Robert W. Whitlock Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Petingola MSW, RSW has had a strong presence with the National Kidney Foundation - Council of Nephrology Social Workers since 2000 having co-planned the Professional Councils Conference in Toronto. Gary is a SCM07 Winner of Outstanding Scientific Poster and is the recipient of the CNSW International Nephrology Social Work Award (2009). As a nephrology social worker Gary pioneered mindfulness practices to assist patients, family members and staff, to reduce suffering and enhance QOL. Gary served as an active member of the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition. In 2011, Gary recorded The Meandering Journey - A Patient Education Instructional Series of relaxation and mindfulness practices. Gary has contributed to the CNSW Advocacy Series for enhanced nephrology clinical practice. Gary created and has written the CNSW Midweek Meditation weekly blog since 2011 for nephrology social workers’ personal and professional wellbeing. Gary is invited to speak internationally and has published on the topic of mindfulness in the Journal of Nephrology Social Work, RenaLink and DPC Kidney Citizen.  As a regular presenter at the Spring Clinical Meetings Gary recently participated in a NKF Live Facebook event on the topic of Vaccines, Pandemic Fatigue, and Mindfulness. Gary’s book - The Response: Practising Mindfulness In Your Daily Life (2020) was inspired by his work in nephrology. Gary is qualified to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the Center for Mindfulness, UMASS and Certified through the Mindfulness Center, Brown University School of Public Health. Gary has co-founded Mindfulness on the Rocks - Meditation Solutions for Maximum Life Impact.