The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California and Northen Nevada's (NKF's) MAB plays a crucial role in shaping its services to professionals, patients and community and legislative leaders. A list of committees and their functions is provided below. It is not required that MAB members participate on a committee. However, if any of our committees interest you, we'd love to have you on our team.
Physician Outreach Committee
This committee aims to expand the MAB and to educate and provide forums for physicians from various fields, including nephrology, endocrinology, urology, internal medicine, family practice and other appropriate physician groups about CKD, GFR, links between hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease.
CME Programs Committee (Physicians only)
This committee oversees and makes recommendations for all CME programs of the Foundation. Members also identify areas of need, establish topics to address those needs, provide objectives for topics, identify and secure speakers, and make recommendations for possible sponsors. The committee chairperson and/or committee members will be in occasional contact with the Institute of Medical Quality regarding CME accreditation. Physicians from all areas of our region are encouraged to become part of this committee.
Scientific Review Committee
This committee is responsible for promoting the Foundation's Research Fellowship program, helping staff and volunteers raise funds for the program, and reviewing fellow applications each year for grant funds. Grants are provided on a yearly basis at $50,000 per year, per fellow, and total grants awarded depends on available funds. The committee also oversees the Young Investigators Forum, an annual event at which research fellows from UCSF, Stanford, and UC Davis present their original research.
Allied Health Professional Programs Committee
This committee helps to develop content for the NKF website; and develop and organize programs, symposia and meetings for the public and professional groups, such as dietitians, social workers and nurses. The committee works closely with professional councils such as CRN, CNSW and ANNA. The committee also oversees the NKF Patient Assistance and Patient Educational Scholarship programs.
Champions of Hope Medical Professional Award Selection Committee
This committee participates in identifying and evaluating nominees for the annual Champions of Hope Medical Professional Award; it also makes recommendations of awardees to the full MAB group for approval. Additional honorees are selected by the Champions of Hope Event Committee.
Medical Symposium
This committee helps to organize the Foundation's Annual Medical Symposia held each year in the Bay Area, including choosing topics, and identifying and securing presenters. The 2008 Medical Symposium will take place in February in San Francisco and Santa Clara.
For more information, contact Robert Griffin, robert.griffin@kidney.org, 415-543-3303 x 108, 415-543-3331 (fax), 131 Steuart Street, Ste. 520, San Francisco, CA 94105.
