Kidney in Focus: Young Physicians Leading the Way
Zagreb, April 10–13, 2025
The international nephrology conference Kidney in Focus: Young Physicians Leading the Way was held from April 10 to 13, 2025, at Hotel International in Zagreb. Organized by the Croatian Renal Association with the scientific patronage of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), the conference brought together 230 participants from Croatia and across the region, creating a dynamic platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and inspiration among young physicians, students, and distinguished nephrology experts.
The conference program was rich and diverse, offering an impressive 94 lectures, 35 student oral presentations, and 34 poster presentations. Additionally, the scientific agenda included two formal debates, three round tables, five hands-on workshops, a group quiz session, and a lively Nephro Expo, all held within three dedicated halls of the Hotel International. This unified venue enabled seamless flow and interaction among sessions, providing participants with a concentrated and integrated educational experience.
The opening ceremony was marked by a keynote address from Professor Marcello Tonelli, President of ISN, whose presence as a scientific patron further emphasized the global relevance and credibility of the event. The conference was further enriched by the contributions of leading nephrologists from the region, including Professor Goce Spasovski from North Macedonia, Professor Rainer Oberbauer from Austria, Professors Marija Milinković and Mirjana Laušević from Serbia, Professor Mirna Alečković Halilović from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Professor Miha Arnol from Slovenia.
A wide range of thematic areas was covered during the conference, including kidney transplantation, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, glomerular and rare kidney diseases, pediatric nephrology, and cardio-renal-metabolic health. Sessions also addressed career development in nephrology, making the program particularly appealing to students and early-career professionals. A notable feature of the event was its strong focus on interactivity, with several sessions structured as live case discussions and Q&A polls. The atmosphere throughout the event was exceptionally collegial and inclusive, fostering mentorship, dialogue across disciplines, and active engagement from participants at all levels of training.
In recognition of scientific excellence, five awards were presented during the conference. Marija Babić Čajo received the Best Scientific Abstract Award for her work titled "No Reason to Stay is a Good Reason to Go – PPI Use in Kidney Transplant Recipients". Zoran Mišković was awarded the Best Oral Presentation Award for his interactive session on "SIADH in Acute Porphyria". The Best Student Poster Award was granted to Lea Tavra for her work on "Kidney Transplantation in a Patient with Von Hippel Lindau Syndrome". Ariana Tea Šamija earned the Best Student Presentation Award with a thoughtful analysis titled "Exploring Perspectives of Medical and Non-Medical Students on Kidney Transplantation in Croatia". Finally, Barbara Šernek was recognized with the Best Student Scientific Abstract Award for her presentation "To Pee or Not to Pee – Podocyturia as a Reflection of Glomerular Disease".
The social highlight of the conference was the Gala Dinner held at the Croatian Natural History Museum. Set in one of Zagreb’s most iconic venues, the evening offered participants a chance to relax, connect, and celebrate the success of the conference in an elegant and festive setting.
The organizers express heartfelt thanks to all partners and sponsors whose generous support made this conference possible. Special gratitude goes to Boehringer Ingelheim, Baxter, Novartis, MEDIC, Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BCM, Takeda, and Pliva.
Although originally not planned as a recurring event, the remarkable success of Kidney in Focus 2025 has set the stage for continued collaboration and future initiatives. The conference achieved its mission of fostering international and multidisciplinary cooperation, empowering young physicians and students, and strengthening regional and global networks in nephrology. The vision moving forward is to build on this momentum through sustained educational efforts and scientific exchanges that inspire and connect the next generation of kidney health professionals.
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