Dr. Raymond M. Hakim

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Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Raymond M. Hakim, who serves patients in Nashville, Tennessee.

With four decades of experience in the medical field, Dr. Hakim has certainly proven himself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field of nephrology. Currently, he serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Monogram Health, as well as an attending physician at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a medical provider with multiple hospitals in Nashville, as well as clinics and facilities throughout Middle Tennessee. It is an independent non-profit organization but maintains academic affiliations with Vanderbilt University. As stated on their website “Through the exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, Vanderbilt will lead in improving the healthcare of individuals and communities regionally, nationally, and internationally. We will combine our transformative learning programs and compelling discoveries to provide distinctive personalized care.” 

From 1981 to 1987, Dr. Hakim served on the faculty of Harvard University and was an Associate Professor of Medicine and on staff at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1987, he joined the faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine as a Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Clinical Division of Nephrology. He was also the Medical Director of the Vanderbilt Dialysis Unit.

In 1995, Dr. Hakim became one of the founders of Renal Care Group, which had one of the lowest mortality and morbidity among all other dialysis providers in 2005-2006, as published by the USRDS. This distinction was achieved despite rapid growth in the number of patients served by RCG, which became public in 1996 with less than 3,000 patients in its facilities, and was serving more than 30,400 dialysis patients at the time of its merger with Fresenius Medical Care in 2007. Dr. Hakim was subsequently appointed as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Clinical & Scientific Affairs for Fresenius Medical Services and maintained that position until 2012 when he returned to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

In preparation for his career, Dr. Hakim earned his Master of Science degree in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1965, followed by his Doctorate degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1967. He subsequently earned his medical degree in 1976 from McGill University – Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Royal Victoria Hospital in 1979. From 1979 to 1981, he served as a research and clinical fellow in medicine and nephrology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, before joining the Faculty of Harvard University Medical School in 1981.

In addition to being a member of the American Society of Nephrology,  Renal Physicians Association and the International Society of Nephrology, he is board-certified in both internal medicine and nephrology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

A respected voice in the medical industry, he has held numerous leadership roles with professional organizations, including past Chairman of the Renal Leadership Council and the Kidney Care Partners, past member of the Public Policy Board of the American Society of Nephrology, former board member of the American Association of Kidney Patients, and former Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of Prometic.

With a list of accomplishments and accolades that are beyond impressive, Dr. Hakim has received many awards and has been featured in numerous publications multiple years in a row such as Marquis Who’s Who, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, and Who’s Who in the World. For 2018, he was selected as Top Professor of the Year in Nephrology by the International Association of Top Professionals and recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, he was honored with the Belding H. Scribner Award from the American Society of Nephrology. In 2011, he was presented with the American Association of Kidney Patients Medal of Excellence Award. In 2009, he was honored with the Joel D. Kopple Award from the National Kidney Foundation. In 2007 and 1994, he was recognized as one of America’s Top Physicians and elected to Best Doctors in America numerous years in a row. In 1982, he received the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Aside from his successful career, Dr. Hakim is also a sought after lecturer, speaker, editor, and published author.  He has authored and co-authored more than 200 articles in professional journals and chapters in books. He has also served on the editorial board of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Seminars of Dialysis, and Kidney International. 

Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes. 

Looking back, Dr. Hakim attributes his success to his hard work, experience, education and, mentors he has had along the way and to staying passionate in all of his endeavors. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. 

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