Importance and Benefits of Becoming an ASPN Member

The American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) primary goal is to promote optimal care for children with kidney disease. This is made possible through advocacy, education and research, coupled with dissemination of advances in both clinical and basic science The ASPN urges all Pediatric Nephrologists, affiliate health care professionals, and basic scientists interested in children with kidney disease to join. Membership in the ASPN offers all of the following advantages:

• Education:
  • Annual PAS meeting:
    • ASPN Meeting is the place to interact with like-minded people doing what they love to do
    • Members of ASPN receive discounted rate for participation in the annual PAS meeting
    • Involvement in ASPN meeting program development including participation in the development of workshops and symposia
  • Preparation for maintenance of certification for established pediatric nephrologists (access only to members)
  • Future plans to develop Educational Board Review course to keep up with requirements for maintenance of certification
  • Future plans to involve affiliate members (Renal Pathologists, Dieticians, Social Workers, Renal Nurses, Basic Scientists) to join and develop additional educational programs
• Research:
  • Ability to find research collaborators via registry of ASPN member research interests
  • Potential identification as a site investigator in multicenter studies
• Career promotion:
  • Access to online job listings in nephrology via the website
  • Discounted rate for participation in the annual PAS meeting
• Role of ASPN in legislative activity:
  • Advocating for and promoting biomedical research funding for pediatric kidney disease
  • Protection of the interests of pediatric patients as the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) is implemented
  • Healthcare Reform - both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement
  • Advocating for congressional legislation to provide life time immunosuppressive drug coverage for kidney transplant recipients
  • Maintenance of pediatric specific dialysis billing codes and advocacy for a permanent Medicare physician pay fix
• Involvement of Fellows in ASPN:
  • The Pediatric Fellows in Nephrology Association (pFeNA) is an informal group created for current and prospective fellows, to foster their networking and to enhance fellowship recruitment