Balboa Nephrology Medical Group

10/20/2026

Thank you, Tim Fitzpatrick of Signals, for featuring Dr. Patel’s presentation at A Hero’s Journey in your article, “The Heroes Hiding in Plain Sight.”

We appreciate you taking the time to write about the presentation and share it with your readers. It means a great deal to see a conversation from our event reach others in the community!

Read Tim’s article:
https://trfitzpatrick.substack.com/p/the-heroes-hiding-in-plain-sight

What one patient taught me about the things we miss, and how we can do better

10/14/2026

Balboa Nephrology is happy to share The Living Donation Project as a helpful resource for patients, families, and care teams navigating living donation.

Real stories from donors and transplant recipients can offer valuable perspective, encouragement, and connection.

Learn more: https://livingdonationstories.org/

10/06/2026

Good kidney care starts with understanding what life looks like outside the exam room. 💙

For Laura Oglesby, MSN, AGACNP-BC, that means paying attention to the real-life factors that can shape a patient’s health — from access to care and support at home to how comfortable someone feels understanding and participating in their treatment.

That perspective helps Laura meet patients where they are and support care that feels realistic, personal, and manageable.

We’re proud to feature Laura in our Meet Your Kidney Care Team series.

🌐 BalboaCare.com

09/29/2026

Understanding your care can make it easier to take an active role in it. 💙 For Sandy Ahearn, FNP-C, that means creating space for patients to ask questions, understand what’s happening with their health, and feel comfortable being part of the conversation.

Sandy works with Balboa Nephrology’s Oceanside care team and currently supports dialysis patients at Buena Creek and North Coast FMC dialysis clinics. Her goal is to help patients feel informed and confident as they navigate their kidney care.

We’re proud to feature Sandy in our Meet Your Kidney Care Team series.

🌐 BalboaCare.com

09/19/2026

Every transplant story is a reminder of what organ donation can make possible.

One year ago, Jeanmarie Ferguson was living with kidney failure and preparing for end-of-life care. Then she received a 4 a.m. call that changed everything: a kidney was available.

Now celebrating the first anniversary of her transplant, Jeanmarie shares the fear, disbelief, gratitude, and hope surrounding that life-changing moment.

We are honored to share her story and recognize the extraordinary gift of organ donation.

Could you help change someone’s story? If you have ever considered becoming a living kidney donor, contact a transplant center to learn about the evaluation process and what donation may involve.

If you are living with kidney disease, awaiting a transplant, or caring for someone you love, peer support is also available. ReMend.org can connect you with a mentor who has faced a similar journey—because no one should have to navigate kidney disease alone.

Thank you to LifeSharing for helping bring Jeanmarie’s experience to others who may be waiting, wondering, or hoping for their own call.

A year ago, Lifesharing volunteer Jeanmarie Ferguson was in kidney ...

09/16/2026

Sometimes the most important part of a healthcare visit is feeling like someone truly listened. 💙

That’s something Jennifer Olesco, FNP-BC, brings to her work with patients throughout the South Bay.

Jennifer values the relationship behind the care — taking time to understand concerns, answer questions, and help patients feel comfortable speaking up about what they need.

We’re proud to feature Jennifer in our Meet Your Kidney Care Team series.

🌐 BalboaCare.com

09/08/2026

Kidney care is personal. 💙

Meet Joe Gonzales, DNP, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner with Balboa Nephrology in El Centro.

As both a healthcare provider and kidney transplant recipient, Joe brings a unique perspective to patient care. He works closely with our nephrologists to help patients feel informed, supported and connected throughout their kidney journey.

Your nephrologist. Your NP. One connected care team.

📍 Balboa Nephrology | El Centro
📞 760-353-0404
🌐 BalboaCare.com

09/05/2026

Sharing this free ReMend resource for anyone who may benefit from peer connection and support along the kidney journey.

Providing peer mentoring and support for those living with CKD and ESRD. Connect, learn, and share experiences to improve kidney health and resilience.

09/04/2026

More special moments from A Hero’s Journey 2026.

From meaningful conversations and patient perspectives to education, connection and a little fun along the way, there were so many moments from August 25 worth sharing.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the day what it was. We’re still reflecting on the conversations, connections and perspectives that came out of this year’s event.

8.25.26 | A Hero’s Journey

09/02/2026

A Hero’s Journey 2026 was more than an education day. It was a rare opportunity to bring an entire nephrology team together around something that can easily get lost in the pace of healthcare: the full human experience of kidney disease.

Created by Balboa Nephrology in partnership with ReMend, the day brought physicians, team members, mentors, caregivers and community partners into the same space to learn from one another—not only about kidney care, but about what patients carry with them beyond the exam room.

We heard powerful patient and caregiver perspectives, explored living donation and whole-person care, learned directly from physicians and experts, and connected our team with resources they can bring back to the people they serve.

You don’t often see a nephrology practice and a patient-focused nonprofit come together to create this kind of experience for an entire organization. That is what makes A Hero’s Journey so important—and why the conversations that started that day matter long after the event ends.

Thank you to every speaker, partner, sponsor and team member who helped make it possible.