Yee maintains an active clinical practice, consulting on patients in the intensive care units of Henry Ford Hospital, caring for outpatients with chronic kidney disease and genetic disorders, and managing 1,000 end-stage renal disease patients as the Chief Medical Officer of Greenfield Health Systems.

 

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 for 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).