Susan Quaggin, MD, the Charles H. Mayo, MD, Professor and chief of Nephrology and Hypertension in the Department of Medicine, has been elected president of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN).
“It is an honor and a privilege to lead such an incredible organization,” said Quaggin, who is also director of the Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute (FCVRI). “ASN staff, councilors and members are all working towards one goal — a world without kidney diseases — and their dedication, commitment and tireless work to advocate for patients with kidney diseases is incredible.”
Quaggin takes the reins at ASN at a time where kidney care is undergoing a dramatic transformation: new classes of drugs that better protect the kidneys in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, greater attention on disparities and technologic advances that put bio-engineered kidneys just over the horizon.
During her term, Quaggin said she expects to focus on reducing disparities in kidney care and education through programs such as loan mitigation for trainees who are underrepresented in medicine and initiatives to ensure access to new therapies for as many patients as possible.
“It is tremendously exciting to see these talented and committed professionals apply so many new tools to advance care and cure kidney diseases, and I look forward to leading ASN as it advances innovation and care,” Quaggin said.
Quaggin first joined Northwestern in 2013 and has worked to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient care for kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Her science has enhanced the understanding of common glomerular diseases and inspired the development of promising therapeutics, including discoveries regarding blood vessels, lymphatics and specialized hybrid circulations.
Quaggin was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 2006, the Association of American Physicians in 2013, and the National Academy of Medicine in 2019.
“I am forever grateful to the patients with kidney diseases whose stories inspire me every day and gave me my purpose in life,” Quaggin said. “They set me on my path to become a nephrologist and a physician-scientist with one goal: to end kidney diseases.”
The ASN, founded in 1966, has more than 20,000 members from 131 countries. The society represents health professionals and scientists in the fight to prevent, treat and cure kidney diseases.
