News & Resources

The VITALITY research group at Vanderbilt is focused on DeVeloping Independence, PrognosTic Awareness, and LIfe QualiTY.

Learn more about our work from our news, resources, and community engagement information below.

Recent Talks

December 4, 2025 - "Life and Health Span in the Aging Adult with Kidney Disease," Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
March 8, 2025 - "Patient Activation in Frail, Aging Adults with Kidney Disease," University of California Division of Nephrology Grand Rounds, San Francisco
November 2, 2024 - "Conservative Kidney Management," session moderator, American Society of Nephrology, San Diego
October 18, 2024 - "Symptom Assessment in Kidney Disease: Harmonizing Patient and Clinician Priorities," National Kidney Foundation of Northern California's 55th Annual Medical Symposium, Fresno, California
April 11, 2024 - University of Chicago Division of Nephrology Grand Rounds
March 9, 2024 - Annual Dialysis Conference, San Diego
March 7, 2024 - Vanderbilt University Medical Center Division of Nephrology Grand Rounds, Nashville

News

Patient co-developed educational resources

Dialysis or conservative kidney management: What's best for me?

View and download the conversation guide in:

Developers: Nicole Wyatt DO; Lori Anne Parker-Danley, PhD; Karen Bryan, MEd; Devika Nair, MD, MSCI

Watch the "Dialysis or conservative kidney management" video in English above. The video is also available in Spanish and Arabic.

Living with Kidney Disease: Patient Testimonials

Developers: Karan Mirpuri, MD; Devika Nair, MD, MSCI

Clinician co-developed quality improvement

These initiatives have been developed to improve the timeliness and appropriateness of assessing symptom burden, life goals, and palliative care consults for those adults with kidney disease who are >75 years old and/or with an eGFR of less than 20 mL/min/1.73m2.

Below is an example of the questions presented in Vanderbilt University Medical Center's eStar system, .ACPkidney smart phrase in eStar

Below is an example of the questions presented in the Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Health System: Kidney Symptom Burden and Advance Care Planning progress note plus electronic trigger for palliative care consult.