Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award
Nominations are now closed.
Ardelyx created the Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award to recognize passionate supporters of patients living with chronic kidney disease who champion the need for innovation and the need to improve health outcomes. This award was established to honor Derek Forfang, an amazing person who suffered from chronic kidney disease and passed away due to issues related to his disease in 2023. Derek was the inspiration and founding member of the Ardelyx Patient Advisory Council, which was just one of the many committees to which Derek belonged. Derek worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the patients, families and caregivers in the chronic kidney disease community. This award serves to recognize those individuals who, like Derek, raise awareness of the challenges that kidney patients face, are willing to be the voice for their community and deserve to be recognized for their contributions.
Nominations are now closed.
Meet Last Year's Winners
Mary Baliker has been a dedicated healthcare advocate for the past 40 years, and is involved in several kidney initiatives regionally, nationally and globally. Mary was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of nine and since then has undergone hemodialysis and received four kidney transplants.
Erich Ditschman was a lifelong advocate for kidney patients, dedicating his time to mentorship, policy change and home dialysis education before his passing on New Year’s Day 2025. Erich co-founded one of the first home hemodialysis databases, which ultimately contributed to the founding of Home Dialyzors United.
Nichole Jefferson is a kidney transplant recipient and patient advocate dedicated to health equity, early detection and patient empowerment. Recognizing that transplantation is a treatment, not a cure, Nichole became a fierce advocate for underserved communities, policy change and patient education.
Curtis Warfield is a kidney transplant recipient and advocate for health equity, policy reform and patient education. Diagnosed with FSGS in 2012, Curtis received a kidney transplant in 2016 and has since worked to ensure patient voices shape kidney care policies. He advocates on Capitol Hill and in his home state of Indiana and serves on key task forces and research panels.
David M. White is a grateful kidney transplant recipient and patient engagement leader focused on health equity, patient empowerment and systemic kidney care reform. Dave actively collaborates with government agencies, research groups and quality improvement organizations to ensure patients' voices shape healthcare decisions, championing policy change to improve outcomes for the CKD community.