Thursday, February 26 

Session 1: PD Fundamentals 

1:00-3:00 pm  

Moderator: Isaac Teitelbaum, MD 

1:00 Membrane Physiology 101 – Isaac Teitelbaum, MD 

1:20 The Role of PET in Clinical Practice – Megha Salani, MD 

1:40 ABC’s of PD Prescriptions – Anjali Saxena, MD, FASN 

2:00 Tidal PD – What and Why? Preethi Yerram MD, MS, FASN 

2:20 Urgent Start PD– Georgi Abraham, MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCP 

2:40 Discussion 

 

Session 2: HD Fundamentals 

1:00-3:00 pm   

Moderator: Lisa Koester Wiedemann, APN 

1:00 Hemodialysis Machines and Dialyzers – William Fissell, MD  

1:30 Writing the HD Prescription – Basics and Beyond –John T. Daugirdas, MD, FASN 

2:00 Anticoagulation in HD – Anil Agarwal, MD 

2:30 Dialyzer and HD Machine-related Complications – Abdul Hannan Rasheed, MD 

 

Session 3: Remote Monitoring in Peritoneal Dialysis: Harnessing Technology to Enhance PD Outcomes  

1:00-3:00 pm  

Moderator: Vikram Aggarwal, MD, DNB, FASN  

1:00 Setting RPM Parameters, Alert Thresholds and Overview of RPM features – Nishant Jalandhara, MD 

1:30 Remote Monitoring in Action: Case-Based Applications in PD – Vikram Aggarwal, MD, DNB, FASN 

2:00 Current Evidence and Future Directions in PD Remote Monitoring – Graham Abra MD 

2:30 Implementing RPM and Management in Your Program – Vikram Aggarwal, MD, DNB, FASN  

2:50 Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling RPM in PD 

 

3:00 Break 

 

Session 4: PD Fundamentals 

3:30-5:00 pm   

Moderator: Stephen Haggerty, MD, FACS 

3:30 Maintaining Optimal PD Catheter Function (placement, mechanics) – Stephen Haggerty, MD, FACS 

3:55 Exit Site Care, Assessment and Complications –Joanna Neumann, RN, CNN 

4:20 Fluid Management in PD- Isaac Teitelbaum, MD 

4:45 Discussion 

 

Session 5: HD Fundamentals: Hemodialysis 

3:30-5:00 pm  

Moderator: Andrew Webb FNP 

3:30 Common HD Complications (elevated BP, IDH, intradialytic symptoms, fever) Kunal Malhotra, MD  

4:00 Effective Rounding in the HD Unit (high yield areas, what matters to patients, involving the IDT) – Amy Mosman, MMS, PA-C 

4:30 How to Manage Common Symptoms in HD (Insomnia, Restless Legs, Itching and Depression) – Michelle Hwang, MD 

 

 Session 6: Wearable and Implantable Artificial Kidneys: Updates and Progress 

3:30-5:00 pm   

Moderator: William Fissel, MD  

3:30 Current Status of Clinical Trials and Regulatory Pathways – H. David Humes, MD 

3:55 Technological Hurdles and Solutions – William Fissel, MD  

4:20 Ethical and Accessibility Considerations for Future Technologies – Peter Kotanko, MD 

4:45 Discussion 

 

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Friday, February 27  

 

Session 7: General Session and Keynote Presentations   

8:30-10:00 am 

8:30 Welcome – Richard Barohn, MD. Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs/Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean, School of Medicine, University of Missouri; Ramesh Khanna, MD; Anjay Rastogi, MD, PhD  

8:45 Award Presentations  

 

Keynote Presentations  

9:00 Rising Tides or Perfect Storm? Critical Lessons from the ETC Model for the Future of Dialysis Care – Suzanne Watnick, MD, FASN 

9:30 Home Again: The Resurgence of Peritoneal Dialysis –Joanne Bargman, MD FRCPC  

 

10:00-10:30 am  Break 

Session 8: Non-Infectious PD Complications  

10:30-12:00 pm   

Speakers: Vikram Aggarwal, MD, DNB, FASN; Joanna Neumann, RN, CNN 

PD nurses play a crucial role in providing support to patients after they complete training. This multidisciplinary session looks at how PD nurses collaborate with nephrologists to trouble shoot common complications.    

