About ASN

Black History Month

ASN celebrates Black History Month by highlighting influential Black members of the nephrology community.

February 2026

Amaka Eneanya

Self-Introduction

I am a board-certified nephrologist, former Chief Transformation Officer at Emory Healthcare, and Adjunct Associate Professor at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

What inspired you to pursue a career in nephrology?

I have always been fascinated with kidney pathophysiology. It was one of my favorite topics in medical school. However, learning more about the patient population in residency is what solidified my career choice. I was struck by the racial and ethnic inequities that were rampant in the field. I vowed to do everything in my power to eliminate those inequities!

Can you share a moment in your career where DEI made a meaningful impact—on you, a patient, or the field of nephrology?

Some people know that for several years, many others and I fought for changes in care delivery and health policy to advance equitable care for Black patients with kidney disease. We wanted to ensure that people understood that race is a social rather than biological construct and that race should not be a variable in eGFR equations. In fact, the second federal policy that we developed through the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Minority Affairs Committee has ensured that 19,000 Black patients have moved up on transplant waitlists across the country, and over 6,000 patients have received a kidney transplant because of it (data as of June 2025).

What advice would you give to the next generation of diverse professionals entering the field?

I would say it's important to hold your teams accountable, but you should also hold yourself accountable. It's very easy to let your ego lead the way or for increasing power to diminish your character. Even at the executive level, you should always be seeking feedback on how you can improve. This feedback should come from your team, superiors, and the community. Achieving academic promotion, improved patient outcomes, and financial goals are critically important in any scientific or clinical career. However, being a servant leader where you deprioritize personal status and power to uplift others to be their best selves should always be the goal.

Anthony Muiru, MD, MPH

Self-Introduction

I am an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of California, San Francisco, and a physician-scientist focused on advancing equity in kidney health. My work is shaped by both lived experience and a commitment to addressing the disproportionate burden of kidney disease in Black communities in the United States and globally. I lead the SEARCH-CKD longitudinal cohort study in Kenya and Uganda and conduct research on structural determinants of chronic kidney disease, APOL1-associated risk, and equitable approaches to kidney care delivery. Through patient care, mentorship, and leadership in diversity initiatives within academic medicine, I am dedicated to strengthening the pipeline of diverse leaders in medicine and ensuring that scientific advances translate into meaningful impact for all individuals, including those from historically marginalized populations.

What inspired you to pursue a career in nephrology?

During my training, I saw how kidney disease disproportionately affects Black communities in the United States and globally, and I was compelled to work at that intersection of biology, equity, and population health. Nephrology allows me to integrate bedside clinical care with research on structural determinants of chronic kidney disease, advancing both scientific discovery and equitable outcomes.

Can you share a moment in your career where DEI made a meaningful impact—on you, a patient, or the field of nephrology?

One of the most meaningful impacts of DEI in my career has been the opportunity to participate in structured pipeline and faculty development programs designed to broaden representation in medicine and academic nephrology. Through these initiatives, I received mentorship, sponsorship, and research support at pivotal stages of training and early faculty development—resources that are not equitably distributed in traditional pathways. That investment fundamentally shaped my trajectory as a clinician-scientist and leader.

Without those programs, I would not be the physician or investigator I am today. They did more than provide funding; they created community, affirmed belonging, and made visible a pathway forward in academic medicine. Experiencing that impact firsthand has deepened my commitment to building and sustaining similar opportunities for the next generation of diverse leaders in medicine.

What advice would you give to the next generation of diverse professionals entering the field?

My advice to the next generation of diverse professionals entering nephrology is this: the field needs you. Your perspectives, lived experiences, and intellectual contributions are essential to advancing scientific excellence and delivering equitable patient care. Seek mentors and sponsors who will advocate for you, and build community with intention.

Nephrology is demanding, but it is also deeply meaningful. There is profound joy in service—in walking alongside patients through chronic illness, advancing knowledge through scholarship, and helping shape systems that work better for everyone.

February 2024

Orville Newton-Ray Bignall, II, MD, FASN

Introduction

Deidra C. Crews, MD, ScM, FASN, MACP

Introduction

This year, ASN welcomes its first Black President, Deidra C. Crews, MD, ScM, FASN, MACP. She continues to advance kidney care daily by promoting health equity and advocating for more equitable care solutions.

Hear from Dr. Crews

More than 37 million Americans are living with kidney diseases. I am committed to advancing kidney health equity and health care justice for all people affected by kidney diseases, including socially marginalized populations.

