spotlight on: the KIDNEY and HYPERTENSION CENTER

According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than 661,000 Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 468,000 of those individuals are currently on dialysis. In addition, one in three Americans has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which often contributes to the cause and progression of CKD. But a Grand Forks–based doctor is trying to shift those statistics one patient at a time.

Meet Dr. Khaled Rabadi. Rabadi grew up in Jordan where he received his medical degree from the University of Jordan in 1992. From there, he completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of North Dakota, and after working as an internist at then MeritCare in Fargo, he realized he wanted to specialize. He completed his fellowship in nephrology, the study of kidneys, at the University of Minnesota and went on to work for Altru in Grand Forks, eventually opening the Kidney and Hypertension Center in Grand Forks in 2002.

The Kidney and Hypertension Center provides service to patients with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disorders, kidney transplants, end stage renal disease and adult medicine. Rabadi is the only hypertension specialist in Grand Forks and works with patients at the Kidney and Hypertension Center; the Kidney Institute of North Dakota (KIND), which he founded in 2003; and Aurora Dialysis which he opened in 2008. In Fargo, he exclusively sees patients with kidney problems and hypertension at Internal Medicine Associates.

He also has an impressive list of medical credentials including: board certified nephrologist, board certified hypertension specialist, first independent nephrologist in North Dakota, founder of the

Kidney and Hypertension Center, founder and medical director of the Kidney Institute of North Dakota (KIND), founder and medical director of Aurora Dialysis, and founder and medical director of the Mazen–Leelee Diabetes Center.

Many patients have expressed their overwhelming appreciation for Rabadi’s hands-on approach and dedication. One long-term patient said of Rabadi and Aurora Dialysis: “This is without question the finest dialysis unit I have dealt with; it’s like a hotel setting providing comfortable chairs, warm blankets and pillows. The staff are thoughtful, kind and evidently loyal as I have had a chance to reconnect with them during my visits in the last four years. Dr. Rabadi has made himself available 24/7. This is highly unusual and very impressive.”

In addition to Rabadi’s responsive nature, he also boasts a team of more than 25 skilled professionals like Julie McGauvran, MS, RN, who functions not only as the office manager for the Kidney and Hypertension Center, but also the co-founder and manager of the Kidney Institute of North Dakota (KIND), co-founder and manager of Aurora Dialysis, clinical assistant professor at the University of North Dakota College of Nursing and Professional Discipline, and has more than 30 years of dialysis experience. She says that Rabadi’s stringent guidelines for his patients result in better follow-up and higher patient compliance and better outcomes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Rabadi, his team and the Kidney and Hypertension Center, visit kidneynd.org.