The KHEP Program

Over the academic year of 2020-2021, I was given the opportunity to direct the Kidney Health Program focused on teaching high schoolers in Southern California about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and the process of dialysis. Although I was originally picked to serve as the Outreach Committee Director for Friends of Dialysis to reach out to UCR students and bring awareness to our cause and club, I decided to bring up the idea of reaching out to high schools as well to bring more awareness to our cause and CKD itself.

This yearly program is divided into 3 phases. The first phase entails students learning about the basics of Chronic Kidney disease along with the further mechanics of the disease which is worked into a unique case study wherein students apply critical thinking skills to treat a hypothetical patient. The second phase includes guest speakers from the UCR School of Medicine and Dialysis clinics to teach students about the connection between Health Disparities and CKD along with a CKD panel where students can directly ask questions about how living with CKD or how undergoing the process of dialysis affects one’s lifestyle.

The ultimate goal of the Kidney Health Program is to promote education and stop misinformation about Chronic Kidney Disease. One of the most common misconceptions being that the disease only occurs in the elderly, when in fact it can occur to anyone at any age. Aside from promoting education about CKD we also encourage students to obtain certification from the American Kidney Fund in order to volunteer at their local dialysis center and further support the cause of Friends of Dialysis, to be a constant ally to those with Chronic Kidney Disease and those who are undergoing dialysis. 

- Navkirn Saini KHEP Director