Mark M. Mitsnefes, MD, MS

As a pediatric nephrologist, I specialize in treating hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a focus on cardiovascular risk factors. I believe that every patient is unique and requires an individualized approach, and every member of our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care.

In my practice, we use a team approach that includes an excellent group of nurses, dietitians, medical assistants, CKD nurse managers, social workers and pharmacists who have worked together for many years. We understand how important it is to get input from the family, and we emphasize family involvement in each child’s care.

We are one of very few practices in the U.S. that includes a team of both cardiologists and nephrologists taking care of patients with hypertension. Our chronic kidney disease program is one of the largest in the country providing complex care.

In addition to caring for patients, I’m involved in research. One of my major goals is to reduce the frequency of cardiovascular risk in children with CKD. Cardiovascular disease is one of their major complications, and many children with advanced CKD develop hypertension, high cholesterol levels, heart abnormalities and stiff arteries.

Since 2003, I have been involved in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study, which is a large, multicenter study of children with CKD. More than 1,000 children have been participating in this study from more than 50 centers in the U.S. and Canada. I lead the cardiovascular arm of this large study, with the main goals of identifying cardiovascular risk factors and finding the best approach to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease and reduce its frequency.

I’m honored to have received numerous awards, including the Procter Scholar Award from the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, the Pediatrician Scientist Award from the Children’s Health Research Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Clinical Scientist Award from the National Kidney Foundation. I’ve also received multiple grants from the NIH, the American Heart Association and the National Kidney Foundation. I’ve been invited to speak about my research and the clinical aspects of hypertension at centers around the world. I have also been on the list of Cincinnati Magazine’s list of Best Doctors since 2007.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with my family.