In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. Katherine Tuttle, a leading nephrologist and researcher, explores the transformative advancements in chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. She discusses the revolutionary impact of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 agonists, which have shifted the landscape from modestly effective therapies to groundbreaking treatments that significantly slow disease progression, reduce cardiovascular risks, and even prevent kidney failure. These innovations align seamlessly with value-based care models, offering both clinical and economic benefits.

Dr. Tuttle also highlights the potential of combination therapies and the critical role of implementation in maximizing patient outcomes. As Dr. Tuttle puts it, this is a monumental time in medicine, with the potential to conquer CKD and transform lives.

Tune in to gain practical insights, learn about the emerging wave of new therapies, and discover why early intervention and multidisciplinary collaboration are vital.

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In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart speaks with Alex Berrios, a long-time kidney disease patient and advocate, about his journey navigating the challenges of chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation. Alex candidly discusses the physical, emotional, and logistical hurdles of managing his condition, as well as the critical role of family and community support. He also shares his ongoing efforts to secure a second kidney transplant, including participating in clinical trials and exploring innovative solutions like xenotransplantation.

As a patient support coordinator at Interwell Health, Alex discusses how he uses his lived experience to connect with and support other kidney patients. He emphasizes the importance of patient education and ensuring that patients feel heard and understood.

Watch the full episode to hear Alex’s inspiring story and learn what his experiences reveal about the future of kidney-centered value-based care.

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections sheds light on systemic disparities in kidney care and the critical shift toward a race-neutral estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation. Dr. Amaka Eneanya, adjunct professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, discusses the historical use of race in the original eGFR equation, which disproportionately affected Black patients by assigning them higher kidney function levels based solely on race. This flawed approach led to delays in diagnoses, restricted access to nephrology care, and postponed eligibility for kidney transplants.

Dr. Eneanya helped lead the charge for the adoption of a race-neutral eGFR equation. In this discussion, she highlights the positive impact of this change on early intervention and access to treatment for Black Americans. She also shares actionable steps for labs, health plans, and providers to continue to drive adoption of race-neutral kidney disease testing and treatment.

Learn why the shift to a race-neutral eGFR equation matters and how it’s reshaping kidney care. Watch the full episode now.

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections highlights the potential of xenotransplantation to one day address the kidney shortage. Dr. Jay Fishman, a leader in transplant infectious disease at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discusses the scientific advances making pig-to-human kidney xenotransplants possible. He also explores the future of xenotransplantation and its potential to complement traditional organ donation, particularly for urgent or complex cases.

The conversation also covers other forms of innovation paving the way for safer and more effective transplant options, such as new technologies to preserve donated kidneys. These innovations could transform care delivery, offering scalable solutions to meet the growing demand for transplants.

Don’t miss this conversation on innovation, science, and hope for patients. Watch or listen to the full episode of Kidney Health Connections now.

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Do patients realize the difference between traditional care models and the support and services they receive as part of a value-based approach to care? Dr. George Hart and Jennifer Huneycutt, executive director at Metrolina Nephrology Associates, explore what it takes to create healthcare models that genuinely serve patient needs—not just check boxes. This candid conversation reveals the often-overlooked complexities of balancing value-based care and fee-for-service, and why educating and empowering patients is essential for better outcomes.

This episode of Kidney Health Connections also covers the value of comprehensive training programs to equip advanced practice providers (APPs) with the latest clinical knowledge and tools to deliver high-quality care. Jennifer shares lessons learned from Metrolina’s structured approach to APP onboarding and training and how the practice sets patient expectations on the role APPs will play in their care.

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This special episode of Kidney Health Connections includes exclusive highlights from the 2025 Renal Physicians Association (RPA) Annual Meeting, where nephrology professionals gathered to discuss innovation, collaboration, and the future of kidney care. From value-based kidney care models to the role of AI technology in combating clinician burnout to the importance of culture in building successful nephrology practices, this episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking perspectives from the leaders on the front lines of kidney care.

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How do we build a safety net for millions of Americans living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who don’t have the care and support they need to manage this complex, degenerative condition? Unfortunately, a large portion of CKD patients either lack access to a nephrologist or remain unaware of their condition, leading to more severe health complications over time. In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. Julie Dominguez, Interwell Health medical director, dives into the critical role of nephrologists in improving patient outcomes and explores innovative solutions to bridge the care gap in settings where patients don’t have a nephrologist.

To create a comprehensive kidney care safety net—especially in the face of an ongoing nephrologist shortage—Dr. Dominguez shares how Interwell Health works to connect patients with local providers and, when needed, leverages advanced practice providers (APPs) and telehealth to provide focused interim care. She also discusses the role of technology, including predictive analytics and electronic health records, in identifying patients in need of additional support and creating seamless care transitions.

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This episode of Kidney Health Connections explores how to support physicians in the transition to value-based care. Sharing his perspective shaped by decades of experience in nephrology and healthcare technology, Interwell Health Senior Vice President Dr. Terry Ketchersid walks through the wins and hurdles nephrologists have experienced over the last decade, and the importance of creating incentives that work in both fee-for-service and value-based care models as practices navigate this evolving landscape.

During the conversation, Dr. Ketchersid discusses how value-based care programs become “the tide that's raising all boats” as practices translate strategies such as comprehensive patient education across their patient populations. As the co-leader of Interwell's Acumen Epic Connect electronic health record, he also touches on the value of data analytics, spotlighting the role of EHRs in streamlining workflows and enabling better patient outcomes, and the importance of distributing best practices to ensure more physicians can succeed on the road to value-based care.

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