In this episode, our host Lillian Pryor interviews Nancy Colobong Smith, President of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), and Deborah Crews, President of the American Society of Nephrologists (ASN), about a groundbreaking new agreement. This historic pact is the first formal agreement of support between nephrologists and nephrology nurses, aimed at fostering collaboration and enhancing patient care. Tune in to learn how this agreement will impact the nephrology field, improve patient outcomes, and create new opportunities for professional development. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of nephrology care and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation.

Nancy Colobong Smith, MN, ARNP, CNN, has over 28 years of experience as a nephrology nurse in multiple roles from direct care to leadership.  She earned her Master's in Nursing from the University of Washington with a dual focus as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Specialist.  Currently, Nancy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for inpatient nephrology, dialysis & transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center. Nancy was the lead RN in the first FDA trial in the United States of the Wearable Artificial Kidney.  She is an active member of the University of Washington Medical Center Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, an EDI Peer Trainer, and a member of the University of Washington Medicine Bias Incident Report Committee.  Nancy serves on regional and national boards including, ESRD Network 16 Medical Review Board, ESRD Network 16 Board of Directors, American Nephrology Nurses Association Board of Directors, and Nephrology Nursing Journal Editorial Board.  Nancy is honored to be ANNA’s National President for 2024-2025.   

Deidra C. Crews, MD, ScM, FASN, MACP, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She holds appointments with the Schools of Public Health and Nursing, the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, the Center on Aging and Health, and the Center for Health Equity, where she is Deputy Director. Her work has elucidated root causes of the disproportionate burden of kidney disease among socially marginalized populations; addressed social and behavioral risk factors for adverse kidney outcomes through interventions; and informed guidelines for optimizing care processes for people with kidney failure. An elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians and the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Crews has received numerous awards for her research contributions, including the 2018 Johns Hopkins University President’s Frontier Award—a $250,000 award given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates significant academic achievement and the potential for transformative future work. Dr. Crews received the W. Lester Henry Award for Diversity and Access to Care from the American College of Physicians and is a Master of the American College of Physicians. The American Society of Nephrology has honored Dr. Crews with its Distinguished Leader Award, and she currently serves as ASN President. Dr. Crews received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and her medical degree from Saint Louis University. A graduate of the Osler Medical Training Program, she completed nephrology fellowship and a master’s in clinical epidemiology degree at Johns Hopkins.

Lillian Pryor, DNP, RN, CNN, is Dialysis Program Manager at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henry. A member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association since 1990, Dr. Pryor has served in roles that include president-elect, ANNA director, ANNA Awards and Scholarships Committee chairperson, ANNA representative to the Kidney Health Initiative Patient Preference Task Force, and an author and peer reviewer for the Nephrology Nursing Journal. Dr. Pryor served as the 2020-2021 President of the American Nephrology Nurses Association. In addition, she is an active member of ANNA’s Dogwood Chapter in Georgia and has served the chapter as both its president and health policy representative.

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Podcast production management by Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., for the American Nephrology Nurses Association.

Music by Scott Holmes.
http://www.scottholmesmusic.com