Join us for the discussion on the treatment and management of hyperphosphatemia or high phosphorus levels in the blood, a common challenge experienced by people living with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

In this episode we heard from:

Dr. Annabel Biruete is an Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Division of Nephrology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Her broad clinical interest is nutrition in kidney diseases. Dr. Biruete’s research aims to study the effects of nutritional and pharmacological therapies for chronic kidney disease on the gastrointestinal tract and gut microbiome. Additionally, Dr. Biruete is interested in improving outcomes in the Hispanic/LatinX community living with chronic kidney disease, primarily targeting nutritional interventions using language- and culturally-concordant lifestyle educational materials.

Melissa Tuff has been living with chronic kidney disease for 30 years. Her journey began in 1996 on her 17th birthday when she “crashed” into dialysis following a misdiagnosed UTI. She was on in-center hemodialysis for 9 and a half years until she received a life-changing kidney transplant that lasted 11 years. In 2016 her kidney rejected and since then, she continued treatment with 4 years of peritoneal dialysis and 6 years of solo home hemodialysis.

She utilizes her Social Media pages for digital education & patient empowerment by hosting educational TikTok Live sessions while performing solo home hemodialysis; offering real-time insight into dialysis life and empowering others to take an active role in their treatment. Her goal is to build a support community and reduce the stigma around kidney disease by fostering open, educational, and uplifting conversations online while providing resources and guidance as to how one can live long and well on dialysis.

Dr. Jaime Uribarri is a practicing nephrologist and clinical investigator in NYC. He has been in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC, since 1990, where he is currently Professor of Medicine and Director of the Renal Clinic and the Home Dialysis Program at the Mount Sinai Hospital. In parallel with his clinical activities, Dr Uribarri has been very active in clinical investigation for more than 40 years. His main areas of research have been on acid-base and fluid and electrolytes disorders as well as nutrition in chronic kidney disease and diabetic patients. He has published well over 200 peer-reviewed papers, written many chapters in books and edited several books. He has lectured extensively on these research topics in New York City as well as in national and international meetings.

High Phosphorus

Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD)

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT)

ASN Kidney Health Guidance on Potassium and Phosphorus Food Additives

Last time we talked about kidney xenotransplantation, we were joined by Towana Loony and Tim Andrews, who shared their personal experiences with receiving a xenotransplant. Today, two doctors who helped propel xenotransplantation forward, Dr. Vineeta Kumar and Dr. Leonardo Riella, are here to explain the science and what comes next.

This episode is supported by eGenesis and United Therapeutics

In this episode we heard from:

Vineeta Kumar is the lead nephrologist for UAB's Living Kidney Donor and Incompatible Kidney Transplant programs. She is an expert in kidney transplantation, living kidney donation, incompatible kidney transplant, kidney paired donation and cardiovascular outcomes after kidney transplantation. Kumar also engages in research in the prevention, treatment and prognosis of antibody mediated rejection. She has been named a "Top Doctor" by U.S. News & World Report each year since 2012.

She has been lead facilitator of the UAB Schwartz Rounds since 2009, a program that brings together nurses, physicians, social workers, and other providers to discuss delivery of compassionate care. She was awarded the Brewer-Heslin Endowed Award for Professionalism in Medicine for the highly skilled and compassionate medical care she provides to her patients. Kumar was recently named "Best Educator" by the 2018, 2019 and 2020 UAB Medical School classes. She has previously served on the Education Committee for the American Society of Transplantation.

Leonardo V. Riella, M.D., Ph.D. is the Harold and Ellen Danser Endowed Chair in Transplant Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on mechanisms of immune regulation and the development of novel therapies to promote transplant tolerance. In addressing kidney disease recurrence post-transplantation, he founded and leads the TANGO Consortium, the largest global effort dedicated to studying glomerular disease recurrence. In March 2024, Dr. Riella led the world’s first successful kidney xenotransplant from a gene-edited pig into a living human. He now leads the first FDA-approved pilot study in kidney xenotransplantation and is conducting high-dimensional immune profiling studies to characterize the human xeno-immune response and guide immunosuppressive strategies. Find out more about Dr. Riella's research here.

