NEPHROLOGY NURSES WEEK HIGHLIGHTS SHARED PASSION OF MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DEDICATED TO CARING FOR FRESENIUS KIDNEY CARE DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Nephrology Nurses Week Highlights Shared Passion of Mother and Daughter Dedicated to Caring for Fresenius Kidney Care Dialysis Patients
Waltham, Mass. Sept. 13, 2017 – Nephrology nurse Katrina Tamayo Guzman, RN, shares many interests with her mom, Delia, RN, BSN, a clinical manager at Fresenius Kidney Care in Elmhurst, Ill. Most striking is their dedication to caring for people living with kidney disease who require dialysis to stay alive. During Nephrology Nurses Week, Sept. 10-16, and throughout the year, Delia and Katrina epitomize the passion and commitment of nurses who work with dialysis patients at Fresenius Kidney Care, the dialysis division of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) and a leading network of dialysis facilities.
Originally from the Philippines, Delia moved to the United States in the 1980s and began working with patients with kidney failure after some time working in a nursing home. She has worked at Fresenius Kidney Care in Elmhurst for 35 years.
At a young age, Katrina recognized she, too, had a passion for caring for others. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she enrolled in nursing school. After graduating, she spent a year working in an intensive care unit before moving into nephrology nursing. For the past two years, Katrina has worked at Fresenius Kidney Care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“I’m happy I’ve had such an influence on my daughter’s career by introducing her to the rewarding world of nephrology nursing,” Delia said. “We’ve both cared for patients with other diseases, but there’s just something special about kidney patients. You see them, day in day out – you see the difference you make in helping them regain quality of life. Every day that a patient is not sick is a good day. I’m proud that my daughter and I play important roles in our patients’ successes.”
“Our nurses are special people, providing compassionate care and proactive guidance to be sure patients continue their therapy and thrive,” said Ron Rodgers, Executive Vice President, Fresenius Medical Care North America and President, Fresenius Kidney Care. “Nephrology nurses develop close and often lifelong relationships with patients, enabling them to have a significant and positive impact on patients’ lives. Fresenius Kidney Care’s nurses often stay for many years because they are on the front lines and they know we value their insight as we strive to continually improve the care of all of our patients. We are truly grateful for their commitment, expertise and compassion.”
Because nephrology nursing is unique, requiring a dedication to one-on-one patient care and a passion for improving outcomes and becoming an expert on the kidneys, the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) launched Nephrology Nurses Week in 2005. The week provides all involved – from employers to doctors to patients – the opportunity to thank these dedicated nurses for their vital work. ANNA also hopes to spread the word about the benefits of nephrology nursing, and the various career opportunities within the field. Nephrology truly is one of the most diverse nursing specialties, because nephrology nurses care for patients of all ages, backgrounds and income levels who have, or are at risk for, kidney disease.
Approximately 26 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease (CKD). An estimated 430,000 Americans living with CKD require dialysis to filter their blood because their kidneys have lost the ability to function effectively. To learn more about kidney disease, dialysis and the compassionate providers at Fresenius Kidney Care, visit https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/.
About Fresenius Kidney Care
Fresenius Kidney Care, a division of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), provides dialysis treatment and services to nearly 180,000 people with kidney disease at more than 2,300 facilities nationwide. Fresenius Kidney Care supports people by helping to address both the physical and emotional aspects of kidney disease through personalized care, education and lifestyle support services so they can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Fresenius Kidney Care patients have access to FMCNA’s integrated network of kidney care services ranging from cardiology and vascular care to pharmacy and lab services as well as urgent care centers and the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers.
As a leader in renal care technology, innovation and clinical research, FMCNA’s more than 67,000 employees are dedicated to the mission of delivering superior care that improves the quality of life for people with kidney disease. For more information about Fresenius Kidney Care, visit www.freseniuskidneycare.com, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FreseniusKidneyCare and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FreseniusKC.
About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world’s largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.us.
