What patient-centric kidney care means to patients & care partners: Expert Q&A

This Signals audio overview gives you the highlights from our expert Q&A on patient-centric kidney care so you can listen while you work or on the go.¹

Summary

This part of our expert interview series delves into patient-centric innovations in U.S. kidney care, offering insights from patient advocates, care partners, and industry leaders. The conversation explores the current state of patient-focused care, highlighting key barriers such as systemic challenges, costs, and gaps in education. Seven experts discuss potential solutions, including enhanced patient education and expanded access to home dialysis. The discussion also stresses the need for policy changes—particularly increased funding for research and stronger incentives for home dialysis—to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Personal stories bring to light the profound emotional and physical toll of kidney disease on patients and families, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reform.

Meet the Experts

• Terry Litchfield, President at Access Solutions

• Karin Hehenberger, President at Lyfebulb

• Fred Hill, Founder at Dialysis Is Not Your Life

• Christina Gilchrist, “Blind Chick” at Living on Dialysis

• Michael Gilchrist, “The Caretaker” at Living on Dialysis

• Jeff Parke, Operations Leader & Patient Advocate

• Vanessa Evans, Director of Advocacy at Fresenius

Connect & Learn

Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more Signals audio overviews, and join the conversation in the comments. Visit the Kidneyverse page to explore the top ideas, innovations, and investments shaping the future of kidney health.

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Keep Exploring

We should probably talk about (barriers to) home dialysis

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Signals Brief: Home Dialysis Bill & FDA AR/VR Home Care Hub

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Signals Brief: The FTC's Antitrust Probe Into Big Dialysis & The State of Noncompetes in Healthcare

Remote Patient Monitoring in Kidney Care

2 years, 3 surgeries, and 400+ treatments later

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Made Possible By

Signals is made possible with the generous support of our sponsors. We are grateful to partner with organizations committed to advancing kidney care and innovation: Roivios, 3iveLabs, Dialysis Education Services, and IKONA.

Become a sponsor 📣: We're accepting applications from mission-aligned companies looking to get in front of 12,000+ monthly readers across the Kidneyverse— clinicians, patients, industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and investors.

Kidneyverse Careers Job Board 💼: Explore top job opportunities across kidney care, from startups to established industry players. Whether you're hiring or looking for your next move, Kidneyverse Careers is the place to connect with top talent and cutting-edge companies.

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