The Renal Research Institute

04/28/2026

As medication management grows more complex across chronic diseases, pharmacists are increasingly asked to do more, often without systems that truly scale.

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗠𝗦𝗰, 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗖, 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗠 of Mass General Brigham explored how team-based care models and AI-enabled tools can help relieve the pharmacist bottleneck while improving patient outcomes.

In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙠: 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘼𝙄 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥, the session highlights how pharmacists, supported by evidence-based algorithms and AI, can work at the top of their license and deliver durable, equitable care at scale.

This is about using technology to support care teams, not replace them, while keeping patients at the center.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZGjs-nDUjPo

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Alexander J. Blood, MD, MSc, FACC, ABOM, of Mass General Brigham, presented The Pharmacis...

04/23/2026

Clinical workflows are fragmented, time-consuming, and increasingly unsustainable.

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, Laurence Coman, COO and Co-Founder of AvoMD, shared how smart clinical decision support tools can streamline care without pulling clinicians out of their workflow.

In 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨, the session explores how embedding AI-enabled decision support directly into the EHR helps clinicians consolidate data, apply complex guidelines in real time, and reduce documentation burden. The discussion also highlights real-world collaboration with Fresenius, where digitized clinical algorithms are supporting dietitians, improving consistency, and delivering measurable efficiency gains at scale.

This is about building tools by clinicians, for clinicians, so technology actually works the way care teams do.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2gs_OLUlEXA

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Laurence Coman, COO and Co-Founder of AvoMD, presented Streamlining with Smart Tools.In t...

04/23/2026

Len Usvyat, PhD, FASN, of RRI will be speaking tomorrow at the Philippine Society of Nephrology’s Annual Convention as part of the EMERALD program, Empowering Renal Care in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Learning Diversity.

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

He will return on April 24 for a second plenary𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙐𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙄 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩.

We are proud to have Len representing RRI in this important international dialogue on the future of AI in nephrology.

04/22/2026

Hanjie Zhang of RRI is speaking tomorrow morning at the AI in Nephrology Conference at UC San Diego School of Medicine. She is scheduled to present on April 23 during Session 1: AI Applications in Nephrology/Critical Care.

Her talk, 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍-𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑨𝑰 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔, will focus on practical examples of AI in dialysis and the outcomes these applications can help inform.

We’re proud to have Hanjie contributing to this important discussion on innovation in kidney care.

04/21/2026

Clinical care has always been a team sport.

At the Renal Research Institute (RRI)’s most recent symposium in Houston, 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝘆, 𝗠𝗗, Senior Physician Executive and Clinical Innovation Lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS), explored how technology and AI are transforming point-of-care decision support for clinicians.

In 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙄 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚, the session traces the evolution of clinical decision support from pocket manuals to intelligent, integrated tools that bring actionable insights directly into the workflow. By connecting clinical, operational, and patient-centered data, AI can help care teams spend less time navigating systems and more time in meaningful, face-to-face interactions with patients.

This is about using technology to extend the reach of care teams, support every role involved in care delivery, and improve access for patients and communities.

🎥 Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lzTTz2qgX6I

At the Renal Research Institute’s most recent symposium in Houston, Angela A. Shippy, MD, MHA, FACP, FHM, Senior Physician Executive and Clinical Innovation ...

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...