The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is one of the world’s most prestigious societies, providing educational information and encouraging to eliminate kidney disease. ISN was created in 1960 by Professor Jean Hamburger at the end of the 1st International Congress of Nephrology, united researcher-scientists and students interested in the examination of renal function, pathology, and treatment. Conveniently, ISN has expanded beyond being just a scientific community and developed into a philanthropic global organization that fosters tens of thousands of staff members in healthcare.
Mission and Values
ISN is tasked with the global promotion of kidney disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, particularly in developing countries. These activities range from increasing awareness about the disease, promoting relations among renal professionals, encouraging nephrology research, and offering education about the disease that ends up decreasing cases of kidney disease and its health effects. ISN also respects such aspects of its work as scientific evidence, cultural reliability, neutrality, and humanitarianism in all programs and in cooperation with the partners.
Contact Information
Address: Americas Operations Center, 340 North Ave, 3rd Floor, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA
Phone: +1 567 248 9703
Key Services and Programs
- Research and Education: ISN supports nephrologists and scientists through training, grants, and fellowships. Educational programs include the Fellowship Program and Travel Grants, which enable global access to nephrology resources.
- Global Outreach (GO) Programs: These initiatives, launched in the mid-1990s, aim to address the unmet needs in less economically developed regions. Through the GO Programs, ISN brings nephrology education and patient care to underserved areas.
- Publications and Events: ISN organizes biennial World Congresses of Nephrology and publishes research through its journal, Kidney International, which connects a global community in renal science.
Awards and Honors
ISN presents various awards recognizing achievements in nephrology:
- Claude Amiel and Donald W. Seldin Lectures: Presented at World Congresses, these lectures honor impactful contributions to nephrology.
- Alfred Newton Richards Award: Acknowledges excellence in nephrology research.
- Jean Hamburger Award: Recognizes clinical research advances.
- Roscoe R. Robinson Award: This award was given for educational achievements in nephrology. Additionally, grants like the Amgen International Prize and Lillian Jean Kaplan Prize encourage research that advances treatment of kidney diseases, particularly focusing on innovations and understanding of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
Diversity and Inclusivity
ISN has adopted the culture of diversity in its membership and its undertakings because, the more diversified an organization, the better placement it offers to nephrology in the world. These approaches are underlined by the position statement on diversity, which states that the membership of ISN reflects various geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Expansion and Evolution
Over the years, the ISN has added coverage of developing countries to its mission, developed programs for young nephrologists and created committees such as the Young Nephrologists Committee. As a philanthropic organization and through collaborations with their partners in countries across the globe, ISN has blended scientific efficiency and humanism.