Past Clyde Shields Award Recipients
Northwest Kidney Centers' Clyde Shields Service Award is given to people who make significant contributions to the welfare of kidney patients through advocacy, clinical care, or research.
| 2012 | All Northwest Kidney Centers' dialysis patients: On the occasion of our 50 years of service to people living with kidney failure, we honor all patients, past and present -- more than 10,000 in the Puget Sound region. “Dialysis demands an enormous price of kidney patients, one which can be paid only with patience, courage, tolerance and grace. From this challenge, the rest of us learn the meaning of fortitude,” said the nephrologist who inspired the nomination. | |
| 2011 | Gladys Rubenstein: Gladys Rubinstein, a longtime Seattle philanthropist, received Northwest Kidney Centers' highest honor, for helping thousands of needy individuals with kidney disease. Through her generous donations, she launched initiatives in patient education, transplantation and kidney research, and supported advancement of the home dialysis program. | |
| 2010 | Dr. Robin Eady: In 1963, Dr. Robin Eady became one of the world's first dialysis patients. Today, the London resident is testament that it is possible to thrive despite serious kidney disease. When he was 22 years old, Eady's parents sought out Dr. Belding Scribner in Seattle to treat their son and in 1963, Eady became one of Scribner's first dialysis patients. Eady got well, went back to England, completed medical school and became a dermatologist. He returned to Seattle for a fellowship year at the University of Washington. | |
| 2008 | Bertil Lundh: Bert demonstrates exceptional, caring and enthusiastic volunteer service. His commitment to, and creation of, fundraising opportunities are stellar. As an ambassador and advocate, he avidly communicates about Northwest Kidney Centers and chronic kidney disease to everyone; as well as develops, builds, and nurtures relationships with government officials and many others. In his role as an important advisor, he has served on key committees, he sees and creates opportunities for Northwest Kidney Centers and patients' welfare, and he provides caring, persistent pushes that make the organization and its services better. We are grateful for Bert’s bright giving spirit. | |
| 2007 | Katy Wilkens: Katy is honored for 30 years of committed and passionate service to people with kidney failure and to the community that cares for them. Katy is, at heart, always a dedicated and creative teacher. She teaches by nurturing the 13-member nutrition and fitness staff she manages; educating patients, peers and health professionals; writing accessible patient education materials; speaking regionally and internationally; advocating for those who need special services; and becoming a Northwest Kidney Centers “media star” with many radio and TV segments to her credit. She has earned the respect and admiration of all who know her. | |
| 2006 | Bill Bowden: In his 24 years as the manager of Northwest Kidney CentersSocial Services, Bill has been an excellent model of patient-centered services and advocacy. He is known for his character and dedication, and for the esteem and respect he has garnered over the years. Bill is strongly committed to improving experiences for everyone touched by kidney disease – and he demonstrates this with humility and devotion to doing the right thing. In addition to his excellent clinical skills, he dedicates many extra hours to his work, administers several patient programs, teaches, and creates ways of improving some difficult ongoing problems for patients and staff. | |
| 2005 | Bill Peckham: As an exemplary leader, patient, advocate and volunteer, Bill continually demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the renal community and provides an ongoing model to others that one can live a full life with chronic kidney disease. He has demonstrated these qualities as a patient and a research participant, as a leader on both Northwest Kidney Centers-related Boards of Trustees and the Regional Council - Southwest, through his focus on creative projects such as patient laptops in dialysis units, through many advocacy efforts, and the quality of life he demonstrates through his employment and personal choices such as travel and challenging projects. | |
| 2004 | Connie Anderson: This award recognizes Connie for her 30 years of exemplary leadership in nursing, management and administration at Northwest Kidney Centers. She excels in every area of Northwest Kidney Centers' mission: patient care, education, and research. Known as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced dialysis professionals in this country, she enjoys special recognition in the field of home hemodialysis. Connie supervises all clinical, quality of care, research, and educational services at Northwest Kidney Centers. In addition, she is on the affiliate faculty at the University of Washington School of Nursing. | |
| 2003 | Nancy Spaeth: Nancy is a "living history" of dialysis and transplantation. She received this award for her 37 years of diverse experience with, and service to, the renal community and her fellow patients. Her many accomplishments include working closely with Dr. Belding Scribner to raise essential funds in the early years of dialysis, taking part in a number of research studies, and helping to inform patients and doctors about kidney failure and its history. | |
| 2002 | Susan Vukich: Susan has devoted 35 years to many renal community services. She pioneered as the first home hemodialysis helper for her daughter Caroline, and went on to serve kidney patients as a local and national support person for home dialysis. With 20 years on the Puget Sound Kidney Centers' board of trustees, and six years on the Northwest Kidney Centers board from 1985 to 1991, she still found time to work over 20 years as a director of volunteers in a health care organization and play leadership roles in a large number of charitable health, youth services, and alumni organizations. | |
| 2001 | Pat Johnson: Pat has been an activist and patient advocate for 30 years. She established K-PASA, the Tacoma patients' association, has served on national renal care committees, Northwest Kidney Centers’ Rehabilitation Scholarship Committee and Patient Conference Committees. She is also active in her community and serves as a model for living successfully and fully with chronic illness. | |
| 1998 | Patty Wood: Patty is a nationally acclaimed patient advocate for organ donation and the humane treatment of research animals. She has a long relationship with Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation’s community education program and continues to serve as a spokesperson. | |
| 1997 | Doug Struthers: Doug was a tireless advocate for home dialysis and dialysis patients. His efforts led to reduced water and garbage rates for home dialysis patients as well as reimbursement to home helpers who are also spouses. | |
| 1996 | Susan Daly Freeman: As a nurse for the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center, Susan played an essential role in the establishment of home dialysis. | |
| 1995 | Jo Ann Albers: Jo Ann was the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center's first head nurse. At a time when nursing practice was very limited, Jo Ann was given enormous responsibilities and helped establish the foundation of hemodialysis practice. | |
| 1994 | Jack Cole: Jack did much of the research and engineering that led to the first durable access devices. His research and innovation were crucial in the development of both the Hickman and Tenckhoff catheters, and the first pediatric catheter that allowed simultaneous administration of different fluids. | |
| 1993 | Elmer Nordstrom: Elmer opened many doors for the establishment of the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center and made Swedish Hospital’s administrative capability available to the kidney center. Elmer was a founding member of both Northwest Kidney Centers and Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation Boards, and he served on these boards until his death. | |
| 1992 | Dr. Les Babb: Enlisted by Dr. Scribner, Les designed and built the first dialysis machines within months of Dr. Scribner's requests, a towering engineering achievement. | |
| 1991 | Jim Albers: One of Dr. Belding Scribner’s first patients, Jim was also a physicist who did some of the initial calculations concerning dialysis clearances. Jim was the model of perseverance in the face of physical challenges. He built a successful academic career and was a leader in the renal community for its earliest days. | |