The Renal Research Institute

04/16/2026

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, a panel discussion continued the dialogue on how technology and AI intersect with everyday clinical practice.

In 𝙌&𝘼 – 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙄 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚: 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 1, panelists 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘇, BSN, MSN, RN, Head of Nursing, Quality & OHS at Fresenius Medical Care Spain; 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲, PhD, RN, Director of the Scientific Core in the Department of Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital; and 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, PhD, LMSW, Vice President of Social Work at Fresenius Medical Care U.S., responded to audience questions on innovation, data use, and frontline adoption.

Moderated by 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗶, PhD, Global Lead for Operational AI and generative AI at the Renal Research Institute, the discussion emphasized clinician judgment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and thoughtful approaches to applying AI in real-world care settings.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JTFZXM6zaeE

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, this panel discussion brought together clinical leaders from nursing, nutrition, and soci...

04/16/2026

We’re one week away from the AI in Nephrology Conference at UC San Diego School of Medicine, taking place April 23–24.

RRI’s Hanjie Zhang, Sr. Director of Artificial Intelligence Translational Innovation Hub, is scheduled to speak on April 23 during Session 1: AI Applications in Nephrology/Critical Care.

Her session, 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍-𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑨𝑰 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔, will highlight how AI is being applied in real-world dialysis settings and the outcomes these approaches can help support.

We’re proud to see Hanjie representing RRI in this important conversation on the future of AI in kidney care.

04/15/2026

One week to go until the Philippine Society of Nephrology’s Annual Convention, where leaders across kidney care will come together to explore the future of the field through the lens of innovation, research, and artificial intelligence.

RRI’s Len Usvyat, PhD, FASN, will speak during the meeting’s EMERALD program, 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘳𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺.

On April 23, he will present the plenary 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮: 𝘼𝙣 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

On April 24, he will also deliver the plenary 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙐𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙄 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩.

We are proud to see Len representing RRI and contributing to the global conversation around how AI can help advance kidney care.

04/14/2026

Innovation does not start with technology. It starts with the people closest to patients.

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘇, 𝗕𝗦𝗡, 𝗠𝗦𝗡, 𝗥𝗡, Head of Nursing, Quality & OHS at Fresenius Medical Care Spain, challenged the idea that innovation belongs only to technologists or executives.

In 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧, Adrian shares how nurses are uniquely positioned to identify real problems, design practical solutions, and create meaningful improvements in care. From clinician-led hackathons to workflow innovations developed directly in dialysis clinics, the session highlights how innovation becomes sustainable when leaders create space, time, and support for frontline teams.

This is a reminder that innovation is not about invention alone. It is about mindset, leadership, and creating value for patients and care teams.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R15ep5wI_EA

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Adrian Gomez, BSN, MSN, RN, Head of Nursing, Quality & OHS at Fresenius Medical Care Spai...

04/09/2026

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲, PhD, RN, Director of the Scientific Core in the Department of Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital, shared a perspective on precision nutrition and the tools needed to support it.

In 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙉𝙪𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 & 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨, the session examines how emerging approaches such as metabolomics, structured nutrition documentation, and natural language processing may help clinicians better interpret dietary patterns and reduce the time required to review unstructured notes.

The discussion focuses on current challenges in nutrition documentation, opportunities for improving efficiency, and future considerations for integrating nutrition insights into multidisciplinary care planning.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mxCVzWvdUgU

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Linda Moore, PhD, RN, Director of the Scientific Core, Department of Surgery at Houston M...

04/07/2026

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, PhD, LMSW, Vice President of Social Work at Fresenius Medical Care, shared a social work perspective on the evolving role of technology and AI in patient care.

In 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙄: 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙎𝙒𝙨, the session explores how data, analytics, and emerging tools can support medical social workers in understanding patient needs, prioritizing care, and managing complex caseloads, while preserving the human connection central to social work practice.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of using technology to support, not replace, professional judgment, empathy, and critical thinking.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AV-gSXHq5sE

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Felicia Speed, PhD, LMSW, Vice President of Social Work at Fresenius Medical Care, presen...

04/02/2026

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, a panel discussion explored how diverse clinical roles contribute to research, innovation, and patient care in kidney health.

In 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙛𝙛 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮𝙨: 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨, panelists 𝗝𝗼𝗮̃𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼, RN, Director of Nursing and Quality at Fresenius Medical Care Portugal; 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘀, PhD, RN, Associate Chief of Nephrology Research & Data Analytics at Virginia Commonwealth University; and 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘇, Certified Hemodialysis Technician at Fresenius Medical Care U.S., shared perspectives shaped by their professional and personal experiences.

Moderated by 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗘𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗺𝘆, MD, FASN, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, the discussion examined topics including social determinants of health, frontline-led quality improvement, data and analytics, and the role of AI in supporting, not replacing, clinical judgment.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5JjTBrd_4_s

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, this panel discussion brought together clinicians and researchers from different backgrou...

04/01/2026

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Research, education, and informed decision-making help expand access to transplantation and improve long-term outcomes. Together, we can support a future where more lives are saved through donation.

03/31/2026

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, a panel discussion brought together perspectives from professional societies and academia to explore how clinicians can be more effectively engaged in research and innovation.

In 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙖: 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙛𝙛, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵, RN, National President of the American Nephrology Nurses Association, and 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗲, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor at Purdue University, shared insights on barriers and opportunities for clinician involvement in research and digital innovation.

Moderated by 𝗟𝗲𝗻 𝗨𝘀𝘃𝘆𝗮𝘁, PhD, Head of the Renal Research Institute, the discussion examined topics such as time constraints, exposure to research during training, AI literacy, and the importance of clear guidance and transparency when using emerging technologies in clinical and academic settings.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3kejB2SEuDQ

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, this panel discussion brought together leaders from professional societies and academia t...

03/30/2026

Today we recognize and thank physicians for their dedication, expertise, and commitment to advancing patient care.

From clinical practice to research and innovation, doctors play a critical role in translating science into better outcomes for patients worldwide. We are grateful for your leadership, curiosity, and compassion.

03/29/2026

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗶, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, Clinical Data Analytics Engineering & Stewardship Lead at RRI.

Meet her at 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 #𝗣𝟯𝟭𝟲 – 𝘈 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦: 𝘈𝘗𝘖𝘓𝘓𝘖𝘋𝘐𝘈𝘓𝘋𝘉 2.0

03/28/2026

As we continue our coverage of RRI at , we want to congratulate our colleagues as they present their Abstracts at WCN; if you are in the area during the conference, please stop in the exhibit hall tomorrow.

🔹𝗬𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝗶𝗮𝗼 | 𝘈 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦: 𝘈𝘗𝘖𝘓𝘓𝘖𝘋𝘐𝘈𝘓𝘋𝘉 2.0

🔹𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗶𝗻 | 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯 𝘋𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴

🔹𝗠𝗲𝗶 𝗭𝗵𝗼𝘂 | 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘹 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