Regional Social Work Award

Jessica Zeman is a Dialysis and Nephrology Social Worker at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire Wisconsin with over 17 years of experience. Currently she is working with members of her interdisciplinary team to initiate and develop education for patients in the nephrology clinic prior to their need for kidney replacement treatment. Due to the way the dialysis clinics and nephrology clinic are integrated, the interdisciplinary team can identify patients who can benefit from early education to help slow the progression of kidney disease. Jessica was the chairperson for the Wisconsin CNSW chapter from 2013-2017, on the Program Committee for the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings 2011 & 2014 & 2018 and Planning Committee for NKF-Wisconsin Health Care Symposium 2012 to 2017 and 2019 to the present.

Jessica currently is the NKF National Social Work certification chairperson and encourages everyone to check into this certification option. Within her organization she has been a member of the Mayo Clinic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee since 2019 and has co-presented on EDI initiatives.  Jessica completed a significant research project regarding quality of life and the Hmong dialysis patient population in rural Wisconsin and has been published in the Journal of Nephrology Social Work. She is passionate about her work as a Dialysis and Nephrology Social Worker. Jessica lives in Eau Claire Wisconsin with her husband and 16 year old son and enjoys camping and taking vacations to warmer destinations in the winter.