Dr. Barry Smith, President of the Dreyfus Health Policy and Research Center based in New York, has been honored with the 2024 Medal of Excellence Award by The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). The AAKP, the oldest and most expansive kidney patient advocacy group in the nation, announced this recognition during the Renal Physicians Association’s (RPA) 50th Anniversary Meeting held in Baltimore, Maryland.
The RPA, a powerful ally of the AAKP, is focused on upholding the premier standards of medical practice for patients with kidney disease and related disorders. The collaboration between AAKP and RPA has birthed many national health and policy initiatives, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition, as well as strategies to increase competitive pay and reimbursement for nephrologists’ unique, lifesaving services under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) program.
Dr. Smith’s illustrious career spans academia, government, and clinical care management, demonstrating robust efforts in expanding patient engagement in infection prevention and medical innovation. He has held significant positions including Deputy Chief of Surgical Neurology at the National Institutes of Health, President and CEO of the Rogosin Institute, and Director of the Dreyfus Health Foundation.
Currently leading the non-profit Dreyfus Health Policy and Research Center, Dr. Smith is dedicated to advancing health and wellness with particular attention to community engagement, including nearby neighborhoods of East New York City. His wide-ranging contributions to the medical field are evidenced by his active involvement as a member of AAKP’s National Board of Directors and as a stakeholder in the CDC’s Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition. Dr. Smith is highlighted for his focus on disease prevention through improved safety measures and better community education on food choices, nutrition, and infection prevention.
The Medal of Excellence Award distinguishes local, national, and international experts who uphold the principles of patient care choice, integrity of the patient/doctor relationship, and rapid development and patient access to innovative kidney care, prevention and treatment measures.
Presenting this prestigious award to Dr. Smith, AAKP’s Vice President, Ms. Jennifer Jones honored him as a devoted advocate for patients’ dignity and life. AAKP is currently spearheading a nationwide campaign to insist on elevated safety measures for dialysis treatments, including the use of newly FDA-approved drugs aimed at reducing patient burdens such as bloodstream infections. Dr. Smith’s career achievements embody the notion of high-quality kidney care as defined by AAKP, namely patient choice of, and access to, medical care, and innovations that best enable patients to pursue their personal aspirations.