
Merribeth Pentasuglia
Member
Merribeth Pentasuglia is a passionate champion for home dialysis therapies, evolving medical engineering, and technologies.
Ms. Pentasuglia was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in 1997, beginning hemodialysis, and then subsequently receiving a deceased donor kidney that same year. After approximately four years, she again began hemodialysis at a dialysis center. In 2003, Ms. Pentasuglia learned about extended home hemodialysis (nocturnal) and was the first patient at her center to complete home training. Home dialysis conducted at night allowed Ms. Pentasuglia to continue reaching goals, enjoying her career without interruption, and making memories while traveling with her family. Since 2003, she has remained on nocturnal home hemodialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.
She has over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit and government sectors including program and fiscal management of grants, volunteer programs, and fraud detection. An advocate by nature, it was only natural her career path includes peer counseling, writing grants to obtain resources to help others and to assist nonprofits obtain resources that help those in need or crisis, and to champion others to succeed beyond society’s limitations on those with chronic disabilities.
A native of Utica, New York, Ms. Pentasuglia graduated from Utica College / Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations & Journalism, and from West Virginia University with a Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination.
Advocacy (current and previous):
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The Kidney Project: Patient Advisory Council
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National Kidney Foundation: Patient and Family Advisory Council