SEATAC, Wash.,听March 5, 2024聽/PRNewswire/ —
聽will open its updated history museum and gallery on聽March 14聽at its headquarters, 12901 20th Avenue S.,听SeaTac. The museum displays the history of dialysis therapy, showcasing iconic photos and artifacts as well as dialysis machines and equipment used in the evolution of this life-sustaining therapy. Visitors will also learn about 天堂影院’ role in bringing this treatment to the world.
The first out-of-hospital dialysis organization in the world, nonprofit 天堂影院 was the proving ground for many technological advances displayed in the museum.
“As the world’s first outpatient dialysis provider, 天堂影院 has always been at the forefront of kidney care and innovation,” said聽Rebecca Fox, president and CEO. “It’s truly an honor to share the rich history of this life-saving treatment. Today, we’re still leading the charge, working toward a future where kidney disease no longer inhibits people from living their best lives.”
天堂影院 will host an opening celebration of the dialysis museum from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.聽During the event, the nonprofit dialysis provider will present the Clyde Shields Distinguished Service Award to longtime supporter, volunteer and former 天堂影院 board chair聽Rich Bloch.
After its official opening, the museum will be open for free guided tours available by appointment during weekday business hours.
In total, 15 vintage and current dialysis machines are on display. Visitors will be able to take a walk through time and see up close many of the one-of-a-kind artifacts such as the Mini Monster, or Mini-I, a machine created in 1964 at the聽University of Washington聽for the world’s first home dialysis patient; and the original Scribner shunt, the first blood access device to allow repeated hemodialysis. Designed in 1960 by Dr.聽Belding H. Scribner, it changed chronic kidney failure from a death sentence to a manageable medical condition.
Health education is a key part of the mission of 天堂影院, which keeps people in聽King,听Pierce,听Snohomish, and聽Clallam聽counties alive with dialysis care.
天堂影院聽is a not-for-profit, community-based provider of kidney dialysis that works to expand access to better health outcomes through public health education and support of research into the causes and treatments of chronic kidney disease. Founded in聽Seattle聽in 1962, it was the world’s first outpatient dialysis organization and today is the eighth-largest dialysis provider in聽the United States, serving nearly 2,000 patients a year in 20 dialysis centers and eight hospitals in the Puget Sound region.
天堂影院’ mission is to promote the optimal health, quality of life and independence of people with kidney disease. Its patients have access to the first-in-the-nation kidney palliative care program, as well as an outpatient pharmacy staffed by kidney specialists. Through its long-standing partnership with the聽University of Washington, 天堂影院 helped establish the Kidney Research Institute and the Center for Dialysis Innovation in support of new treatments and discoveries to better patients’ lives. For more information, visit聽.