NKF/CRN Message From Chairperson Welcome Summer

Abstract

Welcome summer! As I enjoy the summer fun, I want to assure you that I am continuing my focus on communication from the NKF/CRN Executive Committee to all regional and local council members. I am also working on more communication options to reach CRN members that do not have a local council in their area. If you are a CRN member who this applies to please contact me with what communication modalities would be best for you. In 2015, we began working on some large projects: the KDOQI Evidence Analysis Project and the National Renal Diet revision. Both of these joint NKF/AND endeavors are ongoing in 2016, hope to have specific updates to pass along to you toward the end of the year. I am excited that I have received e-mails from members interested in working on the low-cost meal plan project. The member volunteers should be underway by the time of this publication, and I look forward to sharing the results with all CRN membership. Some other topics that you may be interested include the following: emergency meals with emphasis on food safety, low literacy educational material, and cooking for one or two. If these topics sound appealing to you and you would like to participate on a committee please contact me or your regional CRN Executive Committee representative. A listing of regions can be found on the NKF Web site professional/dietitian. We are working with the NKF to provide a research grant to a dietitian. Funding is dedicated to a renal dietitian whose research is directed to evaluating the care of the chronic kidney disease patient with the associated comorbidities of iron-deficiency anemia or chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder. The NKF/CRN Executive Committee Region Representatives positions for regions II and IV are currently open and accepting nominations through September 15, 2016. These are the states for each of the open regional representative positions. Below is a description of the Region Representative. If you have an interest or would like to nominate someone please act now. Region II includes: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Puerto Rico. Region IV includes: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Mexico, Central America, South America. Position Description•Represents NKF/CRN in respective regions as a liaison with NKF and local CRN councils and membership regarding opportunities and concerns.•Provides communication between the national and local NKF/CRN members to include: Executive Committee projects for professional and patient education, opportunities for project involvement, policy changes, and Advocacy Alerts. Communicate with local NKF/CRN councils at least quarterly.•Attends the Executive Committee conference at the NKF Spring Clinical Meeting and conference calls throughout the term year.•Chairs and/or participates in activities of the Executive Committee including: NKF Web site communications, publications, membership, professional promotion, professional recognition awards, patient education, research and/or professional resources.•Maintains effective communication with Executive Committee members especially with your Alternate Region Representative. Nominations for CRN Awards have been in progress for past several months. Please check the NKF Web site professional/dietitian/awards for deadlines to nominate a colleague for outstanding work as a nephrology dietitian. As always, feel free to contact me with any question or comment. Have a healthy, safe, and fun summer. I look forward to more updates to pass along in the fall.