News & Events
Discover new information and educational offerings that we provide. Explore our newsletters, blogs and upcoming webinars/conference calls.
Contents:
DPC and the DPC Education Center Mourn the Passing of Diane Brisbane
It is with a heavy heart that Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) and the DPC Education Center learned of the passing of former Board Member, Diane Brisbane. Diane grew up in the South Jamaica section of Queens, NY and was raised in a household and community that taught family first and service to others. This is the mindset with which she pursued life. After getting her start as a nurses’ aide, she eventually advanced to EKG technician, and later to supervisor of the EKG department, and finally retired after 37 years of service. During the course of her career, she served on various committees to improve employee relations, educate employees, and unite the hospital and community, [...]
Camarones con Sémola de Maíz
Receta enviada por Arnella Chatman para el DCI Kidney Cookbook Tiempo de preparación: 20 min Tiempo de cocción: 40 min Tiempo total: 1 hora Porciones: 4 Ingredientes: 1 taza sémola de maíz blanca molida gruesa 2 cucharadas mantequilla sin sal ½ manojo de chalotes pequeños, picados ½ taza maíz 1 cucharada aceite vegetal 1 pizca hojuelas de pimiento rojo (opcional) ½ taza pimiento rojo picado 1 taza guisantes verdes ¾ libra camarones, pelados y desvenados Instrucciones: En una olla grande, lleve 3 tazas de agua a ebullición. Agregue la sémola de maíz, reduzca a fuego bajo, cubra y cocine durante 20 minutos, revolviendo ocasionalmente. Cuando la sémola esté espesa pero cremosa, retire del fuego [...]
Why Medicare’s Payment System Keeps New Dialysis Drugs from Reaching Patients
Jackson Williams, DPC Vice President of Public Policy Payment bundling is a technique Medicare uses to increase efficiency and reduce low-value care during a treatment episode. Congress adopted a payment bundle for dialysis a decade ago and for several years it worked well. But trade-offs are inherent in bundles and there is always potential for a negative impact on consumers. This negative experience has arrived for dialysis patients in the form of non—prescribing of new drugs. Patients are missing out on improvements to their health and quality of life. A bundled payment sets a maximum price for all the items and services involved in a treatment or episode. When those items can [...]
A Faithful Kidney Patient Caregiver’s Journey
Sheree Stephens, DPC Patient Ambassador I would describe being a kidney patient caregiver to my husband as inspiring, beautiful, and life changing. Ken has fought kidney failure for years, and I’ve stood beside him every step of the way. The journey can be, at times, stressful and tiring but with strong communication and a strong relationship with God, the journey is not nearly as overwhelming. When we met in 2010, he told me upfront his kidneys were failing. I heard him, but love doesn’t calculate risks. We built a life together, knowing challenges would come. In 2016, they did. Ken started peritoneal dialysis, and our world changed. Peritoneal dialysis impacted our lives, [...]
Preventing Infections in Hemodialysis
Dr. Anil Agarwal, Nephrologist Download PDF Article Descargar artículo en PDF For patients undergoing hemodialysis, infection prevention is not just a recommendation, it’s a necessity. Hemodialysis patients have a compromised immune system and face a heightened risk of infections, which can affect their lives in a multitude of ways. Many suffer from bloodstream infections, which can lead to hospitalization and even life-threatening complications like sepsis. Catheter-related infections and skin infections near the vascular access site, also quite common, can put patients in the hospital as well. Any of these infections can delay hemodialysis patients’ upcoming kidney transplant. Luckily, with education and vigilance, patients can use strategies to avoid many of [...]
Phosphorus: A Hidden Challenge in Dialysis
Natalie Zuniga, DCP Board Vice President I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – or kidney failure – soon after a heart attack seven years ago. Like many ESRD patients upon diagnosis, I immediately thought of my mortality and what my death would mean for my family. But I knew that kidney failure wasn’t a death sentence. My husband, Eddie, had been on dialysis for five years when I was diagnosed with ESRD, so he gave me a sense of what life with kidney failure would mean. Today, we navigate dialysis treatment together, including the strict dietary restrictions and lifestyle changes it requires. One challenge I didn’t anticipate was the [...]
