Kidney Updates 2026

J7088

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The Kidney Updates 2026 medical education conference aims to enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes by addressing key challenges in nephrology. It focuses on integrating cardio-renal protection strategies, expanding living donor outreach, standardizing dialysis clinic visit best practices, and improving AV fistula referral processes. Sessions will explore the impact of plant-based diets on CKD progression, the latest treatments for hyperkalemia in ESRD, and updates on CKD-MBD management. A patient panel will provide real-world insights, while discussions on home dialysis therapies and the role of AI in anemia management will address gaps in adoption. By equipping providers with evidence-based knowledge, the conference seeks to advance kidney care and improve patient outcomes.

The audience includes Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Dietitians, Nephrologist, Internists, Dialysis Nurses, Social workers and other healthcare professionals.

• 7 a.m. | Check In / Continental Breakfast / Visit Exhibitors
• 7:45 a.m. | Welcome / Opening Remarks / Introductions
  Umar Farooq, MD, MS, MBA, FASN
• 8 a.m. | Diagnosing and Treating Proteinuric Kidney Disease in Rapidly Changing Times
  Kirk Campbell, MD

  Objectives

  • Define the pathogenesis of proteinuric kidney disease.
  • Define treatment approaches to glomerular and non-glomerular diseases.
• 8:45 a.m. | Optimizing Metabolism – New Hope for CKD Patients
  W. Brian Reeves, MD, FACP, FASN

  Objectives

  • Improve utilization of SGLT2 and GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events.
  • Analyze potential mechanisms by which SGLT2 and GLP-1 therapies exert renal and cardiovascular protective effects.
• 9:30 a.m. | Break / Visit Exhibitors
• 10 a.m. | End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Incentive Program (QIP) and Star Ratings
  Chris Brown

  Objectives

  • Explain structure, scoring methodology, and regulatory requirements of the ESRD QIP, including how clinical and reporting measures impact facility performance and payment reductions.
  • Provide ESRD professionals with actionable strategies to interpret, monitor, and improve their facility’s Five-Star Quality Ratings by leveraging data analytics, evidence-based interventions, and targeted quality improvement practices.
• 10:30 a.m. | Value Based Care – The Who, What, Where, When and Why of Nephrology Care in 2026
  David Somerman, DO

  Objectives

  • Explain the role of value-based care contracting and organizations.
  • Define benchmarks in healthcare and identify strategies to achieve them.
• 11 a.m. | Plant Based Diet and Impact on CKD progression/ESRD care
  Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR

  Objectives

  • Review the 2020 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines for recommendations for incorporating a more plant-based approach to nutrition in CKD and Dialysis patients.
  • Address ways to promote and/or provide a healthier intake in a population with significant socio-economic challenges.
• 11:30 a.m. | ACE Award and Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania (KFCP)
  Phyllis Hicks, BSN, RN, CLSSGB

  Camp Kydnie
  Sabeen Habib, MD

• Noon | Lunch
• 1:15 p.m. | Transplant Panel / Living Donor Outreach
  UPMC Transplant Program
• 2:15 p.m. | Keeping K+ in Check: Modern Approaches to Hyperkalemia in CKD/ESRD
  Ronald P. Miller, MD, FACP

  Objectives

  • Explain the development and pathophysiology of hyperkalemia in kidney disease.
  • Describe prevention and treatment of hyperkalemia in kidney disease.
• 2:45 p.m. | Break / Visit Exhibitors
• 3:05 p.m. | Smarter Anemia Care in Dialysis: Integrating HIF-PHIs, Iron Strategies, and AI-Guided Therapy
  Sundus Sardar, MD

  Objectives

  • Explain the evolving role, mechanisms of action, and safety profile of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) in anemia management for dialysis patients.
  • Apply evidence-based and precision-focused principles of anemia management in dialysis care and incorporate emerging AI-guided decision-support tools to optimize individualized treatment strategies.
• 3:35 p.m. | CKD-MBD 2026: I’ve Got a Bone to Pick with You!
  Brooke Olenowski, PA-C

  Objectives

  • Explain the basic pathophysiology behind Mineral and Bone Disorder (MBD) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients.
  • Interpret MBD-related laboratory results and determine the best treatment options for each individual patient.
• 3:55 p.m. | Provide an Overview of the Chronic Renal Disease Program
  Joshua Goodling

  Objectives

  • Describe the medical services offered through our program, including prescription (RX) support and enrollment procedures.
  • Explain the transportation program available to cardholders who require assistance traveling to and from dialysis appointments.
• 4:15 p.m. | Resistant Hypertension Reimagined: Renal Denervation in the Spotlight
  Umar Farooq, MD, MS, MBA, FASN

