April 3, 2026, New York, New York – The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has awarded Katalin Susztak, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania and Founding Director of the Penn–CHOP Kidney Innovation Center, with the David M. Hume Memorial Award. The distinguished honor will be presented at the NKF 2026 Spring Clinical Meetings in New Orleans, May 6 - 10.
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, work that is vital to the 35 million adults and the many children in the U.S. who are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the 1 in 3 people who are at risk.
The David M. Hume Award was created in memory of one of NKF’s most distinguished members. The Hume Award is the highest honor given to a distinguished scientist-clinician in the field of kidney and urologic diseases. It is bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the high ideals of scholarship and humanitarianism in an outstanding manner.
“Winning this award is a deeply personal honor. It feels like a message that the work matters, that the science is helping people,” said Dr. Susztak. “It also belongs to the many people who walked this path with me: the fellows in the lab, the nurses at the bedside, and most of all, the patients who allowed us to learn from their stories.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Susztak has revolutionized kidney disease research by uncovering its genetic roots and pioneering precision therapies that are transforming patient care. Her research has transformed nephrology by revealing genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive kidney disease and by translating those discoveries into precision therapeutics.
“Dr. Susztak’s extraordinary contributions to kidney research and her deep commitment to patient-centered care reflect the very heart of the National Kidney Foundation’s mission,” said Dr. Kirk Campbell, President of the National Kidney Foundation. “Her work is not only advancing the field, but also inspiring hope and progress for patients and providers alike.”
Dr Susztak has made transformative contributions to deciphering the genetic basis of kidney disease, by leading the largest genome‐wide association study of renal function, and by constructing the first kidney‐specific functional atlas integrating a wide variety of genetic data from healthy and diseased human and rodent kidney samples.
She also established the causal role of APOL1 gene variants—found exclusively in individuals of African ancestry—in chronic kidney disease and its complications. She engineered the first inducible APOL1 transgenic mouse models and elucidated downstream inflammatory pathways crucial in disease development, catalyzing the first clinical trials of APOL1 inhibitors.
A member of NKF since 2000 and the grant review panel since 2008, Dr. Susztak’s contributions to the organization have made a direct impact on patients with CKD and their families.
“NKF is the heart of the kidney community,” said Susztak. “It brings everyone together—patients living with kidney disease, doctors caring for them, scientists trying to understand it, and the people in power who can change policy and funding.”
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
Jade.riveramcfarlin@kidney.org
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