Lori Hartwell’s mission is to help people living with chronic kidney disease. Hartwell suffered kidney failure at the age of two, survived 50+ surgeries and 13 years of dialysis, and is now living with her fourth kidney transplant. Hartwell founded Renal Support Network in 1993 to instill “health, happiness, and hope” into the lives of fellow patients; she serves as President to this day and has inspired patients, family members and healthcare professionals. She has built a national network of people who she refers to as her “kidney kin” to help let them know they are not alone in this journey and help them find the tools needed to navigate this illness.
She has led patient support groups since the early nineties, produced educational podcasts, meetings, unique programs, testified on patient issues at the state and federal level, authored peer-reviewed and medical journal articles on care and policy issues, and served on the boards of industry and provider organizations as a trusted patient advocate who knows the issues. Hartwell is the author of Chronically Happy – Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness, the first book written by and for a patient with kidney disease to ever reach national distribution. She has hosted the KidneyTalk Podcast since 2006 that shares inspiring and educational perspective, insight and hope to her peers.
People Lori connect with come to see kidney disease in a totally different light – that although it is difficult, it is manageable. She helps them recognize the need to take control of the course and management of their illness through storytelling. Learning from another patient’s experience and point of wisdom to live successfully and navigate care is vital for success.
She has always had a knack for thinking outside the box and her past work experience of working in the entertainment field, managing dialysis medical equipment sales, editing medical journals and consulting on patient centered programs allowed her to gain professional perspective that carries through in the life-enriching programs she has created to benefit people who have kidney disease.
Before entering the renal field, Lori worked at Four Corners and Disney and learned first-hand how to create and produce point of purchasing displays and packaging for the Entertainment industry. She had a boss tell her that your work defines you and she made the decision to change careers.
Lori has traveled throughout the Unites States and Internationally giving motivational and educational keynotes, presentations and workshops to healthcare professionals, patients and the general public on how to overcome adversity, pursuing your goals, patient engagement and communication, and how to be your own advocate. Her personal speaking style of using humor and personal stories to make a point leaves audiences laughing and leaving with several points of wisdom to apply to their life and work.
