Crystal A. Gadegbeku, MD, FASN, Councilor
Crystal Gadegbeku, MD, is Chair of the Department of Nephrology in the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. She has been involved in NIH-funded clinical and translational research ranging from epidemiologic studies to clinical trials in kidney disease and hypertension including serving in leadership roles for multi-centered research collaborations. She also has an interest in exploring research engagement of diverse populations, especially among racial and ethnic groups overburdened with kidney disease. Her areas of clinical interest include management of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. Dr. Gadegbeku has served two terms as Chair of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Policy and Advocacy Committee and currently serves as an ASN Councilor and member of the National Kidney Foundation-American Society of Nephrology Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosis Kidney Diseases
Current Position/Titles:
Degrees/Training:
ASN Service:
Founding Member, ASN Diversity Workgroup 2013 — 2014 and subsequent Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee 2014 — 2016; Member, Public Policy Board 2013 — 2017; Chair, Policy and Advocacy Committee 2017 — 2019; ASN Councilor At-Large 2020 — 2024, Member, NKF-ASN Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Disease 2020-2021, ASN Council Liaison, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee 2020-2024 and Healthcare Justice Committee 2021-2024.
Leadership positions:
Chair, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Community Health Initiative Advisory Board 2006 ? 2011, Co-Chair, Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort NIH multi-center study Recruitment and Retention Committee 2006 ? 2009, and Publication Executive Committee 2007 ? 2010, Core PI of Clinical Phenotyping and Biobank of the Michigan George M. O?Brien Renal Core Center (P30) 2010 ? 2018, Chair, Nephrotic Syndrome Study NIH Network Adult Protocol Committee 2009 ? 2011 and Co-Chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee 2011- present, Section Chief of Nephrology, Professor with tenure, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 2011 - 2021; Chair, Department of Kidney Medicine, Cleveland Clinic 2021 ? present, Co-Lead, Ending Disparities in Kidney Disease in Ohio ? NKF Leadership Summit, 2023
Honors:
Who's Who in Medical Science Education Award, University of Michigan 2004, 2006, Senior Translational Science Investigator Award, Temple University School of Medicine 2013, Distinguished Visiting Professor MetroHealth of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland 2014; Annual Duke O?Brien Center for Kidney Research Symposium Invited Speaker, 2015, American Society of Hypertension/American Heart Association Symposium Invited Speaker 2019, ?America?s Top Doctors? 2021 ? present, New York Society of Nephrology Lecture Series Invited Speaker, 2022, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Gerald Schulman Lectureship Invited Speaker, 2022.
Board Certification:
Research Interests:
Initially, my career focused on clinical and translational research in vascular biology and chronic kidney disease. Specifically, I contributed to the current understanding of neurovascular and autonomic pathobiology in hypertensive populations and engaged in international team science to define the impact of circulating biomarkers in progression of cardiovascular disease in high risk populations. In addition, I have held leadership roles organizing patient populations for NIH multi-centered collaborative investigation including the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension trial, the Chronic Insufficiency Cohort, the Michigan George M. O'Brien Center, and the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE).
Personal Statement:
Fascinated by kidney physiology, like many, I was attracted to nephrology not knowing that years later, two aunts would die on dialysis. Fueled by this multi-faceted perspective, I have focused my career on positioning myself where I can best contribute to improving lives. ASN has been central to my growth and contributions. Through my many interactions in ASN, I have supported the exciting innovations in research, policy, care delivery, and education. Collectively and mission-focused, the current challenges are surmountable. I would be honored to use my talents and experience to foster advancement in serving current and future vulnerable populations.