DaVita Inc. , a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH has been appointed to DaVita Clinical Research as Vice President for Research, effective July 13, 2009.

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DaVita Clinical Research is recognized as a leader in clinical trials for drugs and devices. Krishnan will be responsible for leadership for Medical Informatics, publications, DaVita internal research initiatives, serving as primary clinical liaison for all Research partners, and acting as a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO).

"Dr. Krishnan has proven himself as one of the best and brightest minds in nephrology and we are thrilled to welcome him to the DaVita Village," said Dr. Allen R. Nissenson, Chief Medical Officer for DaVita. "His expertise will help DaVita Clinical Research in its continuing mission to advance the knowledge and practice of kidney care, and further OCMO's relentless pursuit of quality™ for kidney patients."

Dr. Krishnan brings more than 15 years of healthcare industry experience to DaVita. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of Medical Policy, Nephrology Therapeutic Area Head for Global Health Economics, and Global Development Leader for Epogen at AMGEN Inc. During his tenure with AMGEN, he played an important role in the 2007 FDA Cardio Renal Drug Advisory Panel for Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents, served as the primary contact for the Dialysis Outcomes Practice Patterns Study, and led many important research projects focused on observational research and dialysis care. He was the founder and managing partner of the Clinical Consulting and Research Center in Fairfax, VA, and prior to that, was in practice in Northern Virginia for nearly five years.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in premedicine from Penn State University, Krishnan earned his medical degree from The Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He also holds a master's degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and completed the Health Management Program for Community-Based Nephrologists at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Additionally, he is currently working towards an MBA in Medical Services Management at the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business in Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Krishnan is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Nephrology and National Kidney Foundation. He currently serves on the editorial board of Nephrology News and Issues and his writing has been published nearly 20 times in renal care and research publications around the world.

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. Recognized as the only FORTUNE 500 company on WorldBlu's annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces™, DaVita manages more than 1,475 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 114,000 patients - nearly one-in-three of all dialysis patients in the United States. 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 materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

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

SOURCE: DaVita Inc.