National Kidney Foundation to Honor Dallas Nephrology Associates with 2026 Award
Dallas Nephrology Associates (DNA) has been selected to receive the prestigious Burl Osborne Award at the 2026 Bonne Santé event hosted by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). The recognition highlights the organization’s long-standing dedication to kidney health awareness, patient education, and community engagement across North Texas and Oklahoma. The award ceremony took place during the foundation’s annual Bonne Santé event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, an occasion that brings together healthcare leaders, philanthropists, patients, and advocates who share a common goal of advancing kidney health and improving the lives of people affected by kidney disease.
The Burl Osborne Award is considered one of the highest honors presented by the NKF. It recognizes organizations and individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in philanthropy and corporate responsibility while contributing significantly to raising awareness about kidney disease. Through its clinical expertise and community outreach initiatives, Dallas Nephrology Associates has consistently shown a deep commitment to supporting the mission of the NKF—educating the public about kidney health, empowering patients, and advancing efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney disease.
For decades, Dallas Nephrology Associates has served as a trusted provider of specialized kidney care in the region. The organization’s physicians and healthcare professionals work with patients at various stages of kidney disease, offering comprehensive treatment and support that includes preventive care, dialysis management, and transplant coordination. Beyond clinical care, the organization places strong emphasis on educating patients and families about kidney health, helping them understand the importance of early detection and lifestyle choices that support kidney function.
At the Bonne Santé 2026 event, DNA was honored for its consistent involvement in community programs that promote kidney disease awareness and provide resources to patients. These programs often include educational seminars, public health outreach activities, and participation in fundraising campaigns designed to support research and patient services. Over the years, the organization has actively collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation to expand these initiatives and ensure that individuals affected by kidney disease have access to the support they need.
Dr. Alexander Liang, CEO and President of Dallas Nephrology Associates, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to its partnership with the NKF. He emphasized that the award reflects the collective dedication of the physicians, healthcare professionals, and staff members who work tirelessly to improve the lives of kidney patients in the communities they serve.
“The Burl Osborne Award is one of the highest honors the National Kidney Foundation bestows,” Dr. Liang said during the event. “Our organization is deeply honored to receive this recognition. We remain committed to supporting the NKF’s mission of raising awareness about kidney disease and advancing care for patients who depend on these efforts for better health outcomes.”
Dr. Liang attended the event to accept the award on behalf of Dallas Nephrology Associates. During his remarks, he acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and community members in addressing the growing burden of kidney disease. According to healthcare experts, chronic kidney disease affects millions of individuals worldwide, often progressing silently until significant damage has occurred. Early detection and public education are therefore critical components in reducing the impact of the disease.
The Burl Osborne Award itself carries deep historical significance within the kidney health community. Established in 2012, the award honors the late Burl Osborne, a former board member of the National Kidney Foundation and longtime publisher of The Dallas Morning News. Osborne was also a kidney transplant recipient who received a living-donor transplant, an experience that strengthened his advocacy for organ donation and kidney disease awareness. His leadership and personal story inspired the NKF to create an award that recognizes individuals and organizations that continue his legacy of dedication to the kidney community.
Recipients of the Burl Osborne Award are selected for their meaningful contributions to kidney disease education, patient advocacy, and organ donation awareness. By honoring Dallas Nephrology Associates in 2026, the NKF acknowledged the organization’s continued efforts to expand access to care and provide educational resources that empower patients to manage their health more effectively.
Calvin Lyons, Executive Director of the National Kidney Foundation, praised Dallas Nephrology Associates for its consistent support and involvement in NKF programs. He highlighted the organization’s unique culture of service, noting that its physicians, staff, and supporters have played a major role in strengthening the kidney health community.
“What truly distinguishes Dallas Nephrology Associates is the spirit of service that runs through their entire organization,” Lyons said. “Year after year, their physicians, staff, and supporters show up in remarkable numbers and demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by kidney disease. Their leadership and dedication have made a lasting difference.”
Lyons also emphasized that partnerships with organizations like Dallas Nephrology Associates are essential to the NKF’s mission. By working together, healthcare providers and nonprofit organizations can expand the reach of educational initiatives, support research, and advocate for policies that benefit patients living with kidney disease.
This is not the first time Dallas Nephrology Associates has received the Burl Osborne Award. The organization previously earned the same recognition in 2014, underscoring its sustained commitment to kidney health advocacy. Receiving the award once again more than a decade later reflects the organization’s ongoing dedication to making a meaningful impact in the field of nephrology and community health.
Over the years, DNA has been involved in numerous activities that support kidney health awareness, including community health fairs, patient education workshops, and charitable fundraising events. These initiatives help generate resources that fund research, patient assistance programs, and educational campaigns organized by the National Kidney Foundation. Through these efforts, the organization contributes to a broader movement aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of kidney disease.
The Bonne Santé event itself plays an important role in this mission. As one of the NKF’s major fundraising and awareness initiatives, the event gathers supporters who are passionate about advancing kidney health. Attendees often include healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, community advocates, and individuals whose lives have been touched by kidney disease. The event provides an opportunity to celebrate progress, recognize outstanding contributors, and generate support for ongoing programs that benefit patients and their families.
For many participants, the evening also serves as a reminder of the importance of organ donation and the life-saving impact of kidney transplants. Advocacy efforts surrounding organ donation remain a central component of the NKF’s mission, and organizations like Dallas Nephrology Associates play a crucial role in educating communities about the need for donors and the benefits of transplantation.
Looking ahead, Dallas Nephrology Associates plans to continue its partnership with the National Kidney Foundation and expand its efforts to support kidney health education and patient advocacy. By maintaining strong community relationships and participating in initiatives that promote early detection and treatment, the organization aims to help reduce the burden of kidney disease in the region.
The recognition at Bonne Santé 2026 serves as both an honor and a reminder of the ongoing work that remains in the fight against kidney disease. For Dallas Nephrology Associates, the award reflects the dedication of its entire team and the trust placed in the organization by the communities it serves.
Those interested in learning more about the event, the work of the National Kidney Foundation, or ways to support kidney health initiatives can find additional information through the organization’s programs and outreach efforts connected to Bonne Santé 2026. Through continued collaboration, advocacy, and education, leaders in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors hope to create a future in which kidney disease is better understood, prevented, and treated for patients everywhere.
About Dallas Nephrology Associates
Established in 1971, Dallas Nephrology Associates (DNA), has been at the forefront of creating person-centered value-based care in Nephrology, with a focus on innovation and patient choice. For over 50 years, DNA has been a trusted source of information and education resulting in quality kidney care. DNA offers the entire spectrum of nephrology care from the office management of CKD patients, to 24/7 coverage of hospitals, dialysis clinics, as well as management of the dialysis accesses of dialysis patients through our 2 vascular centers in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
