Congressman Jim McDermott to receive Northwest Kidney Centers’ highest honor

Congressman McDermott

Northwest Kidney Centers is pleased to present the 2015 Clyde Shields Distinguished Service Award to U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Kidney Caucus.

The award will be presented Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at Northwest Kidney Centers Seattle dialysis clinic at 548 15th Avenue. A reception is scheduled from 1 to 3pm, with the ceremony at 1:30pm. The public is welcome for the ceremony, light refreshments and tours of the home dialysis training and support area.

Northwest Kidney Centers presents the award – its highest recognition – to a person who makes significant contributions to the welfare of kidney patients through advocacy, clinical care or research.

“There is no more long-term, vocal, loyal and patient-centered Congressional supporter of kidney patients than Rep. McDermott,” said Joyce F. Jackson, Northwest Kidney Centers president and CEO.

In 2002, McDermott co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Kidney Caucus, and he continues to co-chair it. The caucus aims to educate members of Congress and the public about the problem kidney disease poses for society and the federal government’s role in providing access to life-sustaining treatment.

He has authored many letters of support to Congressional colleagues, co-sponsored kidney legislation, and reached out to Medicare, the Food and Drug Administration and others to advocate for programs that support patients, especially those on home dialysis. 

He has visited Northwest Kidney Centers facilities multiple times and he has spoken often to kidney patient groups in Seattle. 

A psychiatrist, McDermott trained with and became a friend of Dr. Belding Scribner in the early days of dialysis. Scribner invented a device to make long-term dialysis possible, and Clyde Shields, namesake for the award, was the first patient to use it.

McDermott serves as senior member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, ranking member of its subcommittee on health, and senior member of the House Budget Committee. In his 12th term, his seniority enables him to play an influential role in a wide range of issues, including Medicare.

He provided crucial early support for the Kidney Health Initiative and frequently serves as host of congressional briefings on kidney disease research. He has supported home dialysis patients by encouraging the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to update training payments for home dialysis. He requested a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the key factors that affect home dialysis use.

U.S. Rep. McDermott represents the 7th Congressional District which includes much of Seattle and all of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.