 

 

Session 9: Advances in Vascular Access Management 

10:30-12:00 pm   

Moderator: Vandana Dua Niyyar, MD, FASN, FASDIN  

10:30 Fistula First to Catheter Last – Patient Selection for Optimal Access – Gopa Green, MD, FASN 

10:50 Reducing Central Venous Catheter-related Infections – Anil Agarwal, MD 

11:10 Percutaneous AV Fistula Creation: Innovation or Overhype? Arsh Jain, MD, FRCPC 

11:30 Emerging Technologies for Vascular Access Dysfunction DCBs/Stents/New Anastomotic Devices – Bharat Sachdeva, MD 

11:50 Discussion 

 

Session 10: Workshop: Writing a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Prescription: A Comprehensive Approach 

10:30-12:00 pm   

Speaker: Ramesh Khanna, MD  

Writing a PD prescription involves far more than simply specifying the number of exchanges per day and the dextrose concentration of the dialysate. It is a dynamic, individualized process that requires careful consideration of multiple patient-specific factors. These include but are not limited to the patient’s blood pressure, daily weight changes, peritoneal membrane transport characteristics, and the types of PD solutions available—whether dextrose-based or icodextrin.  

This workshop is designed to explore the essential elements in depth, focusing on the principles and practicalities of tailoring and refining PD prescriptions to optimize outcomes for each individual patient. 

 

Session 11: Value-Based Kidney Care: Promise, Pitfalls, and the Path Forward 

10:30-12:00 

Moderator: Suzanne Watnick, MD, FASN 

This session examines the promise and pitfalls of value-based kidney care within today’s health systems. Expert faculty will explore what is working, what is not, and how value-based models are shaping dialysis care delivery, followed by a panel discussion on practical lessons, challenges, and future directions for improving outcomes and equity in kidney care. 

10:30 What’s Right and Wrong with Health System Value-based Kidney Care? Leslie Wong, MD, MBA, FACP, FASN 

11:00 Panel Discussion: Ankur Shah MD, MPH; Kevin Erickson MD, MS; Thao Truong Pascual MD, FASN 

 

12-1:15 PM Lunch symposium- Doors open at 12, program starts at 12:15 pm 

 

Session 12: Medicare (Dis)Advantage?  How the Increase in MA Enrollment Is Impacting the ESRD Population 

2:00-4:00 pm   

Moderator: Nishant Jalandhara, MD 

The dialysis payment landscape has seen a drastic shift since the implementation of the 21st century cures act, with Medicare Advantage soon to become the predominant payer. This session will focus on the effect of MA plans on ESKD patient care. 

2:00 Why Has MA Become So Popular in the Population with ESKD? Ankur Shah, MD, MPH 

2:25 What Is the Impact of MA on Dialysis Patients?  Kevin Erickson, MD, MS 

2:50 What Is the Impact of MA on the Dialysis Ecosystem? Nishant Jalandhara, MD 

3:15 How Will MA Impact the Transition to VBC, Equity Implication of the Growth of MA – Thao Truong Pascual, MD, FASN  

3:40 Discussion 

 

 

Session 13: CRRT Across the Spectrum: From Fundamentals to Complex Clinical Scenarios 

 2:00-4:00 

Moderator: Preethi Yerram 

2:00 CRRT Fundamentals (Rx, technology) Michelle Hwang, MD  

2:30 Anticoagulation for CRRT – Javier Neyra 

3:00 CRRT in Liver Failure– Lili Chan, MD, MSCR 

3:30 CRRT in Fluid Management – Javier Neyra 

 

