Boehringer-Ingelheim

Wendy L. Wright

DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP (Moderator)

Wendy is the owner of an award-winning primary care NP owned and operated clinic as well as a medical education company.
Dr. Wright was named the NH Nurse Practitioner of the Year in 2024, Advocate of the Year, a Top five Woman Led Business in NH, and one of the Top 10 NPs in America. Wendy is also the author of two textbooks, and an international speaker on clinical practice and entrepreneurship.

John M. Giacona

PhD, PA-C

PA Giacona is a hypertension specialist practicing at the Clinical Heart and Vascular Center in Dallas. He is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Clinical Research Department and has a secondary appointment in the Cardiology Division at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Giacona also provides teaching services for the Department of PA Studies, and currently serves as Chair of Preventive Cardiology for the Academy of PAs in Cardiology. He also serves on the AHA’s Hypertension Professional/Public Education & Publications Committee.

Viet Le

DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, FAHA, HF-Cert

Viet is Associate Professor of Research and Preventive Cardiology PA at Intermountain Health, adjunct faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions PA program and has co-authored over 30 publications and 80 abstracts. He is past president of the Academy of PAs in Cardiology, has served consecutive terms as Co-Chair of the American College of Cardiology Cardiovascular Team Physician Associate Work Group, and is President of the Utah Academy of PAs.

Becky Ness

PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, FNKF

Becky Ness is a highly accomplished PA specializing in Nephrology and Hypertension at the Mayo Clinic, with over 20 years of experience. She's an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, adjunct faculty for several PA programs, and serves as a clinical preceptor. A recognized national speaker, PA Ness is the immediate past chair for the Council of Advanced Practitioners with the NKF, a delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates for the American Academy of Nephrology PAs, and a member of the MAPA legislative committee.

Angela Ritten

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Angela is a highly respected leader and educator in primary care. She has served as past president of the Central Florida Advanced Practice Nursing Council and past secretary of the Florida Coalition of NPs. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ritten's dedication to compassionate patient care was recognized with the prestigious Dr. Ruth McKeefery Award from Shepherd's Hope. A prolific scholar, she is also a published author and an invited speaker at numerous conferences and events.

Leah Foster Smith

MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNN-NP, FNKF, FANNA, FAANP

Leah is the Director of APPs at Metrolina Nephrology Associates in North Carolina supervising a large group of nephrology APPs. Leah is also a clinical consultant with Clear Edge Medical Management, creator and chair of a formalized CKD program managing over 29,000 CKD patients, & co-founder and Chief Education Officer of Interactive Nephrology. She has been a national speaker for over 20 years, and serves in national roles with ANNA, NKF, ASN and RPA.

Scott Urquhart

PA-C, DFAAPA

PA Urquhart is a distinguished leader in endocrinology, contributing nearly three decades of specialized expertise to Diabetes and Thyroid Associates in Virginia. He is a founding member and Past President of the American Society of Endocrine PAs. PA Urquhart has clinical teaching affiliations with James Madison University and George Washington University. He has won awards for his work including the Paragon Award for Outstanding PA/Physician Partnership.

The Predictive Power of Albuminuria measured by UACR:
An important addition to your Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Are You Ready to Play — and Change the Way You Think About CKD and CVD?

ALBUMINURIA: An Important Factor in Early Detection of CV Risk

About the Speakers

John M. Giacona

PhD, PA-C

Viet Le

DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, FAHA, HF-Cert

Wendy L. Wright

DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP (Moderator)

John M. Giacona

PhD, PA-C

Viet Le

DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, FAHA, HF-Cert

Becky Ness

PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, FNKF

Angela Ritten

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Leah Foster Smith

MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNN-NP, FNKF, FANNA, FAANP

Scott Urquhart

PA-C, DFAAPA