The UK Kidney Association congratulates Honorary Member Karen Jenkins on her retirement after more than 40 years working in kidney care.

Karen's remarkable career has been recognised by the BBC, highlighting her decades of dedication to patients, research and kidney services.

Throughout her career, Karen has been a driving force in advancing renal nursing and multiprofessional working. Alongside her clinical leadership, she was a founding member and Past President of the Association of Nephrology Nurses UK, helping to raise the profile of renal nursing and champion education, leadership and professional development across the specialty.

Karen has also made an exceptional contribution to the UK Kidney Association. She was instrumental in bringing together the British Renal Society and the Renal Association to form the UK Kidney Association, helping establish the organisation that continues to represent the UK's multiprofessional kidney community today.

She served as the UKKA's Clinical Vice President from 2021 to 2023 and, following her retirement, is stepping down as MPT Chair of the UKKA Supportive Care Special Interest Group and MPT Chair of the UKKA Kidney Patient Safety Committee. Karen led the development of the UKKA Supportive Care SIG and worked with the UK Renal Registry to establish supportive kidney care metrics. She has also been a passionate advocate for the multiprofessional team and for improving patient safety across kidney services.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to kidney care and the Association, Karen was awarded UKKA Honorary Membership in 2023.

Everyone at the UK Kidney Association thanks Karen for her dedication, leadership and lasting contribution to the kidney community. We wish her all the very best for her retirement.