Xenotransplantation Information

History is often made through science, but it is lived through people. Today, only four living people in the US have received a xenotransplant or a transplant using a gene-edited pig kidney. Two of these pioneers are here to share in their own words what it means to be part of medical history. Their stories remind us that behind every breakthrough is a person waiting, hoping, and choosing to move forward even when the path ahead is uncertain.

This episode is supported by eGenesis and United Therapeutics

In this episode we heard from:

Tim Andrews is a pioneering kidney patient whose experience has helped shape the emerging field of xenotransplantation. A longtime resident of Concord, New Hampshire, Tim lived with end‑stage kidney disease and endured more than two years on dialysis before stepping into the unknown and signing up for a kidney xenotransplant. On January 25, 2025, he became one of the earliest recipients of a pig kidney and went on to live with the organ for a record 271 days before it was removed due to declining function, an achievement that provided valuable data for researchers around the world. After returning to dialysis, Tim continued his transplant journey and recently received a human kidney transplant, becoming the first person in this group of xenotransplant pioneers to transition from an animal organ to a human donor organ. His courage, resilience, and willingness to participate in cutting‑edge medical research have offered hope to patients facing long transplant wait times and contributed meaningful insights to the scientific community.

Towana Looney is a trailblazing kidney patient whose journey has now made history. After donating a kidney to her mother in 2000 and later developing chronic kidney disease herself, Towana began dialysis in 2016. As a highly sensitized patient with 100% antibodies, she was told she would never qualify for a human kidney transplant. In 2024, Towana was offered a rare and groundbreaking opportunity: to receive a genetically modified pig kidney. She bravely said yes, becoming one of the earliest recipients of a kidney xenotransplant and helping open the door to a new era in transplantation. Towana lived with the xenokidney for 130 days before it was removed. While she has returned to dialysis, her courage has given hope to patients everywhere and invaluable scientific knowledge to the researchers advancing xenotransplantation.

Xenotransplantation Information

A recent online survey of more than 10,000 transplant recipients across the U.S. and Canada found that ninety-two percent had side effects from their immunosuppressive medications. And while most patients trust their care teams, one in four skips doses because of their side effects. Four in ten skip due to cost. Today, I’m joined by Anne Bina, a kidney transplant recipient, and Nurse Practitioner, Nicole McCormick, to discuss the importance of immunosuppressive or anti-rejection medications and how to manage side effects associated with them.

In this episode we heard from:

Nicole McCormick is a Nurse Practitioner with AdventHealth Porter Transplant Institute in Denver, CO. She has been working in Transplant Nephrology since 2015, and she worked as a heart transplant coordinator starting in 2012. Nicole attended the University of Colorado for her Doctor of Nursing Practice as well as her Master’s, and she received her Bachelor of Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies. She enjoys strength training and teaches yoga in her community. Nicole is an avid reader and lifelong student.

