Northwestern transplant surgeon and DaVita vice president join National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Board of Directors
(Chicago, IL) — January 29, 2019 —The Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dinee Collings Simpson, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Organ Transplantation at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Amanda L. Hale, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, Vice President of Nursing for DaVita who officially joined the Board on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Dr. Simpson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of organ transplantation to the Board. Her clinical focus includes kidney, pancreas, and liver transplants, as well as dialysis access. Dr. Simpson has a lot of passion for the African-American community affected by chronic kidney disease and she is dedicated to working with the NKFI to reach and better serve that population.
Hale brings more than eighteen years’ experience in the field of nephrology and dialysis. She says she is “excited to lend her knowledge” to the NKFI in an effort to improve patient programs, secure funding for the organization, and strengthen the relationship between the organization and DaVita.
The NKFI is committed to serving the people of Illinois who are at-risk for or have chronic kidney disease by offering prevention, education and empowerment programs. The goal is to reach all affected populations and connect them with educational resources that help give them the power to take control of their own health. The Board of Directors helps to shape these programs and determine the direction of the NKFI.
“It is important to find individuals who fill gaps in our knowledge and experience,” explains Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer Lena Clement. “We want to add very well qualified individuals in their specific areas of expertise to create a diverse Board that has the skills and experience needed to help the NKFI become a thought-leader in the renal community.”
Clement said, “Our Board is a tremendous resource for the foundation. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Dinee Simpson and Northwestern, as well as Amanda Hale and DaVita as we shape our patient programs and services in the coming year.”
To learn more about the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and its Board of Directors, please visit www.nkfi.org.Kidney Disease Facts
Hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents are living with chronic kidney disease and most of them do not know they have it. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, and being over age 60. People of African-American and Hispanic descent are at increased risk of developing the disease.
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois improves the health and well-being of people at risk for or affected by kidney disease through prevention, education and empowerment.
Visit www.nkfi.org for more information.
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