Robert S. Hoover, Jr., MD, FASN

Introduction

February 2023

Cameron J. Charlow, DO

Self-Introduction

I am currently a renal fellow at the University of Colorado. I was born in Los Angeles, California. Yes, I am a Lakers fan. I am a huge history buff and love learning about all types of cultures and civilizations. I am currently working on projects to help build resources for diversity in renal disease.

What does Black History Month mean to me?

Black History Month is a celebration of all of the accomplishments made and those to come in the future. It is a month to share the similarities and differences within the Black community. Enjoying New food, Music, Dance, Art, and Language. Its a reminder that black history is vast, unique, diverse, filled with times of great sorrow, however triumphant, strong, alive and loving.

How has ASN impacted you as a person of color?

Recently, ASN assisted with me attending Kidney Week for the first time. For me it was such an important week to see and hear so many voices and prospective on Kidney Disease. It was not only inspiring but I know it shaped my future in medicine.

What would you like to see from ASN in the future regarding programming and support for people of color?

• National Fellow Education
• Mental Health Support for Practitioners and Patients
• Further Inclusion of Asian/Pacific Islanders in Clinical Studies

Patrick O. Gee, Sr., PhD, JLC

Self-Introduction

I am a husband, father of five, and a grandfather of 9. One of my sons has been doing hemodialysis since May 2021.

What does Black History Month mean to me?

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of African Americans and their culture. It is also a time to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is a time to understand Black stories, uplift Black voices, and spotlight those who have made significant differences in this society.

How has ASN impacted you as a person of color?

Very much so. ASN is one of the few organizations that has enlisted my humanity over my ethnicity. ASN sees my worth, gifts, and talents over my affliction. As an African American living with CKD, ASN has taken the initiative to delve into racism and its impact on kidney care and the health system. ASN has not only jumped into the fray against racial discrimination and institutional biases but has spoken out against the discrimination against the LGBTQA+ community, sexism, and other important initiatives that have promoted a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.

What would you like to see from ASN in the future regarding programming and support for people of color?

I would like to see more patient-focused health literacy on eGFR and GFR and the new changes when I comes to kidney transplantation.

*In 2024, Dr. Gee wrote a thought piece describing the historical forces that shape health outcomes for Black Americans.

Denise Kimbrough, MD, PhD

Self-Introduction

Current PGY-4 in internal medicine and pediatrics. Starting Med/Peds Nephrology fellowship in July at The Ohio State and Nationwide Childrens.

What does Black History Month mean to me?

To me black history means walking/living the dreams of my ancestors. It is giving the opportunity for those younger than me to see themselves in non-traditional roles. It is the smile on a patient's face and sense of relief I see when I walk into a room announcing myself as their doctor. They announce feeling that they finally will have someone who understands how their social/personal struggles have impacted their health. Black history is change.

How has ASN impacted you as a person of color?

ASN provided me with the opportunity to see individuals of color impacting their community in positive lights. It was a place where disparities were addressed in a timely manner to ensure that all patients receive equitable care.

What would you like to see from ASN in the future regarding programming and support for people of color?

I would like to see ASN go into community schools (middle and high school) to teach children from impoverished backgrounds how to help improve their health long-term and help their parents stay healthy.

February 2022

Jason Cobb, MD

What does Black History Month mean to me?

Black history month is the celebration of black achievements which often go unnoticed in American history. It's my opportunity to share these stories of resilience that permeate the African American experience, and their impact on me. Blacks have excelled and continue to excel in science, medicine, business, the arts, and entertainment. Black history month is my opportunity to uplift black institutions such as historically black colleges and universities and other organizations that lead in the pursuit of black excellence daily.

How has ASN impacted you as a person of color?

I'm proud to be a nephrologist and a member of ASN. ASN has a great commitment to eliminating health disparities and the NKF-ASN Task Force work recommending removing race from eGFR is important to the black community! ASN is one of the first medical professional societies to have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, and now a new healthcare justice committee. I'm a member of the ASN DEI committee and ASN has afforded me the opportunity to represent ASN on initiatives like the National Collaborative for Improving the Clinical Learning Environment, CMSS Equity Matters program, and to explore diversity in the nephrology workforce.

What would you like to see from ASN in the future regarding programming and support for people of color?

ASN should continue to be a leader in DEI and I'm looking forward for initiatives to diversity the nephrology workforce and support underrepresented minority faculty.

*In 2024, Dr. Cobb also served as the ASN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair. He is a proud graduate of the HBCU, Morehouse College.