ASN Society News - January 28, 2025
A Message From ASN President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for being a member of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN).
As I begin my term as ASN President, I want to communicate directly with you about two related issues. First, I'm deeply honored to serve as the society's president, and I promise to dedicate myself to advocate on behalf of the more than 850 million people worldwide living with kidney diseases, including more than 37 million Americans.
Second, the success of this advocacy depends on our ability to work together within ASN as well as in partnership with other members of the kidney community and across "the House of Medicine," including such organizations as the American Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Council of Medical Specialty Societies. ASN has never been stronger, and the kidney community has never been more united. ASN is better positioned than ever to ensure that the needs of kidney patients, nephrologists, scientists, and other health professionals are prioritized.
As with every change in federal leadership, the kidney community faces both opportunities and challenges. Throughout US history, elections produce actual, proposed, anticipated, and unanticipated policy shifts. While the current administration's policies are still unfolding, ASN remains steadfast in advocating for kidney care, research, and education.
Over the past 20 years, ASN has built a formidable infrastructure to address federal legislative and regulatory issues. ASN is actively engaged with the larger kidney community, the broader House of Medicine, and policymakers in the legislative and executive branches during this important transition.
In addition to many ASN members with tremendous expertise in public policy and the society's many influential relationships, ASN is highly seasoned in influencing federal policy related to kidney health and diseases. This arsenal also includes Suzanne Watnick, MD, FASN, who has agreed to serve a second year as ASN Health Policy Scholar in Residence.
During the current government transition, ASN remains focused on finding productive ways to do what is in the best interests of the more than 37 million Americans living with kidney diseases. With this patient-directed focus, ASN will best serve you—our members—as well as everyone else committed to improving kidney care, research, and education.
Again, thank you. If you have any questions about current federal policy or how ASN can support you, please contact ASN at policy@asn-online.org.
Sincerely,
Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN
President