President's Message

Dear ASN Members,

Welcome to October's Renal Express!

In just a few weeks, the ASN's Renal Week 2004 begins. The Program Committee, chaired by Jeff Sands, has created a terrific program that covers virtually all aspects of nephrology, and I feel confident our 2004 meeting will surpass the goal of "Bringing the World's Best Science to Address Renal Disease."

The 24 symposia for Renal Week-2004 cover a tremendous variety of research topics ranging from clinical trials to action of cytokines. Specific details of the program, including ASN's Official Symposia can be found within the Renal Week portion of our website. You will also receive a "Guide to Official Symposia," in the Renal Week materials provided at registration. The Clinical Trials symposia on Monday morning promises to be especially interesting and will include a variety of topics, ranging from continuous dialysis therapies to erythropoeitin and cardiovascular outcomes. There will also be another exciting symposia on Monday, entitled New Options to Manage Salt and Water Balance in Congestive Heart Failure.

During the opening Plenary Session at Renal Week 2004, we will introduce the first group of Fellows of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN). This program recognizes member's efforts to maintain the highest standards for nephrology. It has blossomed and includes more than 260 members. Click here to read the list of our first FASN inductees!

We also will announce the first recipients of the ASN-SLANH minifellowship grant. These grants cover a month-long visit to a U.S.-Canada Renal Unit plus Renal Week expenses. Our goal is to improve interactions with young nephrologists from Latin America. Please help us welcome them.

In last month's message, I noted that the ASN Council decided to create a Research Endowment fund. Its purpose is to fund our portfolio of research grants to the projected level of $2.5 million each year without relying solely on operational funds. We are developing the Research Endowment Fund in a systematic fashion so that ASN members can participate in this important goal.

This is my last President's Message and most of all, I want to thank you for the singular honor of being President of the American Society of Nephrology. I also want to thank Shari Leventhal for her help in creating these messages and Karen Campbell, PhD and the ASN staff for their wonderful support during the past year. As I noted in an earlier message, it is important to have continuity of purpose in pursuing goals of our Society. Our new President, Tomas Berl, is not only committed to these goals but also has many new ideas. I am confident in his leadership abilities and look forward to working with him during the coming year.

Don't forget that the Presidential Election takes place on Tuesday, November 2, the day after Renal Week ends. You may wish to check with your state about applying for an absentee ballot.

Sincerely yours,

William E. Mitch, MD

President
American Society of Nephrology