The authors
Two careers, one mission: teach dialysis well.
Joanne D. Pittard, MS, RN
Professor Emerita of Allied Health
Joanne began her hemodialysis career in September 1971 at Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, California — working alongside Dr. De Palma as the field itself was taking shape.
She directed the hemodialysis program at Glendale Community College from 1975 to 2006, where she built the course outlines these monographs are derived from. She continues to serve as the educational consultant for Hemodialysis, Inc.
John R. De Palma, MD, FACP
Former CEO & Medical Director
Dr. De Palma served as Medical Director at Olive View Medical Center and conducted formal RN training courses beginning in 1971 — two years before Medicare started reimbursing end-stage renal disease care.
He directed the Hemodialysis, Inc. and American Dialysis College training programs, and his lecture series is the intellectual backbone of the monographs on this site.
