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Former surgeon general to chair NKF's chronic kidney disease prevention initiative

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Former Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, will chair the National Kidney Foundation’s CKDInsight summit. Benjamin was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 18^th United States Surgeon General in July, 2009 and served a four-year term.

The summit is slated for fall of 2016, and it’s a component of NKF’s new CKDIntercept program, a multi-year initiative that aims to elevate chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis and management to the front lines of preventative health in the U.S. health system.

In addition to Dr. Benjamin, the list of invited stakeholders includes, but is not limited to, medical professional groups, large health care systems, laboratory services, advocacy groups, technology industry experts, and government and retail insurers. They will meet to develop innovative approaches to overcoming the obstacles that inhibit timely diagnosis of kidney disease. The goal of the meeting is to generate a clear, cohesive strategy that will create a roadmap for change that will elevate the national perception of kidney disease and create a culture where early detection is a priority.

“CKDIntercept is an initiative to improve early diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease,” said Dr. Benjamin. "Prevention was the foundation of my work as Surgeon General and continues to be. I am honored to support the National Kidney Foundation’s efforts to prevent chronic kidney disease.”

As Chair of the summit, Dr. Benjamin will help develop and comment on the overall concepts, goals, and participant lists of executive-level workgroups.

“CKDIntercept is NKF's most ambitious project to date, one that promises to redefine healthcare and kidney disease management for decades to come," said Joseph Vassalotti, MD, Chief Medical Officer of NKF. "We are excited with the work that this group of healthcare, business and community leaders will champion."

Benjamin is the Founder and CEO of BayouClinic, Inc., as well as the NOLA.com/Times Picayune Endowed Chair of Public Health Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana. She specializes in prevention policies and health promotion among individuals as well as large populations, especially concerning obesity, childhood obesity, and children’s health.