Dr. Bejar and Dr. Valle Certified Hypertension Specialists

Big Congratulations to Dr. Carlos Bejar and Dr. Gabriel Valle!

Both have been Certified Hypertension Specialists since 2015 — and they have just successfully passed their 10-year recertification exam!

This elite recognition is awarded to physicians with the highest level of expertise in treating complex hypertension and related disorders.

Less than 1,500 physicians worldwide have earned this honor.

We are incredibly proud to have two of them leading the way at The Kidney Group!

Their dedication means better outcomes, personalized care, and hope for our patients every single day.

Excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s our standard. 

Juliette Valle, Miss Florida 2023, at Kidney Day at the Florida Capital.

Kidney Day at the Florida Capitol this year was a powerful and meaningful event, bringing together advocates, healthcare professionals, and legislators to raise awareness about kidney disease. One of the keynote speakers was a proud representative of both the National Kidney Foundation of Florida and the Florida Renal Association-Juliette Valle, Miss Florida 2023, and a current law student, is a spokesperson

for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. She follows a strong family legacy—her father, Dr. Gabriel Valle, serves as Chief of the Medical Advisory Board, and her mother, Barbara Valle, is a transplant nurse and board member of the National Kidney Foundation.

Engaging with lawmakers to spotlight the urgent need for kidney disease awareness was a highlight of the day—especially given that 90% of those affected are unaware they even have the disease. One particularly moving moment was speaking with Representative Webster Barnaby, whose continued public service while on dialysis exemplifies resilience and commitment.

From morning meetings with legislators to the evening reception at the Governor’s Club, the event was filled with energy, purpose, and inspiring collaborations. Special thanks go to Savannah, Amy, Shannon, John, and the entire National Kidney Foundation team for their leadership and support. The momentum continues, and the drive for kidney health advocacy is stronger than ever. 

Juliette Valle, Miss Miami, on Univision

Juliette Valle, Miss Miami 2022, and a passionate advocate for Kidney Disease Prevention, appeared on the popular Univision show “The Voz”

to discuss her final days as Miss Miami, her passion for the Kidney community, and her popular Christmas album “Joyfully, Juliette Valle” with all proceeds from the album going to support kidney related causes. The album is available on all streaming platforms.  Valle, age 21, is a senior at the University of Miami and the daughter of nephrologist Dr. Gabriel Valle and our Clinical Nurse Specialist, Barbara Valle. Juliette is also an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. 

What Can We Learn From The Flu Pandemic of 1918

The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 can teach us many lessons. Worldwide, it took over 2 years to fully resolve. It had a beginning, a 2nd wave, and an end. In the United States, cities that took sustained action, flattened the curve. The ill and their families were quarantined, public events and public transportation were closed. Those with chronic illness fared worse. Those that lived communally, such as soldiers during wartime, despite youth, were hard hit. Poor people and those that were malnourished were at high risk. And when it was over, people quickly forgot. Although we value our independence, a pandemic teaches us that we are all connected. Much more so now, due to widespread travel, then in 1918. We end this pandemic now by being thoughtful and prudent. That’s how we flatten the curve. Wash your hands, wear your cloth face covering, and stay home if you are sick. If you have a chronic illness, particularly obesity and diabetes, you are at highest risk of complications and must be very cautious, while simultaneously seeking to optimize your health through healthful living choices. This is how we take care of ourselves. And each other. #covid19 #responsibility #community #humanity #patience #diabetes #obesity #history #medicineandmedia The Kidney and Hypertension Group

Barbara Valle Headed to Harvard

Congratulations to our Clinical Nurse Manager, Barbara Valle, who was accepted to Harvard Medical School’s Post Graduate Program “Medicine and Media”, 2019-2020. Barbara is the Editor in Chief of our 7 different Social Media sites, which has made us the most followed Neprology practice social media in both English and Spanish for the last 10 years. Barbara also oversees the clinic aspects of our award winning Home Dialysis Program and our Kidney and Kidney/Pancreas Pre-Transplant Program, @vipkidneyhealth. We are so proud of her! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Broward Hospital District Exploring Expanding Kidney and Liver Transplant Services

In what would be a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the North Broward and South Broward Hospital Districts have agreed to explore the possibility of cooperating on organ transplant services. The potential partnership would involve the existing liver transplant program at North Broward’s Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale and the kidney transplant program at South Broward’s Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

Gino Santorio and Aurelio M. Fernandez, leaders of Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System respectively, recently signed an exploratory cooperation letter of intent to formally begin the due diligence process. The doctors of @kidneygroup are excited to be a part of this process. We believe it will bring more opportunities for transplant to the many patients in Broward county currently waiting.

Frank, age 84, is the oldest living donor in the United States, after donating his kidney to his neighbor, Jean. Proving you are never too old to be a hero! 💚