Session 14: Updates on Newer Pharmaceuticals in CKD/ESRD 

2:00-4:00 pm  

Moderator: LaVonne Burrows, APRN, BC, CNN 

2:00 HIF-PHIs: Steven Fishbane 

2:25 GLP-1s/SGLT2i – Henry Zelada, MD, FACE 

2:50 What’s New in Phosphorus Management – Steven Fishbane 

3:15 What’s New in Potassium Management – Connie Rhee  

3:40 Discussion 

 

 

Session 15: Dialysis Access/POCUS Workshop Hands-on Course: Multidisciplinary 

2:00-4:00 pm   

Arsh Jain, MD, FRCPC; Vandana Dua Niyyar, MD, FASN, FASDIN; Nupur Gupta, MD 

This session is a hands-on multidisciplinary course designed to enhance participants’ clinical skills in evaluating and managing dialysis access (HD vascular access and PD catheters). The session combines focused didactic instruction with practical training, offering an immersive experience in both physical examination and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) techniques for evaluation of dialysis access. Attendees will learn to perform comprehensive physical examinations of dialysis access, use ultrasound to evaluate access maturation and mark areas for cannulation, and address common troubleshooting scenarios encountered in the dialysis unit. This workshop aims to equip clinicians and providers with the knowledge and technical proficiency necessary for optimizing dialysis access care. 

• Didactics 

• Hands-on  

• Physical Examination of Dialysis Access 

• US of Dialysis Access for Maturation Evaluation 

• US Dialysis Access for Cannulation 

• Troubleshooting in the Dialysis Unit 

 

4:00-5:30 pm  Poster Presentations and Exhibitor Reception 

 

 

 

 

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Saturday, February 28  

Session 16: Hemodiafiltration 

8:00-10:00 am   

Moderator: Preethi Yerram MD 

8:00 HDF Technology -Thomas Golper, MD 

8:40 CONVINCE Trial and Hemodiafiltration (HDF) Outcomes – Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, MD, PhD 

9:20 Clinical Implications, Patient Selection and Future Research Avenues – Thomas Golper, MD 

 

Session 17: HHD Fundamentals  

8:00-10:00 am   

Moderator: Brent Miller, MD 

8:00 HHD – Where Did We Start and Where Are We Now? Brent Miller, MD 

8:25 HHD – Rx and Various Forms (nocturnal, short daily and clearance implications) Nupur Gupta, MD 

8:50 HHD Technology – Brent Miller, MD 

9:15 Patient Selection for HHD /Role of the Care Partner – Lisa Koester Wiedemann, APN 

9:40 Home-Assisted Hemodialysis – Christopher Chan, MD, FRCPC 

10:00 Discussion 

 

Session 18: Joint Session with the ISPD North American Chapter (NAC)  

8:00-10:00 am  

8:00     Presidential Address – Jenny Shen, MD, MS 

8:10     Environmental Impact of PD: Facilitating a Path to Green Dialysis  

Moderator: Graham Abra, MD 

Topic Experts: Megha Salani, MD; M. Camila Bermudez, MD; Ankur Shah, MD, MPH 

Three small roundtable group discussions will focus on the environmental effect of peritoneal dialysis delivery. Topic experts will lead and facilitate group discussions on 1) the carbon footprint of peritoneal dialysis, 2) potential solutions to help reduce the carbon footprint of peritoneal dialysis, 3) encouraging the different stakeholders to adopt green dialysis. 

8:55     Panel Discussion/Concluding Remarks 

9:05     Break 

9:10     Female Sex & PD Catheter Dysfunction: Theory & Discussion 

Moderator: Jenny Shen, MD, MS 

Speakers: Joanne Bargman, MD, FRCPC; Rob Quinn, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Tina Kim, MD 

This case-based session will explore PD catheter dysfunction, including a discussion of the ISPD NAC Research Fellow’s study findings in this topic and gender associations with PD outcomes. 

10:00   Break 

10:00-10:30 Break 

 

Session 19: ISPD Joint Session with the ISPD North American Chapter (NAC) continued 

10:30-12:00 pm   

10:30   Debate – Should the United States Adopt a PD-first Policy?  

