60 Years of history
The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) was founded in 1960 by Professor Jean Hamburger, the ISN’s first President, at the 1st International Congress of Nephrology held in Geneva and Evian, Switzerland.
From the outset, the ISN focused on advancing worldwide education, science, and patient care in nephrology. The society has grown to become a leading international community with 8,500 members from across the globe.
Today, the ISN continues to offer access to the latest knowledge and best-practices to a global community through education, grants, research, and advocacy to advance its vision of a future where all people have equitable access to sustainable kidney health.
| Name | Country | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes B. Fogo | USA | 2021-2023 |
| Vivekanand Jha | India | 2019-2021 |
| David Harris | Australia | 2017-2019 |
| Adeera Levin | Canada | 2015-2017 |
| Giuseppe Remuzzi | Italy | 2013 - 2015 |
| John Feehally | United Kingdom | 2011 - 2013 |
| Bernardo Rodriguez-Iturbe | Venezuela | 2009 - 2011 |
| Eberhard Ritz | Germany | 2007 - 2009 |
| William Couser | USA | 2005 - 2007 |
| Jan Weening | The Netherlands | 2003 - 2005 |
| Robert C. Atkins | Australia | 2001 - 2003 |
| Thomas E. Andreoli | USA | 1999 - 2001 |
| Kiyoshi Kurokawa | Japan | 1997 - 1999 |
| Robert W. Schrier | USA | 1995 - 1997 |
| J. Stewart Cameron | United Kingdom | 1993 - 1995 |
| Roscoe R. Robinson | USA | 1990 - 1993 |
| Klaus Thurau | Germany | 1987 - 1990 |
| Donald W. Seldin | USA | 1984 - 1987 |
| Gabriel Richet | France | 1981 - 1984 |
| George E. Schreiner | USA | 1978 - 1981 |
| Nils Alwall | Sweden | 1975 - 1978 |
| Priscilla S. Kincaid-Smith | Australia | 1972 - 1975 |
| Hugh E. de Wardener | United Kingdom | 1969 - 1972 |
| John P. Merrill | USA | 1966 - 1969 |
| Claus Brun | Denmark | 1963 - 1966 |
| Jean Hamburger | France | 1960 - 1963 |
Historical Timeline
For six decades, the ISN is at the vanguard of advancing kidney care worldwide, leading the nephrology community into the 21st century through capacity building and global knowledge exchange.
60th Anniversary
The ISN celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020, which included commemorative journal publications, series, videos and timelines.
Biennial Reports
These biennial reports document the ISN’s impact advancing kidney health worldwide, in 2-year installments.