Letter from the President

This step, which
centralizes critical administrative functions, represents a significant organizational
change. A change that will lead to the increased efficiency and effectiveness of our
operations, allowing the ISN to better fulfill its mission to enhance nephrology
worldwide.

Until now we have had several offices around the world. These have been set up within
the professional premises of our key Officers, to provide administrative support to their
functions, such as membership administration, finances, general operations or oversight of
various programs.

Whilst this structure has served the ISN well in its development, the increased scope
of our programs, the complexity of our worldwide activities, the encouraging growth in
global membership and the opportunities facing our Society have made a central and
permanent management office essential.

The Executive Committee therefore set about identifying ways to streamline the
operations of the Society to position ISN for its next phase of development.

We carefully reviewed various options and ultimately decided that –rather than have
the expense and worry of establishing our own stand-alone central office– taking
advantage of the services of a professional association management company would be the
best course of action. This provides us with a fully operational infrastructure and the
expertise of experienced and specialized association staff on a totally flexible and
cost-effective basis.

As of April 1, the ISN will therefore have a new professional team, based in Brussels,
which comprises association professionals, experienced congress organizers, specialized
membership administrators, accountants, and technology and communications specialists.

I am also delighted to introduce Mr. Thomas Reiser as the new Executive Director of the
ISN who will lead the ISN team and provide strategic advice to the leadership of our
Society.

Mr. Reiser, an Austrian national, has in-depth experience of managing professional
medical societies both in Europe and the United States. He combines a strong business
background with a unique sensitivity for the specific needs of a global organization like
the ISN.

Tom and the team in Brussels will be responsible for managing the business affairs and
day-to-day operations of our Society, providing the Executive Officers with a framework to
focus on visionary leadership, identify strategic opportunities for the ISN and to enhance
nephrology around the globe.

The operations of our Atlanta, GA (USA), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Cairo (Egypt)
offices are being transferred to our new central Headquarters in Brussels, while our
ISN-COMGAN and Kidney International activities will continue to be managed out of
our Toronto (Canada) and St. Louis, MO (USA) offices, respectively.

At this time, I would like to acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude to the
following individuals who have worked with us so closely for many years and who have
contributed greatly to the ISN’s success and excellent reputation:

Ilja Huang and Sanchita Mukherjee (Amsterdam), Soha Khalil (Cairo), Margaret Murray and
Rosemary McCier (Atlanta). All have been superb and the Society is greatly indebted to
them all.

We are confident that this important organizational change will have a considerable and
positive impact on the management of the ISN and play a critical role in the further
successful development of our organization.

Please join me in welcoming our new ISN team and be sure to stop by our ISN stand at
the World Congress of Nephrology, June 8 – 12, in Berlin, Germany to meet them
personally. 

Robert C. Atkins, M.D
President

On a practical note:

As of April 1, we ask all our ISN members to contact our global headquarters for all
future transactions and information.

International Society of Nephrology
Avenue des Gaulois, 7
B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 32-2-743 1546
Fax: 32-2-743 1550

E-mail: [email protected]
www.isn-online.org

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