Moderator: Osama El Shamy, MD 

A spirited debate about the utility of adopting a peritoneal dialysis-first policy in the United State, following in the footsteps of other countries who have taken this approach.  

Pro: Anjali Saxena, MD, FASN 

Con: Kevin Erickson, MD, MS 

 

11:10   Break 

 

11:15   Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of Dialysis 

Facilitators: Osama El Shamy, MD, FASN, FNKF; Kunal Malhotra, MD 

  

 

Session 20: BP and Fluid Management in CKD/ESRD 

10:30-12:00 pm    

Moderator: Michelle Hwang, MD 

10:30 Refractory Hypertension Meets Renal Denervation: A Match Worth Pursuing in CKD/ESRD? Raj Karuparthi, MD 

10:55 Fluid Management in Patients with Kidney Disease (Technological Aids for Fluid Assessment, Individualized Fluid Removal Strategies) – Bharat Sachdeva, MD 

11:20 Management of Intradialytic Hypotension: What’s New? – Ramin Sam  

11:45 Discussion 

 

 

Session 21: Emergency Preparedness 

10:30-12:00  

Moderator: Don Molony, MD 

10:30 Disaster Preparation for Dialysis Patients and Providers – Gopa Green, MD, FASN 

10:55 Lessons Learned from Increased Infection Rate in a HHD Program After Supply Chain Disruptions – Rose Faratro, RN, BHScN, CNeph(c)  

11:20 Personal Experiences in Caring for Dialysis Patients During Disasters – Don Molony, MD  

11:45 Discussion 

 

 

Session 22: Kidney Transplantation: The Road to Transplant and Back Again   

10:30-12:00 pm  

Moderator: Abdul Hannan Rasheed, MD  

10:30 Fundamentals of an Effective Dialysis Unit / Transplant Program Partnership – Amy Mosman, MMS, PA-C 

10:55 Keeping Dialysis Patients Transplant Ready – Lisa Koester Wiedemann, APN 

11:20 What to Do with Those Immunosuppressives After Re-starting Dialysis – Andrew Webb, FNP, DNP 

11:45 Discussion 

 

12:00-2:00 pm  Lunch symposium, Posters, and Exhibits 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session 23: Home Dialysis in Special Situations   

2:00-4:00 pm  

Moderator: Rob Quinn, MD, PhD, FRCPC   

2:00 PD in AKI – Arsh Jain, MD, FRCPC 

2:20 PD in Patients with Leaks/Hernias/Post Abdominal Surgery- Rob Quinn, MD, PhD, FRCPC 

2:40 PD in the Setting of LVAD/End-stage Heart Failure- Graham Abra, MD 

3:00 Dialysis in (Nursing) Home Patients – Ankur Shah, MD, MPH 

3:20 HHD in a Patient with Epidermolysis Bullosa – Rose Faratro, RN, BHScN, CNeph(c) 

3:40 Discussion 

 

 

Session 24: Advancements in Home Hemodialysis (HHD) Technologies and Programs 

2:00-4:00 pm   

Moderator: Christopher Chan, MD, FRCPC  

2:00 Addressing Barriers to HHD Adoption (patient training, caregiver burden, technical support)-Brent Miller, MD 

2:25 The Role of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Telehealth in Supporting HHD Patients – Nupur Gupta, MD 

2:50 Retention Strategies for Home Hemodialysis – Christopher Chan, MD, FRCPC 

3:15 Outcomes Data for HHD (patient satisfaction, hospitalization rates, survival) – Osama El Shamy, MD, FASN, FNKF 

3:40 Discussion 

 

 

Session 25: Navigating the Dialysis Regulatory Landscape-Foundation Blocks: Compliance and Regulatory Essentials 

2:00-4:00 pm  

Moderator: Preethi Yerram, MD, FASN 

This 2-part session explores key administrative and regulatory components of dialysis care. Topics include CMS Conditions for Coverage, water management standards, involuntary discharges, and the roles of staff and providers within dialysis clinics. The session also covers issues relevant to acute or hospital-based dialysis, including medical directorship. A focused discussion period will address quality improvement metrics, state survey processes, and legal considerations such as Stark Law and joint ventures. 

