@rpanephrology leaders strategizing about RPA’s Capitol Hill Day tomorrow. Over drinks.

The RPA leadership brain trust, plus me, with Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) at the RPA PAC Reception as part of our Annual Meeting.

Just got done introducing the speakers at the RPA Coding and Billing Seminar, one of the critically important activities that RPA performs. #RPA2025

The RPA Board of Directors doing what it does best, having a great time.

Hail, HTTC, all of it! Sorry for my friends in Detroit (sincerely, no snark) but you don’t know what’s going to happen until you play the game.

Holiday baked manicotti. Yes, please.

Early holiday gift from one Dr. Robert Kossmann, a kidney cowboy baseball hat, look closely at the second pic, the cowboy is in fact a kidney. Great stuff, Rob’s the man. #Nephsky

Turkey carcass gumbo. This worked.

It was a privilege and a pleasure to discuss nephrology workforce issues at the AAKP Public Policy Summit in DC today. In short, we have to pay health professionals more, reduce administrative burdens, address lifestyle concerns, and make nephrology more attractive to medical students.

I was fortunate to connect with Rep. Elect Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) who will be representing Maryland’s Third Congressional District. She previously was our state senator in Maryland and someone my wife (also Sarah) has been allied with for years on the local political scene. Good luck Rep. Elfreth!

Here is rebeccajschmidt.bsky.social giving testimony at the AMA House of Delegates last weekend. She led a successful effort to pass a resolution calling for AMA advocacy for coverage of transportation services for regularly scheduled dialysis care.

In the dog-pic-on-social-media department, this is Chelsea, our 17yo rat terrier-shih tzu mix comfy in her bed wondering why I’m taking her photo.