Patience and Strength: A Caregiver’s Journey
Christopher James, DPC Patient Ambassador Caring for a loved one with kidney failure requires confronting serious challenges, making significant sacrifices, and pushing through intense emotions. My name is Christopher James, and for years I have been a kidney patient caregiver to multiple family members, including my wife, Niesha Neal. Through my experience, I’ve learned that fulfilling the role of a kidney patient caregiver comes down to patience, perseverance, and love. My caregiving journey started with my brother, who began dialysis many years ago. With help from my background in biomedical technology, I took on the role of learning how to operate and maintain his dialysis machine. Later, my father developed kidney failure [...]
The Importance of Immunizations for People with Kidney Disease
Rebecca Schmidt, DO Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD Kristina Bryant, MD Written On Behalf of the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Community Vaccination Collaborative Introduction Living with kidney disease presents unique health challenges, including an increased susceptibility to infections. Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting people with kidney disease, including those on dialysis or with a kidney transplant, from preventable diseases. This article will discuss the importance of vaccines in general and those protecting against respiratory illness specifically, the risks associated with not being vaccinated, and concerns related to misinformation on vaccination decisions. Why Immunizations Are Crucial for People with Kidney Disease People with chronic kidney disease [...]
Ask the Doctor May 2025
Velma Scantlebury, MD, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant 1. What is the impact of phosphorus on kidney patients? For patients with kidney disease on dialysis, they are unable to remove excess phosphorus from the blood. This leads to high phosphorus levels, also known as hyperphosphatemia. Since dialysis does not remove phosphorus, it is important to limit foods high in phosphorus to avoid a build-up in various places in the body. Too much phosphorus results in the following: Bone and heart problems: Excess phosphorus causes your body to pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak and brittle. Phosphorus can also combine with calcium to result in damaging deposits in the [...]
The Kidney Citizen Issue 20
Welcome to the Innovation issue of the Kidney Citizen! The DPC Education Center is excited to share with you articles that embody innovation, provide knowledge, and help you to live your best life with kidney disease.
Recipe of the Month: Grilled Vegetables
May's recipe is a nudge to take advantage of the longer days and warmer temperatures (but can be adapted for the oven, too!): Grilled Vegetables.
What About the Children?
The pandemic was devastating. Businesses closed and some never reopened! Students were taught virtually! Many people died! Many were afraid because of lack of finances and not knowing what the future held! But what about the children who had COVID and are now experiencing chronic kidney disease and other health diseases after having COVID? The following article was retrieved from a news release from Penn Medicine (pennmedicine.org) on April 21, 2025. Penn Medicine is a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) that is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Read the full press release: Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection Children face elevated kidney, [...]
We Have Come A Long Way!
Research, technology, treatment options, outcomes, and significant results are constant in the world of kidney disease. Dialysis and kidney transplantation have not always been available to those in need. If you do not know by now, you should know that dialysis does not mean the end of your life but the end of your kidney function on its own. Treatment options, such as in-center dialysis, home dialysis and of course, transplantation are commonly used treatment options. The Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center is committed and dedicated to inform you about renal news. We do not endorse or recommend any treatment options but can only hope (confident expectation) that you are receiving and knowledgeable about the type of treatment [...]
Recipe of the Month: Shrimp & Grits
April's recipe is a quick one that works just as well for brunch as it does for dinner: Shrimp & Grits.
Are You Aware That…
The Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center is dedicated to improving kidney patients’ quality of life and reducing the occurrence of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) through education. Education is the transmission of knowledge and we take this task very seriously. Your health and welfare come first! We have multiple resources and tools to equip you in your respective journeys. Our Website (www.dpcedcenter.org) The website is filled with pertinent and useful information. There you will find: an overview of the education center, multiple resources, copies of the “Kidney Citizen” (Our international magazine that provides articles, questions and answers about renal disease, dedicated topic supplements and patient profiles), and a list of events. Kidney Chat The [...]
Recipe of the Month: Honey Garlic Chicken
March's recipe is quick and easy so you can spend less time cooking and more time outside enjoying the spring weather: Honey Garlic Chicken.
Do You Ask Questions?
Whether you were just diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), on dialysis, or transplanted, it is important to ask providers questions about whatever it is that you do not understand about your healthcare. Remember, providers treat symptoms! If you do not tell them if something does not feel “normal”, it is more difficult for the provider to help solve the concern. Lab tests are crucial for all patients. The results help a provider to determine the progress of a patient’s overall health. At the same time, a patient should ASK QUESTIONS if not understanding when a provider reviews the results of the lab tests. One does not have to have a medical degree to [...]
Recipe of the Month: Shrimp Linguine
February’s recipe is the perfect meal for two if you need a last minute Valentine’s Day dinner: Shrimp Linguine.
