Kidney Health Connections

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 pro...

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....

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...

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 pot...

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-ove...

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 successfu...

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...

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 incentiv...

Alex Azar, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a board member at Interwell Health, joined Kidney Health Connections to share his personal connection to chronic kidney disease (CKD) through his father’s experience and reflect on the aims and impact of the Advancing American Kidney Health (AAKH) initiative he spearheaded. Azar explains how value-based models aim to improve CKD ma...

For some patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), active medical management can offer better quality of life than dialysis or kidney transplantation without necessarily compromising life expectancy. Yet conversations on whether to forego or withdraw from other treatment options can be challenging for patients and clinicians. In this episode of Kidney...

Jessica Prohn, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in renal nutrition, says a renal-friendly diet plays a critical role in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD).  In the latest episode of Kidney Health Connections, Prohn highlights the value of early dietary intervention, emphasizing its impact on slowing disease progression and improving patient quality of life. Maintaining a he...

In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. Carney Taylor, former co-president of Eastern Nephrology Associates in Greenville, NC, shares how the practice achieved a perfect quality score in the government’s value-based Kidney Care Choices Model and an impressive 84 percent optimal start rate during his tenure. Dr. Taylor highlights the importance of care coordination and data, as well as ho...

In this episode of Kidney Health Connections , Dr. George Hart and Jessica Demaline, senior vice president of healthcare operations at Interwell Health, discuss the critical issue of managing depression among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). People with CKD are at a significantly higher risk for depression, which can severely impact their ability to manage their kidney disease and re...

Dr. Kareen Simpson’s nephrology practice, Associates in Nephrology, serves the minority community on the southeast side of Chicago. She joins Kidney Health Connections for a discussion on the critical social determinants of health (SDoH) that impact patient care, including limited access to healthcare, transportation difficulties, financial barriers, and systemic challenges. This episode also delv...

In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart interviews Alex Ruterbories, Director of Data Science at Interwell Health, on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing kidney care. They discuss how machine learning and predictive analytics are helping personalize treatment by predicting patient risks, such as hospitalization or disease progression. Ruterbories elaborates...

Up to one in four patients “crash” into dialysis unexpectedly, often with a catheter, which poses health risks and diminishes quality of life. This episode of Kidney Health Connections explores the challenges of patients starting dialysis treatment urgently and without proper preparation and education. Registered Nurse (RN) Emily Morey, a care manager at Interwell Health, describes the traumatic i...

In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart and Sam Gopal, president of Acumen Physician Solutions, discuss the evolution and challenges of the electronic health record (EHR). Acknowledging the frustrations many physicians feel with record keeping taking time away from patient care, Gopal explains that EHRs are essential for capturing longitudinal patient data and analytics. He d...

This episode of Kidney Health Connections highlights the shift from fee-for-service, where nephrologists could focus mainly on the renal aspects of patient care, to value-based care models, where providers must take a more holistic view of the patient. Naz Urooj, senior vice president of quality and clinical documentation at Interwell Health, explains that risk adjustment models rely on ICD-10 cod...

This episode of Kidney Health Connections features a conversation with Dr. Marc Brazie, a nephrologist at Metropolitan Nephrology Associates in Northern Virginia, about patient education in kidney care. Dr. Brazie discusses the evolution of his practice's approach to patient education and emphasizes the challenges of educating patients about chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly when many pat...

In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart, chief medical officer of Interwell Health, is joined by Ellen Lukens, deputy director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Lukens has played a pivotal role in developing specialty care models, such as the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) model, which aims to improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)...

Welcome to Kidney Health Connections , a groundbreaking new podcast hosted by Dr. George Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Interwell Health and a nephrologist with over 30 years of experience caring for patients. In this exciting series, we dive into the leading-edge advancements that are reshaping kidney care. Join Dr. Hart as he explores value-based kidney care, a holistic approach revolutionizing...