Anne Bina-I live in Casper, WY but I was born and raised in WI. When I was 9 I had strep throat and a couple months later I was in the hospital with nephritis. Doctors told my parents that it could reoccur later in my life. I attended the University of WI where I met my husband. He was in the Air Force ROTC, so after we graduated he began his military career. I was blessed with two daughters - Jenny & Kris. Some 30 years later (1992)my husband was stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO. I had just completed my master’s degree, and I was diagnosed with kidney failure with FSGS - all related back to my case of strep. My husband retired from the Air Force in 1998 and we returned to WI. I was placed on the UNOS Transplant list in 1998 at U of WI Transplant Center. By August of 1999, my kidney function had gotten to the point that it it was time to start dialysis. For me at least, I was only on dialysis for less than 2 months when a coordinator from U of Wisconsin called me on Oct 15th 1999 that they had a kidney for me. She told me that my donor was a 16 year old that had been involved in a car accident. Later, I received a picture of “Ryan” my donor, from his family. He is indeed my HERO! Here I am almost 26 years later - LIFE IS GOOD! From 2008 till we moved to Casper in 2016 , I was the Director of a non-profit helping seniors in the Milwaukee area. And for the last 20 years I have been trying to “give back” by being a volunteer and public speaker, first in Wisconsin with the WI Donor Network and now here in Wyoming with the WY Donor Alliance. I have also become active with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Besides being an Ambassador with their on-line site, HealthUnlocked; I have also become a Kidney Advocate. This has involved working with the Wyoming Legislature trying to get the “Living Donor Protection Act”(LDPA) passed. Governor Gordon signed it into WY Law on February 24, 2023.

Transplant Information

Therapeutic needs in solid organ transplant recipients: The American Society of Transplantation patient survey

When it comes to kidney health, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Today, we’re exploring how mental health support can improve your overall well-being and breaking the stigma around therapy and medications.

In this episode we heard from:

Lydia Johnson, MSW -Lydia is a social worker based in Massachusetts. They previously worked in direct care as a dialysis social worker and now serve at the national level as a leader in support of home dialysis social workers and the growth of home dialysis in the kidney care community.

Malkia White -Malkia was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy when she was only 6 years old. In 2017, she began doing nocturnal dialysis for 3 years, 3 nights a week from 9pm – 3am while maintaining a full-time job. In November of 2021 she received a kidney transplant. She celebrates life by continuing to advocate for kidney health and shares her story to encourage people and give others hope.

Shannon Glynn -Shannon Glynn is committed to having face-to-face conversations and dialogue to champion the issues central to the National Kidney Foundation mission. She received her life-saving kidney from her friend Molly in March of 2009 after being on peritoneal dialysis for seven months. And while Shannon thinks that petitions championing the issues are important, she wants to meet with representatives to discuss the concerns surrounding kidney issues today so that they can take action. Shannon believes that care and coverage are essential for transplant patients. She is passionate about the intersection of mental health, kidney disease, and overall wellness.

NKF Peers

According to a 2024 World Health Organization study, over the last 50 years vaccines have saved over 154 million lives worldwide from over 20 life threatening diseases. As vaccines are facing skepticism, we are here to cut through the noise and lay out the facts as to why staying up-to-date on vaccinations is especially important for kidney patients.

This episode is sponsored by Moderna.

In today's episode we heard from:

Mary Baliker has been a dedicated healthcare advocate for the past 40 years, and is involved in several kidney initiatives regionally, nationally and globally. Mary was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of nine and since then has undergone hemodialysis and received four kidney transplants. As a result of this life-long journey, Mary cherishes her life and possesses a strong desire to help improve the healthcare experience, health outcomes and quality of life for patients with kidney disease. In addition to publishing multiple peer reviewed articles related to the kidney patient experience, Mary is the author of Maria Never Gives Up, a story written to help children and families facing chronic illnesses. Her book is distributed across transplant and dialysis centers nationwide and is available for purchase online

William Werbel, MD, PhD is a transplant infectious diseases physician and scientist at Johns Hopkins focused on optimizing protection against infections in immunocompromised persons. He completed clinical and research fellowship in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins following MD training at the University of Michigan and internal medicine residency and chief residency at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. He is the current Associate Director for Epidemiology and Quantitative Sciences in the Johns Hopkins Transplant Research Center and principal investigator of the national Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) cohort study. He receives NIH funding to study the landscape of infections in transplant recipients and evaluate the real-world impact of vaccination using a combination of epidemiological and laboratory approaches.

Additional Resources:

Vaccines for CKD Patients

Vaccine Integrity Project

IDSA Immunization Resources

Emerging Pathogens of Concern in Immunocompromised Persons (EPOC) Study

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