DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services, today announced that Debbie Benner, MA, RD, CSR, Vice President of DaVita Nutrition Services, was named the 2009 recipient of the Recognized Renal Dietitian Award by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Professional Councils.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/DAVITALOGO)

The Recognized Renal Dietitian Award honors dietitians who demonstrate exceptional leadership, creativity and public involvement in the area of renal nutrition. The NKF Professional Councils recognized Benner during the Council on Renal Nutrition's (CRN) Business Luncheon on March 26, 2009 in Nashville.

"One of my life's passions has been to share the science of nephrology nutrition with others to benefit the very special patients we serve," Benner said. "It has been my pleasure to dedicate my professional life to kidney care and to share this dedication with so many other very special colleagues here at DaVita."

The National Director of Nutrition Services for DaVita® since 1999, Benner has been working in the renal health field for 30 years. At DaVita, she created the Dietitian Council and the 50-member Area Dietitian Team, a group focused on improving and standardizing practices for more than 1,100 renal dietitians across the country. Benner also led the development and implementation of extensive renal dietitian training programs within DaVita, including a curriculum for new renal dietitians. Benner worked closely with DaVita Clinical Research® to encourage support for studies related to nutritional status in dialysis patients.

"I have received warm congratulations from so many nephrology professionals and I am very humbled by their warm words," Benner said.

DaVita and DaVita Clinical Research are registered trademarks of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages more than 1,400 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 110,000 patients. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: LeAnne.Zumwalt@davita.com

SOURCE: DaVita Inc.