Who We Are
We’re a nonprofit, community-based organization with a mission to promote the optimal health, quality of life and independence of people with kidney disease through patient care, education and research.
About us
Founded in Seattle in 1962, we are the world’s first dialysis organization. We are the provider of choice because of our high quality services, community connections and generous donor support.
We provided about 292,167 dialysis treatments last year, about a quarter of all dialysis treatments in the state, for 1,936 patients who dialyze in one of our centers or at home with our support.
Each year our hospital services team provides approximately 10,000 treatments at hospital across King County.
Gemy Maninga , a dialysis technician, at our SeaTac clinic.
Meet our leadership
Administration
Meet our senior management team who support our mission through strategy, vision and expertise.
Board of Trustees
Our volunteer board of trustees governs Northwest Kidney Centers.
Foundation Board
The Foundation Board volunteers time to raise funds and build relationships for us in the community.
Our heritage
We owe so much to the dedication and hard work of our founders and earliest employees. From Dr. Belding Scribner’s game-changing invention to breakthrough discoveries made by our Kidney Research Institute, we’ve always set our aims high.
Our reputation is built on more than 60 years of experience caring for people with kidney disease. As we’ve grown and expanded, our commitment to our patients has remained unwavering.
Dr. Christopher Blagg, Northwest Kidney Centers executive director emeritus, at work in the 1960s.
Our highest honor
Northwest Kidney Centers gives the Clyde Shields Distinguished Service Award to people who make significant contributions to the welfare of kidney patients through advocacy, clinical care or research.
The award is named after the world’s first patient to live on maintenance hemodialysis. Mr. Shields had his first dialysis treatment at the University of Washington Hospital March 9, 1960.
Clyde Shields, left, cuts into a cake in 1970 in celebration of
the 10th anniversary of maintenance dialysis.
Work for us
Our dedicated staff sustains lives every day. Each member of our organization contributes to patients’ health, quality of life and independence.
We’re the largest dialysis provider in the Puget Sound region, and we offer a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. As we grow, we’re pleased to welcome new members to our outstanding team.
Dialysis technician Ingrid Suy with patient Juan Nerona at our Rainier Beach clinic.
