Dr. Rita Suri celebrates World Kidney Day on March 9 as a member of the Executive Committee of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)
Dr. Rita Suri, a scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI‑MUHC), is one of five new members worldwide elected to the Executive Committee of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) in 2023. She is an associate professor, holder of the Catherine McLaughlin Hakim Chair in Medicine, and Director of the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University. Her clinical practice is based at the McGill University Health Centre.
KDIGO is a global organization developing and implementing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in kidney disease. It is an independent, volunteer-led, self-managed foundation incorporated in Belgium. Dr. Suri is one of twenty kidney disease experts from around the world nominated to the foundation’s governing body, which sets its policies and priorities.
KDIGO’s Nominating Committee elects members of the Executive Committee following a formal process of seeking suggestions from the global kidney community. The 2023 Executive Committee maintains its composition of members from each continent and an equal balance between women and men.
In addition to Dr. Suri, representing Canada, the four other new members who began a three-year term in January 2023 are:
- Sunita Bavanandan (Malaysia)
- Michelle Denberg (United States)
- Michelle O’Shaughnessy (Ireland)
- Patrick Rossignol (Monaco)
Two great ways to mark World Kidney Day
“I am most honoured to have been selected to serve on the KDIGO Executive Committee,” says Dr. Suri. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to passionately continue our quest to help improve the lives of people afflicted with kidney disease everywhere.” To mark World Kidney Day, her top suggestions are to get a blood pressure check and sign a donation card. As she explains, “Did you know that treating high blood pressure is one of the best ways to prevent kidney disease? This World Kidney Day, get your blood pressure checked! Also, please think about signing your organ donation card for the thousands of patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant.”
Dr. Suri is a member of the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program at the RI-MUHC and conducts research at the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. Her research focuses on improving health outcomes and quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney failure who receive hemodialysis.
Learn more about KDIGO
Learn more about the 2023 World Kidney Day campaign
Read the 2023 World Kidney Day Scientific Editorial