Excellence medal for dialysis technician

BOUND BROOK, NJ — Philip Varughese, a Bound Brook, N.J.-based facility administrator for DaVita Kidney Care, has been honored with a Medal of Excellence award by the American Association of Kidney Patients.

The award recognizes individuals within the kidney and nephrology industry who have played a special role in supporting scientific progress on behalf of patients in the renal community.

Recipients are individuals who have tirelessly advocated for patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, DaVita said in a March 21 news release.

Varughese has been a facility administrator at DaVita Kidney Care for nearly two decades. As an administrator, he oversees a team of dialysis caregivers and takes pride in achieving optimal clinical outcomes at the units he manages.

In 2016, under his leadership, the unit achieved a five-star ranking by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Prior to his time in New Jersey, Varughese worked at the first dialysis unit established in India. His experience drove him to advocate for the importance of the role of the dialysis technician as an integral member of the healthcare team.

Through DaVita’s Bridge of Life program, Varughese has helped set up modern dialysis units to enhance the level of renal care in India.