2024-2025 Review

patient care

Kidney Stone Clinic Growth

Under the leadership of Sanjeevkumar Patel, MD, the Multi-Disciplinary Nephrology-Urology Kidney Stone Clinic has become a major clinical strength. The clinic's approach combines medical treatment, nutritional education, and self-management strategies, to empower patients through team-based, whole-person kidney stone care. The results:

• Referrals increased fourfold, rising from 10 to 40 per month.
• Two-thirds of referrals now come from external health systems.

National Leadership in Organ Transplant Reform

Silas Norman, MD, serves as officer-at-large for the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network and represents Michigan Medicine on the Expeditious Task Force, which aims to double national transplant volumes by 2026. As Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive transplant center, we are driving change through data-driven insights, systemic reform, and national collaboration to increase organ utilization.

Advocating for Donor Rights

Faculty members Mona Doshi, MD; Julie Wright Nunes, MD; and Laura Mariani, MD, met with legislators in both the Michigan House and Senate to champion three bills to support patients with kidney disease and promote organ donation. Their efforts contributed to Governor Whitmer’s signing of House Bill 4361, which creates a tax credit designed to ease the financial burden on organ donors. By helping cover expenses such as lost wages and medical bills, the measure aims to encourage organ donation and improve patient outcomes across Michigan. At the national level, Julie Wright Nunes, MD, testified on behalf of the bipartisan New Era for Preventing End‑Stage Kidney Disease Act - which aims to bolster diagnosis, research, and treatment of rare kidney diseases.

"Speaking to Michigan legislators along with patients was very empowering as you were not only helping patients seen within the walls of your clinic but many others across the state." - Dr. Mona Doshi

Nephrology Faculty Join Capitol Hill Day Rare Kidney Disease Advocates

Matthias Kretzler, MD; Silas Norman, MD; and Julie Wright, MD, participated in advocating for kidney disease on behalf of the American Kidney Fund and the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. The annual event brings together members of the rare kidney disease community to meet with lawmakers and raise awareness of the challenges faced by patients living with these serious and often under-recognized conditions. The day included more than 50 meetings with members of Congress and their staff, during which advocates called for increased federal funding for rare disease research, improved access to care, and more equitable diagnostic practices. 

research

Breakthrough Innovation: Selective Cytopheretic Device

David Humes, MD, achieved FDA approval for the Selective Cytopheretic Device, a biomimetic membrane cell processing device designed specifically for ICU pediatric patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and multiorgan failure who require renal replacement therapy. “When a patient has AKI, especially with severe sepsis, there is a tremendous increase in the activation of circulating white blood cells with the excessive production of cytokines (small proteins that help control the activity of other immune system cells),” stated Humes. “The body is overwhelmed by this excessive amount of cytokines, also known as cytokine storm, and starts to shut down.”

Discovery of Molecular Subgroups of Chronic Kidney Disease

Researchers, led by Matthias Kretzler, MD, published a study in Kidney International showing that kidney disease patients, when analyzed at the molecular level from biopsies, can be grouped into distinct molecular subtypes. These molecular categories had different rates of disease progression; one group in particular had especially rapid progression. The team also identified a set of proteins in urine that may serve as noninvasive biomarkers (“proxies”) for the molecular subtype with the fastest progression — potentially enabling precision medicine for kidney disease in the future. This work represents a shift away from purely clinical classification (e.g., by symptoms, lab values) toward biology‑driven, molecular classification of kidney disease — a step toward more personalized treatment.

Breakthrough Type One Diabetes U-M-OHSU Cardiorenal Center of Excellence

This year, the University of Michigan advanced its leadership in type 1 diabetes research through the launch of the Breakthrough T1D University of Michigan and Oregon Health and Science University Cardiorenal Center of Excellence, a major initiative made possible by a $2.8 million award from Breakthrough T1D.   Leading this effort is Matthias Kretzler, MD, whose internationally recognized expertise in kidney disease, molecular therapeutics, and data-driven precision medicine is shaping the Center’s scientific direction. Dr. Kretzler is spearheading the development of an innovative translational platform that integrates molecular profiling, clinical insight, and advanced bioinformatics to identify and test targeted therapies for the heart and kidney complications of type 1 diabetes. His leadership positions U-M at the forefront of turning complex biological data into meaningful clinical advances that will improve long-term outcomes for people living with T1D.   The creation of the Cardiorenal Center of Excellence marks a shift toward integrated, precision medicine — combining endocrinology, cardiology, and nephrology to tackle the complex interplay of heart and kidney disease in diabetes. This could lead to new therapies, better risk-stratification, and more personalized care.

Public Health and Surveillance Work Continues

The division (through its collaboration with other centers) remains a key contributor to the national CDC Chronic Kidney Disease Surveillance System. In 2025, the project entered a new phase with renewed funding, led by U-M’s own Rajiv Saran, MD. The effort aims to improve detection, tracking, and prevention of chronic kidney disease across the U.S. in collaboration with public-health partners.