Carolina Nephrology and Columbia Nephrology Announce Formation of Carolina Kidney Alliance
January 20, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Carolina Nephrology PA and Columbia Nephrology PA announce the formation of The Carolina Kidney Alliance, a care alliance between the two largest Nephrology practices in South Carolina. This groundbreaking alliance will drive excellence in the care of chronic kidney disease (CKD) throughout the state.
One in eight South Carolinians have kidney disease and South Carolina is fifth in the nation per capita in the number of patients on dialysis. Individually, these two practices provide the highest caliber chronic kidney disease care to patients and have been leaders in their individual markets. Together, Carolina Nephrology and Columbia Nephrology care for up to 40% of the state’s dialysis and CKD population and as such felt that that they are uniquely positioned to work together to further improve the level and diversity of CKD services afforded to their patients. Through this alliance, they also hope to strengthen their relationships with their hospital partners in all of the markets they serve.
Working in an ever-changing medical climate, this alliance will focus on patient centered, cost driven objectives that align with the hospitals in each community. The alliance will track and hold themselves accountable for patient outcomes and raise the bar of patient care.
The Southeast lags the nation in kidney transplant rates and therefore one of the first goals of the alliance will be to break through the barriers that have caused our region to fall behind, enabling South Carolina to become a national leader in the kidney transplant field.
The alliance will also focus on an efficient transition for individuals to dialysis by emphasizing patient centered pre-dialysis education. The alliance will also develop and implement new strategies to overcome socioeconomic barriers that are often the main limiting factor in patients’ access to care.
“We are excited to partner with Columbia Nephrology and form the Carolina Kidney Alliance,” said Dr. Istvan Bognar, a physician at Carolina Nephrology. “South Carolina has one of the highest rates of chronic kidney disease in the nation and teaming up with Columbia Nephrology will enable us to expand our reach and deliver high quality kidney care to patients across the state.”
“The Carolina Kidney Alliance represents an exciting development in kidney related care for patients in South Carolina,” said Dr. Brent Shealy of Columbia Nephrology. “We look forward to working together to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.”
About Carolina Nephrology
Carolina Nephrology specializes in the treatment of kidney disease and hypertension as well as interventional nephrology. The physicians of Carolina Nephrology are committed to delivering quality kidney care by utilizing the best clinical data, education and technology available. Carolina Nephrology is located in six areas throughout the Upstate, with the main office in Greenville at 203 Mills Ave and satellites in Easley, Simpsonville, Laurens, Greer and in 2015, Spartanburg. The practice’s 11 nephrologists are all board certified in Nephrology. For more information on Carolina Nephrology or its physicians, please visit www.carolinanephrology.com.
About Columbia Nephrology
Columbia Nephrology Associates, P.A. was formed by Dr. Walter G. Edwards and Dr. U. X Cullum in 1980 and is centrally located in Columbia. Columbia Nephrology is the largest Nephrology practice in South Carolina and now specializes in all aspects of kidney disease management including Chronic Kidney Disease care, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, post-transplant care and interventional nephrology.The practice’s 16 physicians are certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology. The first outpatient hemodialysis clinic in Columbia was opened in 1975. Since that time the number of clinics has grown to 14. The practice has dialysis clinics in the Columbia area as well as Camden, Lugoff, Elgin, Batesburg, Newberry and Winnsboro. For more information on Columbia Nephrology or its physicians, please visit www.columbianephrology.com .
