NIDDK director to receive Outstanding Achievement Award from NKF

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will honor Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for his commitment to bettering the lives of patients and raising awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Rodgers at the 33rd Annual National Kidney Foundation Kidney Ball, on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

"The NKF is pleased to present this award to Dr. Griffin Rodgers for being a leader in his field and advancing the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease in the United States," said Pamela Gatz, Division President for the National Kidney Foundation in Washington, DC. “His tireless work has not only advanced medical knowledge, but has saved countless lives.”

As the Director of NIDDK, Dr. Rodgers provides scientific leadership and manages a staff of over 600 employees and a budget of $2 billion. Since becoming the director of the NIDDK, he has led the way in combating diabetes and kidney disease in the United States. He oversees the National Kidney Disease Education Program, which better informs patients, caretakers and professionals on the early detection and management of kidney disease. He has also reached out to those most at risk with his “Healthy Moments” broadcast commentaries on Radio One that have focused on kidney disease and its associated risk factors.

Dr. Rodgers is already widely recognized for his contributions to the development of the first effective therapy for sickle cell anemia. He has been honored for his research with numerous awards including the 1998 Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award, the 2000 Arthur S. Flemming Award, the Legacy of Leadership Award in 2002 and a Mastership from the American College of Physicians in 2005.

The Kidney Ball is one of the largest National Kidney Foundation events in the nation. The 2013 Kidney Ball will feature entertainment by The Commodores, and will host more than 700 of the Washington area's business, government, and community leaders, as well as kidney patients and their families. Guests enjoy cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, dancing, and entertainment. The 2012 Kidney Ball featured entertainment by Don Felder, former lead guitarist of The Eagles, and raised over $800,000.