Theme, “Who is Your Kidney Healthcare Hero?”
Winners of the 19th Annual Essay Contest
Tina’s Gift, 1st Place Winner, 19th Annual Essay Contest
The pediatric lab services station at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) did not always have its own home. Sometimes it was...
Ode to Nurse Mary the Pirate, 2nd Place Winner, 19th Annual Essay Contest
When my kids were little, in a different place and time, we watched Veggie Tales every day. These days my kids have marooned me...
Dialysis Wonder Woman, 3rd Place Winning Essay (Tie) 19th Annual Essay Contest
I am not a perfect patient. When I first began dialysis, I missed treatments, and not always accidentally. As I progressed in my journey...
24K Magic, 3rd Place Winning Essay (Tie) 19th Annual Essay Contest
Tap, tap, tap! The doctor kept tapping on my forehead.
“Is it over yet?” I asked as he kept tapping.
“Don’t think about it,” he stated...
Tabitha Taught Me to Live, Not Just Survive, President’s Pick, 19th Annual Essay Contest
In March 2019, a door slammed shut. I found myself in the intensive care unit of my local hospital, dazed, in pain, and begging...
My Doctor, My Protector, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
“Mom, will it hurt?” These were the first words that came out of my mouth the day after my kidneys completely stopped working. The day after I...
Head and Shoulders Above the Rest, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
When I embarked upon my dialysis journey, I was not a willing participant. I had been diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease in...
Heroes Come in Many Different Forms, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
When I was a child, I told myself that 32 was going to be a year in which something magical happened. I didn’t know...
Hornets and the Rose-colored Stethoscope, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
… I couldn’t believe it. I was numb as I rose from the conference table and headed toward the inner sanctum of the dialysis...
Human, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
Writing this essay is an exercise in gratitude. My kidneys failed 12 years ago so I have had all types of challenges. I know...
Dr. K, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
April 5, 1998, is not a day that you’ll read about in history books many years from now. It is a day I will...
Brighter Skies, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening, I pass through an empty lobby and walk directly to the white door. After firmly pressing the silver...
Lucky, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
Wow, what a great theme to write an essay about. Unfortunately, with our overburdened healthcare professionals also suffering from the COVID-19 virus both mentally...
Hope, Honorable Mention, 19th Annual Essay Contest
To answer the question, “Who is your Healthcare Hero,” I had to take a sobering look at what the word ‘hero’ truly means to...
You Saved My Life, and For That I Am Grateful, 19th Annual Essay Contest
I was born and raised in the small town of Blythe, California. In recent years my life forever changed as I was sadly diagnosed...
The Day My Life Got Interesting, 19th Annual Essay Contest
“Is your blood pressure always this high?” asked Dr. Craven.
Every day since turning 35, headaches followed me to bed. There was no need for...
Nurse Judy, 19th Annual Essay Contest
Nurse Judy loves me and my mom, but we are not related to her. We did not know her until my kidney problem became...
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