Ed Kashi — La Isla Network partner, world-renowned photojournalist and co-founder of Talking Eyes Media — has been awarded the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) President’s Medal.
The ASN is recognizing Mr Kashi’s photojournalism and films, which have increased awareness of and humanized the growing problem of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnt).
The medal presentation took place during the plenary session of ASN Kidney Week 2023 on Thursday, November 2 in Philadelphia, PA. Kidney Week is the world’s largest and most prestigious kidney conference. On average, 12,000 to 14,000 from more than 120 countries attend Kidney Week in person.
Ed Kashi said, “It is always an honor for my work to be recognized, but to receive this accolade from the professional organization dedicated to treating this issue, is all the more profound.”
La Isla Network and Mr. Kashi have worked together for years to document epidemics of CKDnt in Central America, South America and South Asia. The organization highly values its working relationship with Mr. Kashi and looks forward to an ongoing partnership with him and Talking Eyes Media.
To learn more about the importance of the award, La Isla Network talked to ASN President Michelle A. Josephson, MD, FASN.
La Isla Network: Who wins the American Society of Nephrology President’s Medal?
Dr. Josephson: The ASN President’s Medal is given to individuals who have helped advance ASN’s mission of creating a world without kidney diseases by “elevating care through educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.”
LIN: Has a photographer previously won the award?
Dr. Josephson: No.
La Isla Network: Why Ed Kashi and why now?
Dr. Josephson: Ed Kashi’s photojournalism and films have increased awareness and humanized the growing problem of CKDnt. Through raising awareness, he has compelled others to make changes in some contributing work conditions, including insufficient water intake and excessive heat exposure.
My husband is Stephen Daiter, a photography gallerist in Chicago, IL. Through Steve’s work, I have come to better appreciate the powerful impact that photography has on the viewer. Because of that, I saw and felt how important and impactful Ed Kashi’s work is. As President of ASN, I felt I had an opportunity that I did not want to miss, to both recognize Ed Kashi’s impact with this award as well as to introduce those in the ASN community who might not be familiar with his work, to his powerful photography and films. And at the same time, there has been growing awareness and concern over how the environment and climate change affects health, including kidney health. This topic is one that Ed Kashi uses his camera lens to focus on.
Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has more than 20,000 members representing 132 countries. For more information, visit www.asn-online.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
The world’s premier nephrology meeting, ASN Kidney Week, brings together approximately 12,000 kidney professionals from across the world. The largest nephrology meeting provides participants with exciting and challenging opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and listen to engaging and provocative discussions with leading experts in the field.
La Isla Network is the leading global occupational health research organization and consultancy dedicated to protecting workers in a changing climate. LIN generates, supports and executes evidence-driven solutions to protect workers from heat and occupationally acquired injuries and illnesses, especially those driven by climate change. In the process, LIN works closely with employers and workers to understand the specific contexts of their industry to adopt the gold standard of worker protections to the reality of their site-specific situation. The organization’s work started in Nicaragua in 2011, when co-founder and CEO Jason Glaser encountered a community of sugarcane workers dying of kidney disease. Today, LIN continues to address kidney disease among manual laborers, and has expanded to other countries and industries. To learn more about La Isla Network and to donate to protect workers go to https://laislanetwork.org/.
