Professor Smeeta Sinha has been selected to deliver the O’Donoghue Lecture at UK Kidney Week 2026, one of the UK kidney community’s most significant honours, recognising exceptional leadership, service and impact in kidney medicine.

The lecture honours the legacy of Professor Donal O’Donoghue OBE, whose contribution to kidney care, professional leadership and patient advocacy has had a lasting influence across the UK. It is meant to recognise individuals whose work reflects the same commitment to improving kidney services, advancing care and supporting the kidney workforce at a national level.

Professor Sinha’s selection reflects the scale and substance of her contribution to kidney medicine in the UK.

Appointed National Clinical Director for Renal Medicine in 2022, Professor Sinha has played a central role in shaping the strategic direction of kidney services in England. Through her leadership of the Renal Services Transformation Programme, she has driven ambitious, system-wide change, with a focus on improving equity, quality and access to care.

A key element of this work has been the development and rollout of regional kidney care centres, supporting delivery of treatment closer to patients’ homes and strengthening integration across services. Under her leadership, innovation has been actively supported and scaled, with an emphasis on translating best practice into routine care at pace.

Alongside her national policy and service leadership, Professor Sinha is a recognised authority in rare kidney diseases, particularly calciphylaxis. She has led and supported multicentre clinical trials and national data initiatives, contributing to improved understanding and management of complex and high-risk kidney conditions.

Professor Sinha is also widely respected as a mentor and advocate for workforce development, championing clinical leadership and supporting the next generation of kidney professionals across disciplines.

Her delivery of the O’Donoghue Lecture at UK Kidney Week 2026 reflects both her individual achievements and the enduring significance of the lecture itself. 

The lecture will be delivered in person during the opening plenary at UK Kidney Week 2026, taking place at 11:30 on Tuesday 10 March 2026 in Harrogate.