2:00 CMS Conditions for Coverage – Daniel Landry, DO, FASN 

2:20 Dialysis Water Management – David Henner, DO 

2:40 Involuntary Discharges and Other ESRD Network Roles – Ramin Sam  

3:00 Provider/staff Roles in Dialysis Clinic – Don Molony, MD 

3:20 Acute or Hospital-Based Dialysis Medical Directorship – Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, MD, PhD 

3:40 Discussion  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session 26: Fellows Forum  

2:00-4:00 pm   

Moderators: Kunal Malhotra, MD 

Judges: Georgi Abraham, MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCP; John T. Daugirdas, MD, FASN; M. Camila Bermudez, MD 

Fellows Keynote Presentation 

2:00 Lessons from a Lifetime in PD: How Young Nephrologists Can Shape the Future of Kidney Care – Georgi Abraham, MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCP 

2:30 An Unseen Dialysis Complication: Ocular Dialysis Disequilibrium – Benjamin Brier, MD  

2:40 Questions 

 

2:45 A Management Challenge Beyond Kt/V: Recurrent Pericarditis in a High PD Patient – Raghad Jaradat, MD  

2:55 Questions 

 

3:00 Sigmoid Perforation and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess from a Dormant Peritoneal Diaysis Catheter – Tina Kim, MD  

3:10 Questions 

 

3:15 More Than Just a Filter: A Collaborative Approach to Lutathera for a Patient on Chronic Intermittent Hemodialysis (iHD) – Julia Nguyen  

3:25 Questions 

 

3:30 Peritoneal Dialysis in a Bed-Bound Patient with Feeding Tube Dependence: Infection, Leakage, and Adequacy Concerns – Paige Orlofsky, MD  

3:40 Questions 

 

3:45 A Journey in Reverse: Navigating New-Onset Crescentic IgA Glomerulonephritis and Dialysis Modaity Challenges in a Long-Term LVAD Recipient – Ahmed Sarwat, MD  

3:55 Questions 

 

4:00-4:10 Judges convene to select winner 

 

4:00-4:30 pm Break 

 

 

 

Session 27: Nurse/APP Networking Event 

4:30-5:30 

Join fellow dialysis nurses and advanced practice providers for an engaging network session designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and build professional connections. 

Panelist: Andrew Webb, FNP, DNP; Catherine Ashbaugh, ACNS, BC; Cheryl Cress, RN, CNN; LaVonne Burrows, APRN, BC, CNN  

 

 

 

 

 

Session 28: Navigating the Dialysis Regulatory Landscape: Growth Strategies: Quality Metrics and Strategic Partnerships 

4:30-5:45 pm   

Moderator: David Henner, DO 

This 2-part session explores key administrative and regulatory components of dialysis care. Topics include CMS Conditions for Coverage, water management standards, involuntary discharges, and the roles of staff and providers within dialysis clinics. The session also covers issues relevant to acute or hospital-based dialysis, including medical directorship. A focused discussion period will address quality improvement metrics, state survey processes, and legal considerations such as Stark Law and joint ventures. 

4:30 QI Metrics to Consider – Daniel Landry, DO, FASN 

4:50 State Surveys – David Henner, DO 

5:10 Working with Dialysis Providers, Joint Ventures, Medical Directorship, and Stark Law -Don Molony, MD 

 

 

Session 29: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in Dialysis Care 

4:30-5:45 pm   

Moderator: 

4:30 Beyond the Algorithm: Critical Appraisal of AI Applications in Nephrology– Lili Chan, MD, MSCR 

5:00 Early Detection and Prediction of Outcomes with Hands-on Participation – Peter Kotanko, MD 

 

Session 30: Incremental Hemodialysis (iHD) 

4:30-5:30 pm  

Moderator: Preethi Yerram, MD, FASN 

4:30 Criteria for Identifying Suitable Candidates for iHD – Kamyar Kalantar Zadeh, MD, PhD 

