Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0961

CANWIN 2026: Building an Infrastructure for Canadian Women in Nephrology and Kidney Health

Session Information

• Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

• 2100 Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

Authors

• Moist, Louise M., London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Louise M. Moist, MD, MS, MSc

• Bargman, Joanne M., University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Joanne M. Bargman, MD

• Levin, Adeera, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Adeera Levin, MD

• Matthews, Nicola, Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Nicola Matthews

• Marin, Alba, Vantive ULC, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Alba Marin, MD

• Pederson, Kristen L., Shared Health Inc, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Kristen L. Pederson, MD

• Basso, Geovana, Vantive US Healthcare LLC, Deerfield, Illinois, United States

Geovana Basso, MD, MS, MSc, MBA

Background

Women in nephrology continue to face barriers that limit career progression, leadership advancement, and compensation equity despite ongoing workforce shortages. Simultaneously, women living with kidney disease face underrecognized risks related to reproductive health, pregnancy, menopause, cardiovascular disease and mortality. The Canadian Women in Nephrology Summit (CANWIN) was created as a national forum to examine these interconnected challenges through the lens of professional, patient care and health equity, and develop a scalable framework to support women in nephrology as leaders and advocates for women with kidney disease.

Methods

A qualitative synthesis was conducted using presentations, panel discussions, and reflections from approximately 40 female healthcare professionals across Canada. Participants had a broad range of experience and expertise, ranging from trainees to retired physicians, with specialization in adult and pediatric practice. Content from the 1.5-day meeting was organized into domains including career architecture, mentorship and sponsorship, nonlinear career pathways, women’s kidney health across the life span, health equity, and systems level recommendations for implementation.

Results

Four themes emerged: 1. Women’s advancement in nephrology represents systems and culture design challenges requiring changes in workplace expectations, leadership visibility, and institutional accountability. 2. Mentorship and sponsorship are required to advance leadership, research, and career advancement. 3. Nonlinear careers are shaped by caregiving, maternity, and evolving professional roles while supporting sustainability and retention. 4. Advancing research and person-centered outcomes for women with kidney disease requires greater focus on reproductive health and associated pregnancy related kidney risks. Other priorities were psychological safety, community building, and creating networks to support collaboration and visibility.

Conclusion

Advancing outcomes for Canadian women in nephrology requires intentional infrastructure rather than isolated initiatives. Future efforts should translate dialogues into measurable actions through sponsorships, mentorships, leadership development, collaborative scholarships, and advocacy women-specific health care priorities. CANWIN may serve as a scalable model to strengthen gender equity in nephrology, leadership, research, and patient care.

Funding

• Commercial Support – Vantive ULC