  Objectives

  • Highlight recent advances in understanding and managing resistant hypertension.
  • Examine the evidence and clinical impact of renal denervation as a novel therapeutic strategy.
• 4:30 p.m. | Adjournment

Chris Brown
Executive Director
Quality Insights Renal Network

Kirk Campbell, MD
Chief, Division of Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension
C. Mahlon Kline Professor of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Joshua Goodling
Public Health Program Administrator
Bureau of Family Health
Pennsylvania Department of Health

W. Brian Reeves, MD, FACP, FASN
Professor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR
Dialysis Clinical Nutrition Manager
UVA Health System Dialysis Program
UVA Lynchburg Dialysis

Ronald P. Miller, MD, FACP
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Brooke Olenowski, PA-C
Nephrology Physician Assistant
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Sundus Sardar, MD
Internal Medicine Resident Physician
Nephrology Fellowship Graduate
Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center

David Somerman, DO
Nephrology
Hypertension and Kidney Specialists
Lancaster PA

Academic Director
Umar Farooq, MD, MS, MBA, FASN
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Robin Asick, MSW, LCSW, NSW-C
Fresenius Medical Care Kidney Center of Harrisburg

Rebecca Brown

Nasr Ghahramani, MD, MS, FACP
Interim Chair, Department of Medicine
J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences
Distinguished Educator
Penn State College of Medicine

Phyllis Hicks, BSN, RN, CLSSGB
Chief Executive Officer
The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania

Kimberly Mentzer, RD, LDN
Renal Dietitian
US Renal Care Carlisle

Tabitha Semancik, MSW, LSW
UPMC Harrisburg Transplant Services

Rajiv Sharma, MD
Hypertension & Kidney Specialists

Kristy Washinger, CRNP
Kidney Care Specialists, LLC
Nephrology Assoc. of Central PA

Lynne Wright, MSW, LSW
Non-Profit Program Coordinator and Kidney Donor
The Kidney Foundation of Central PA

AMA

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Penn State College of Medicine and The Kidney Foundation of Central PA. Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses Using AMA Credit

Nurses will receive a certificate from Penn State College of Medicine verifying their participation in 6.5 hours of approved continuing medical education. Continuing education activities which are approved by accredited institutions of higher education and that are relevant to patient care or professional nursing meet the requirements of mandatory continuing education for registered nurses in Pennsylvania, as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing recommends that nurses retain their certificates for a period of at least five years. Additional information is available through the State Board of Nursing.

Social Work

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Pa. Code Sections 47.36(a)(3), 48.36(a)(3), and 49.36 (a)(3). Social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn up to 6.5 clock hours of continuing education (or 3 credits per session) for completing this course.

The fee is $125 per person and includes the cost of instruction, all listed meals and online handout materials.

Limited discounted registrations available $100 per person for in-person attendance. Use discount code J7088EB at checkout.

Penn State Fellows and Trainees are free – sponsored by Dr. Nasrollah Ghahramani Medical Education and Research Program in Nephrology Program Endowment in Nephrology fund. Registration is required and the number of available free registrations is limited, please contact Michelle Hegarty mhegarty1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for a free registration coupon code.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Monday April 20, 2026, will incur a $25 late fee.
Cancellations received after Tuesday April 14, 2026, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.
No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Thursday April 16, 2026.

Accommodations are the responsibility of the program participant. A list of Hershey area lodging is available upon request or online.

Join us in Hershey

Hershey is conveniently located in central Pennsylvania, just 90 minutes from Baltimore and Philadelphia, two hours from Washington, D.C., and three hours from New York City.

• Harrisburg-Area Attractions
• Hershey Attractions
• Tanger Outlets in Hershey
• Historic Gettysburg
• Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish Country

A completed evaluation is required in order to receive a certificate for attending this activity. Please complete and submit the evaluation within the specified time frame.

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund any program registration fees paid but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Program registrants who are experiencing illness or have been exposed to anyone who is ill should contact the Continuing Education office before attending any in-person activities.

Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

On-campus educational activities provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education are required to follow healthcare facility guidelines. Off-campus events provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education follow the COVID-19 requirements of that venue. We ask that all participants respect that some attendees may still choose to wear masks for activities. Check the venue website for the latest requirements and recommendations. Please do not attend this activity if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. By attending the activity, you attest that you do not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell or any other sign of illness.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Participants who anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or who have questions about the physical access provided should contact the Continuing Education office at least one week in advance of participation or visit.

It is Penn State policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any relevant financial relationships with commercial companies disclosed by faculty, course directors and planning committee members. Complete disclosure information will be provided to participants at the beginning of the activity.

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