4:50 Monitoring Residual Kidney Function and Adjusting Dialysis Frequency – John T. Daugirdas, MD, FASN 

5:10 Operational Challenges and Strategies for Implementing iHD in Dialysis Units – Kamyar Kalantar Zadeh, MD, PhD 

 

5:30-7:00 pm  Exhibits/Poster Sessions Open  

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Sunday, March 1, 2026 

Session 31: Breaking Down Silos: Understanding the Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Continuum in  

Patients with Kidney Disease 

8:30-10:00 am   

Moderator: 

This groundbreaking session with a multidisciplinary expert panel (Nephrology, Cardiology and Endocrinology) will explore CKM Syndrome—a revolutionary approach that recognizes cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, and metabolic disorders as interconnected conditions requiring coordinated care. 

8:00 Evolution of CKM Syndrome – Connie Rhee  

8:10 Pathophysiological Interconnections – Raj Karuparthi, MD  

8:25 CKM Risk Stratification – Henry Zelada, MD, FACE  

8:45 Pharmacological Interventions – Connie Rhee; Raj Karuparthi, MD; Henry Zelada, MD, FACE 

9:10 Non-Pharmacological Approaches- Connie Rhee; Raj Karuparthi, MD; Henry Zelada, MD, FACE 

9:35 Future Directions – Connie Rhee; Raj Karuparthi, MD; Henry Zelada, MD, FACE 

 10:00 Break 

Session 32: Pathways to Independence: In-Center Self-Care as a Model of Care and a Steppingstone to Home Hemodialysis 

8:30-10:00 am   

Moderator: Osama El Shamy, MD, FASN, FNKF 

This panel discussion will explore the critical role of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in promoting patient independence and building self-care skills to facilitate a smooth transition from in-center hemodialysis to home hemodialysis (HHD). Through case studies, we will illustrate the importance of patient education, training, and support in developing self-cannulation skills, a key component of HHD. Our expert panel will discuss effective retention strategies and share best practices for promoting patient autonomy, adherence, and overall well-being. 

8:00 In-Center Self-Care HD and Beyond: Exploring the Spectrum to Solo Home Hemodialysis  

1. M.Camila Bermudez, MD

• Overview of In-center Self-care HD and Solo Home Hemodialysis  

• Benefits and Challenges of Self-care Models  

8:30 From Dependence to Independence: Strategies for Patient Empowerment and Training 

Cheryl Cress, RN, CNN 

• Dialysis Nurse and Educator’s Perspective on Patient Selection, Empowerment, and Training for Self-care Hemodialysis 

• Practical Strategies for Promoting Patient Self-sufficiency 

9:00 Panel Discussion with Case Studies  

1. M.Camila Bermudez, MD; Cheryl Cress, RN, CNN;Lisa Koester Wiedemann, APN 

9:30 Real-life Case Studies and Best Practices for Implementing Self-care Models in Clinical Practice 

 

 

10:00-10:30 Break 

 

Closing Plenary Session 33: Empowering the Patient’s Journey: From Stories to Action 

10:30 am-12:00 pm   

Don’t miss this transformative closing session combining patient narratives with practical tools for 

patient empowerment, navigating healthcare systems, and fostering true partnerships in care. 

Moderator: Anjay Rastogi, MD, PhD 

10:30 Living the Journey – Dr. Sonu Bhargava  

10:50 Breaking Down Barriers: Navigating Health Care Systems – Insurance, Financial Advocacy, and Resource Navigation -Laurie Hines   

11:10 Partnership in Care: Patient Empowerment and Shared Decision-making- Thao Truong Pascual, MD, FASN  

11:30 Panel discussion – M. Camila Bermudez, MD; Disha Yadav; Dr. Sonu Bhargava; Thao Truong Pascual, MD, FASN; Laurie Hines 

11:40 Q&A  

 

Closing Remarks: Ramesh Khanna, MD, Anjay Rastogi, MD, PhD; Preethi Yerram, MD, FASN 

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