The UNC Kidney Center's (UNCKC) mission is to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease in North Carolina through discovery about the pathophysiology and therapeutics of kidney disease and through the development and assessment of educational programs about kidney disease for North Carolinians and their primary care physicians.
Educating the Population of North Carolina
- Disseminate prevention information to at-risk populations through sustained community-based activities
- Collaborate with community leaders and health care professionals to assess citizens' and primary care physicians' understanding of risk factors for kidney disease
- Communicate repeatedly through churches, civic clubs, hair salons and barber shops the importance of early detection of kidney disease
- Promote the UNCKC message with billboards and public service announcements, the UNKC web site and community-based information sessions
- Assess the effectiveness of the KEOP activities to determine the educational strategies that result in earlier detection of citizens with decreased kidney function and in improved health care of those citizens
- Empower at-risk citizens to ask their physicians "Hey doc, how are my kidneys?"
Research: Discovering a Cure
- The UNCKC performs the highest level of basic science and clinical research.
- The Center has an interdisciplinary team comprising physicians, pharmacists, physiologists, epidemiologists, social workers, and educators, collaborates on discoveries that inform the management and treatment of kidney disease as well as the development of educational outreach programs for patients and primary care physicians.
- Epidemiologic and clinical research in such areas as the relationship between smoking and kidney function, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), ANCA, and vasculitis is funded through private donors and corporate grants, and foundations.
The UNCKC has identified five key investment opportunities that will accelerate progress:
- Infrastructure to Foster Outreach and Discovery ($2 million)
In order for the UNC Kidney Center to fulfill its mission of outreach and discovery there needs to be a flexible funding source of support. - Funds to Drive our Discovery Mission ($3 million)
The UNC Kidney Center is committed to discovering the causes and best treatments for kidney disease. While we have been successful in our efforts to secure external grant funding, we need to create opportunities to support additional basic science research through seed grants and supplemental research funds. - Endowments to attract and retain outstanding faculty ($4 million)
Endowments are permanent legacies that provide for donor recognition as well as vital support in perpetuity for faculty, students and programs. The principal of your endowment gift is invested by The Medical Foundation of North Carolina, a non-profit entity supervised by a group of investment professionals. - Training to Develop the Next Generation ($2 million)
The UNC Kidney Center is committed to developing the next generation of top notch doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows through stipend and merit award programs. - Faculty Development Funds ($200,000)
To provide support to develop courses, strengthen teaching and engage in research and other professional activities.