Ronald J. Falk, MD, FASN started his term as president of the American Society of Nephrology at its recent annual meeting, Kidney Week.

"Now is an especially exciting time to be working in nephrology because of the rapid pace of change, because kidney professionals are at the forefront of many recent health care changes, and because of the exciting opportunities scientists and clinicians in kidney medicine have to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of patients,” he said.

Falk, who is chief of the University of North Carolina Medical School’s Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and Director of the UNC Kidney Center, has published numerous articles and reviews on kidney disease caused by problems with a person’s immune system. A central objective of his research is to better understand the causes of glomerulonephritis, an autoimmune kidney disease.

Falk has been recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in America” every year since 1992. He has also played key leadership roles in various ASN programs and committees, notably as Chair of the ASN Education Committee and a member of ASN Council for the last six years.
ASN’s mission is to educate health professionals, share new knowledge, advance research, and advocate the highest quality care for patients. The society, which currently has more than 13,000 members, has been devoted to these goals since 1966.