2026 Conference Schedule

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm    Board of Directors Meeting

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm    Welcome Reception



8:00 am - 9:00 am    Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:10 am    Welcome from CKCA President, Maria Garcia

9:10 am - 10:15 am  Opening Keynote - From the Chair to the Care Team: Using Lived Patient Experience to Improve Engagement,                                       Outcomes, and Purpose in Dialysis Care. Speaker: Cameron Lillie-Liberto

                                  This session brings a unique dual perspective, both as a lifelong dialysis patient and a former dialysis technician                                                                   and educator, to bridge the gap between clinical care and the lived patient experience.

                                       Through personal storytelling and real-world insight, this presentation explores what dialysis feels like beyond the numbers: the                                           emotional weight, the search for purpose, and the moments that shape a patient’s willingness to engage in their care. Attendees                                         will gain a deeper understanding of how communication, empathy, and small shifts in approach can significantly impact patient                                             outcomes, adherence, and overall well-being.

                                       This session will also provide practical, actionable ways healthcare professionals can better connect with patients, foster trust,                                             and support a more purpose-driven mindset, ultimately improving both patient experience and clinical results.

10:15 am - 10:45 am  Break

10:45 am - 11:45 am  GLP-1 RAs, Weight Loss & CKD: Maintaining Muscle Mass and Nutritional Status                                                                                     Speaker: Annmarie Duggan MS, RD, LDN                                

                                         This presentation will provide an overview of the use of GLP-1 RAs for CKD/ESKD patients with a focus on maintaining                                                       adequate nutritional status, muscle mass, muscle strength and function during weight loss. Additional content will include                                                     practical dietary guidelines for the management of GLP-1 RA related gastrointestinal symptoms, achieving optimal protein
                                         intake and specific nutrients of concern.

11:45 am - 12:45 pm  Beyond Compliance: Building Reliable Systems for Survey Success. Speakers: Curt Anliker, Allison Brown                                           
                                   This presentation will provide a focused, operationally grounded approach to survey readiness, anchored in an analysis of the                                              NDAC Top 10 most frequently cited deficiencies. Attendees will gain insight into the typical citation patterns observed under                                                  these tags, including gaps in infection control practices, incomplete or inconsistent documentation, breakdowns in equipment                                              maintenance processes, lapses in water quality monitoring, vascular access visibility and care concerns, and deficiencies in                                                QAPI integration and follow-through. 

12:45 pm - 2:00 pm   Lunch

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm     Ethics and Life Planning: Finding Hope and Inspiration with our Patients and Families. Speaker: Anne Pugh                                            Life Goal Planning will be examined as the foundation of Care Planning with discussion of why social workers are uniquely                                                   positioned to help dialysis patients and families thrive within a system that seems to run counter to what patients may want,                                                 value, and are able to achieve. Examples of Life Plans and ethical issues will be explored for use in practice.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm     Legislative Update. Speaker: Kristi Foy                                           

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm     Snack Break with the Exhibitors

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm     Industry Panel. Moderator: Gopa Green, MD, FASN 

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm     Reception