DENVER, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, celebrates its more than 3,000 social worker and dietitian teammates during the entire month of March.

March is National Kidney Month and also marks both National Social Work Month and National Nutrition Month, recognizing the important roles of dietitians and social workers in kidney care. These teammates provide specialized services to patients undergoing dialysis.

During March, in honor of DaVita social workers and dietitians, the company is holding special meetings across the country to bring staff dietitians and social workers together to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the DaVita community and its patients.

"Through their endless support and by helping to ease many of the worries patients and their loved ones face, our social workers are incredible assets to our kidney care team," said Duane Dunn, director of social work services at DaVita. "This month, we're hosting nearly 50 in-person meetings and calls to celebrate and recognize our social workers and the difference they make every day."

Social workers take holistic care to heart as they listen to and advocate for patients' emotional, psychosocial and physical health. Social workers help patients help themselves as they adjust to kidney disease, a chronic illness that can require a significant lifestyle change. Teaching patients about kidney disease and their treatment options - including dialysis and possible transplantation - helps patients understand and make informed decisions about their care. In addition, social workers are instrumental in assisting with insurance questions and coordinating travel arrangements for patients. Social workers educate and support patients to help them enjoy a better quality of life with kidney disease.

Dietitians work regularly with patients to guide their nutrition choices and create healthy meal plans for specific health needs. Chronic kidney disease requires significant diet modifications, which include limiting fluids and sodium intake and monitoring key nutritional levels such as phosphorus and potassium. By educating patients, dietitians can help patients avoid complications, and improve clinical outcomes and quality of life.

"During the month of March, DaVita dietitians will host a number of events within their local communities to empower individuals to make healthy food and lifestyle choices," said Becky Brosch, director of nutrition services for DaVita. "It's especially important for those at risk for chronic diseases to be educated on how nutrition can make a positive impact on their health."

These community events will help spread the word about healthy living and empower individuals to make beneficial choices. Diet may help slow the progression and assist with the management of chronic illnesses like kidney disease and diabetes.

DaVita dietitians provide a myriad of resources, including DaVita Diet Helper™, which offers a way to track phosphorus, sodium and potassium intake as well as 1,000-plus kidney-friendly recipes and mobile shopping lists. Learn more at DaVita.com/MyDietHelper.

About DaVita
DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of Dec. 31, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,074 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 163,000 patients. The company also operated 73 outpatient dialysis centers located in ten countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Contact Information

Media:
Bianca Violante
303-876-6614
Bianca.violante@davita.com

SOURCE DaVita

SOURCE: DaVita