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 Dear
Colleagues,In this spring season of rebirth and renewal, it is my sad task to note the unexpected and premature death of one of the true giants of modern nephrology, Steven C. Hebert, MD. Dr. Hebert’s illustrious career and accomplishments as a scientist and academic leader are summarized at the Yale University website. Among many other honors, Dr. Hebert was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and was a recipient of the Homer W. Smith Award of the American Society of Nephrology. On a personal level, Dr. Hebert was a colleague, friend, mentor, and role model whose intelligence, integrity, optimism, and drive inspired the best in others. Trained as a clinical nephrologist, he was truly a noble and happy warrior in the effort to fight disease and improve the human condition through the process of scientific discovery. Indeed, his scientific discoveries led to important practical applications ranging from calcimimetic drugs to novel methods of aquaculture. As eloquently stated by Nobel Laureate and fellow physician-scientist Peter Agre, MD: “Steve exhibited the very best character of a physician-scientist. His influence extended far beyond his own laboratory and caused many scientists, like myself, to reach higher. He had the rare and charming capacity to take his work seriously without taking himself seriously—something we all should learn.” We extend our profound heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Hebert’s wife Patricia, their son Steven, Jr., and their extended family. Reminded of the fragile nature of our existence, let us renew our own dedication to the highest ideals of our profession as exemplified by the life of Dr. Steven C. Hebert. Sincerely,  Peter S. Aronson, MD, FASN ASN President |
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ASN Expands Policy
Efforts ASN formed a
Public Policy Board in 2006 and consequently increased its activities
in the policy arena. Two years later, ASN policy efforts are
expanding once again. To comprehensively address the needs of its
members, ASN has formed a policy team at the staff level that will
focus on helping the Society’s members care for patients, conduct
medical research, and educate the next generation of nephrologists.To help its members provide high-quality patient care, ASN will focus on the Medicare and Medicaid programs, public health issues, concerns about health disparities, and the “quality movement.” The research section of the policy team will address research policy issues affecting the ASN membership, such as those related to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, other research entities, and clinical trials. The education portfolio will include policy issues related to nephrology fellowship programs, particularly the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine, the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Internal Medicine, and public support for medical education. As part of the restructuring, the ASN policy team will also assume responsibility for administering the Society’s Basic and Clinical Science Committees, Training Program Directors (TPDs) Executive Committee, and eight advisory groups. In addition, the ASN Public Policy Board and staff will rely on the expertise of these committees and advisory groups to help ASN respond to various policy issues as they arise. ASN Meets with Congressional Staff, Testifies Before the Senate on VA Research As a member of the executive committee of the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA), ASN has heavily advocated for increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Prosthetic Research program in fiscal year (FY) 2009. In a series of meetings with congressional staff for members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, VA, FOVA has recommended Congress provide $555 million for research in diseases and conditions prevalent among the veteran population, including kidney disease. President George W. Bush has requested $442 million for the program in fiscal year 2009, an 8% decrease from fiscal year 2008. As part of its advocacy efforts, FOVA also testified before the Senate VA Committee, Wednesday, April 9, 2008. At a hearing to address “Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers,” Jennifer L. Strauss, PhD, Health Scientist at the Durham VA and FOVA representative, discussed the recruitment and retention benefits of a robust VA research program. In addition, Dr. Strauss addressed areas where VA needs to improve—including renovating research facilities—to ensure VA remains an enviable work environment for clinical investigators. According to Dr. Strauss, “Space is at such a premium at our facility that some of our researchers may soon be moving off-site. A geographic divide between research labs and clinics will do little to enhance the type of collaborations that I believe are essential to move VA research forward.” |
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ASN Abstract
Archives Now Available Each year, the Journal of the American Society of
Nephrology (JASN) publishes an abstract book that includes
nearly 5,000 submitted abstracts. Many of these abstracts are presented
in the poster hall and during the free communications sessions at Renal
Week. Due to popular demand by members, ASN now offers instant access
to an “abstract book archives” through its website.Many institutions subscribe to JASN but do not receive the abstract issue. ASN members request abstract information in order to update their curriculum vitae or check sources related to their research because they no longer have the abstract issue from previous years. Obviously, this lack of access limits the ability to acquire old abstracts. To solve this problem, ASN now offers a searchable archive of Renal Week abstracts from 2003 to 2006. ASN will update this archive on an annual basis. As an ASN member, you can access the archive through the “Publications” tab on the ASN homepage, or you can click here for direct access. To access the abstracts from Renal Week 2007, please click here. As a reminder, the deadline for ASN members to submit abstracts for Renal Week 2008 is Thursday, June 5, 2008, 11:59 p.m. EDT. ASN encourages you to submit your abstract today through the ASN Abstract Submission Site. |
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JASN Device
Reduces Risk of Death from Acute Kidney FailureFor patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), an external device containing human kidney cells promotes recovery of the injured kidneys and significantly reduces the risk of death. TOC; Full Study CJASN  Uric Acid May Provide Early Clues
to Diabetic Kidney DiseaseFor patients with type 1 diabetes, increased levels of uric acid in the blood may be an early sign of diabetic kidney disease—appearing before any significant change in urine albumin level, the standard screening test. May TOC; Full Study New Lab Test Predicts Risk of
Kidney Injury After SurgeryA simple laboratory test may provide a new way for doctors to identify patients at risk of developing potentially severe acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery—up to three days before the problem would otherwise be detected. May TOC; Full Study NephSAP  Glomerular, Vascular, and
Tubulointerstitial DiseasesThe May issue of NephSAP focuses on Glomerular, Vascular, and Tubulointerstitial Diseases. This issue includes an editorial by Daniel C. Cattran, MD, and commentary by Claudio Ponticelli, MD. The syllabus is created by Patrick Nachman, MD, and Richard J. Glassock, MD. May TOC; May Editorial |
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| ASN Reminders
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