WE ARE Connecting people to provide support to patients in need of a kidney transplant.
Kidney Companions
We created Kidney Companions in the spirit of community and friendship to meet the needs of patients seeking kidney transplantation. Our leadership is a combination of medical professionals, engaged community members, and altruistic kidney donors. Through the power of companionship, we will bring people together to help those living with kidney failure.
GOAL #1
Become an organization capable of responding to the social support requirements of kidney transplantation programs.
GOAL #2
Build volunteer teams – known as ‘kidney companions’ – who will provide the necessary social support for individual patients seeking kidney transplantation.
GOAL #3
Together we will help facilitate more kidney transplants for our at-need population and improve long-term outcomes for people living with kidney disease.
Recently, John and Molly Stanifer spoke about Kidney Companions at the University of Michigan.
Learn more about kidney disease and rural disparity.
Learn more about the importance of social capital for those with kidney disease.
John W. Stanifer, MD, MSc
Dr. Stanifer is a board-certified Nephrologist who cares for patients suffering from kidney disease. His practice, Munson Nephrology, serves patients living in Northern Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Wake Forest University and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He trained in combined Internal Medicine and Global Health at Duke University. He completed sub-specialty training in Nephrology at Duke University, during which he also completed an advanced fellowship in clinical research, ultimately serving as Chief Fellow at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. Prior to establishing his practice at Munson Nephrology, he worked in academic medicine, where he led several studies investigating mechanisms of health disparities in kidney disease among rural communities. He has published studies on a broad range of topics at the intersection of health disparities, nephrology, cardiovascular disease, and epidemiology.
Molly B. Stanifer, CFP®
Molly is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and resident of Traverse City, Michigan. As a financial planner, she brings years of experience in financial stewardship and long term sustainability planning. She also has a strong interest in serving her community and all who are part of it. She is a board member of Grand Traverse Area Estate Planning Council, member of 100 Women Who Care, and recent graduate of the Leadership Grand Traverse program.
Angela Leete, LMSW
Angela is a social worker at the Munson Dialysis Center. She also provides social work support for the Nephrology Clinic and provides monthly offerings of “Kidney Class”. This class provides amultidisciplinary program to provide information on dialysis and transplant options for individuals with late stage Kidney Disease. She is a member of the Michigan Chapter of the Council of Nephrology Social Workers. Angela received her Bachelor of Arts from Hope College, double majoring in Psychology and Dance. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan with a Specialist in Aging Certificate. Prior to working in Nephrology, Angela worked in the Social Work/Case Management Department at Munson Medical Center. She has worked for Munson Healthcare since 2004.
Angela enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and 3 children, enjoying all that Northern Michigan has to offer.
Chris Bosio
Chris Bosio is the International Trade Manager for the Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). His role is to assist small businesses expand their international sales. He has held several leadership positions in a variety of industries and brings an entrepreneurial focus to his position at the MEDC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Michigan University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. He has lived in Traverse City since 2000 with his wife Tina, son Nicholas and daughter Christina.
