April 8, 2026, New York, New York — Next month, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will honor Tina Alexander, RN, Home Hemodialysis Nurse, with the prestigious Carol Mattix Award. The award is presented annually at the NKF Spring Clinical Meetings.
Each year 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.
Among these awards is the Carol Mattix Award. This award was established in honor of Carol Mattix, a home dialysis training nurse of the last century who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of kidney patients.
“I'm very honored to be the award winner,” said Alexander. “It came as a shock because I feel that I treat every patient every day with the same passion and caring. I enjoy teaching patient and partners on home therapy to be able to enjoy life at home.”
With 42 years of nursing experience, Tina Alexander has dedicated her career to caring for others across multiple fields, including 11 years in dialysis and 5 years in Home Hemodialysis (HHD). Her passion for nursing began at a young age, when she often stepped into a caregiving role for friends and family members.
“Nurses are the backbone of kidney care—delivering not only life-sustaining treatment, but also compassion, education, and unwavering support, said Dr. Kirk Campbell, President of the National Kidney Foundation. “Tina’s compassion, leadership, and commitment to kidney health have had a profound and lasting impact on the community and brought hope to countless patients and families.”
Tina believes that being a great nurse isn’t defined by credentials alone, but by the compassion and empathy shown to others. She finds fulfillment in teaching patients the skills they need to live fully—whether by helping them understand their treatment options or empowering them to take charge of their health.
“Throughout my career, I've found joy in teaching patients the skills they need to live life to the fullest,” said Alexander. “Whether it's helping them understand their treatment options or empowering them to take control of their health, I've seen firsthand the impact that compassionate care can have on a person's life.”
NKF Spring Clinical Meetings
For more than 30 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to the NKF 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 and interprofessional 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 in New Orleans, LA, May 6 – 10, 2026.
Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 35 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
NKF Professional Membership
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.
Visit https://www.kidney.org/membership to learn more and join our community today. You belong here.
Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence
For 75 years, The National Kidney Foundation has been a leader in advancing kidney health, working to ensure that every person has access to high-quality, patient-centered care—from prevention and diagnosis to transplantation.
As we celebrate this milestone, NKF has launched its 75th Anniversary campaign - a bold initiative aimed at transforming kidney health and patient care by 2030. Our goal is to impact 75 million lives by raising funds to help fulfill the NKF mission, drive innovation, empower patients, and advocate for systemic change in kidney health. To make a difference in the fight against kidney disease, visit DONATE TODAY!
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/ .
Media Contact:
Jade Rivera-McFarlin
413-537-1155
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