The University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO) recently honored Keck Medicine of USC CEO Rod Hanners and Inderbir S. Gill, MD, chair and distinguished professor of urology, Shirley and Donald Skinner Chair in Urologic Cancer Surgery and executive director of the USC Institute of Urology, at its 2022 benefit dinner.

Inderbir S. Gill, MD (left), with Steven Shapiro, MD, senior vice president for health affairs

Hanners was honored for driving clinical efficiencies at Keck Medicine and for promoting a culture of trust, teamwork and safety throughout the organization, particularly during the health system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gill was recognized for his achievements as a lifesaving physician and medical innovator in improved treatments and protocols in the field of urology.

Among those attending the event were USC President Carol Folt; Steven Shapiro, MD, senior vice president for health affairs; David Peng, MD, chair of the dermatology department and interim chair of medicine; and Carolyn Meltzer, MD, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Many other leaders from the health system and the school joined them in a show of support.

Through the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, UKRO’s mission is to fund medical research and education related to the causes, treatment and cure of all forms of kidney disease, including the development of a revolutionary synthetic kidney, derived from stem cells, that will improve treatment of kidney disease and eventually replace dialysis.