CCPD developer Diaz-Buxo retires from FMCNA

Jose A. Diaz-Buxo, MD, a key advocate of peritoneal dialysis who had a hand in finetuning the technology for continuous cycling PD in its early days, is stepping down as chief medical officer of Fresenius Medical Care North America’s Renal Therapies Group, effective May 31. Robert Kossmann, MD, a nephrologist from Sante Fe, New Mexico, will replace Diaz-Buxo as CMO and senior vice president.

Diaz-Buxo joined FMCNA in 1996 as president of the company’s peritoneal dialysis services and was made CMO of the Renal Therapies Group in 2004. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed publications on dialysis. Kossmann, known for his trademark cowboy hat at nephrology conferences, is stepping down as president of the Renal Physicians Association––his term would have ended in March 2015––to take the FMC post because of the association’s conflict of interest policy.

"When I accepted the job with Fresenius I knew that I would need to give up two things I value and love," Kossmann wrote in a memo to RPA members. "One is taking care of patients and building long term relationships with them and their families. The second is that I will not be able to complete my full term as RPA president. This association has strengthened my management and leadership skills, has enabled me to meet many of you, and has allowed me the opportunity to work on solving some of the many problems facing practicing nephrologists in their efforts to serve patients with kidney diseases. Professionally, my new position will allow me to make a difference in the lives of many more patients at a national level than was possible in my Santa Fe practice."