Peninsula Kidney Associates has been serving patients with chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances and hypertension since 2003. Their highly skilled physicians develop strong relationships with each patient that are built on individualized treatment and quality care. Each care provider is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for each patient they serve.
Over the past 15 years, Peninsula Kidney Associates has grown rapidly from a two-physician practice with one location to a team of eight providers in three locations. The caring team of board-certified nephrologists and certified advance practice providers includes:
• Joanne Siu, MD. Dr. Siu is a general nephrologist who specializes in renal ultrasound to diagnose kidney conditions. She also works with the practice’s Clinical Trials program. Using her 16 years of experience, she also helps patients prevent and manage kidney disease through the Chronic Kidney Disease Education program.
• Olayiwola Ayodeji, MD, MPH, FACP. Dr. Ayodeji serves as the director of the clinical research program. He is a founding member of Peninsula Kidney Associates and has 25 years of experience caring for patients with kidney disease. He also serves as the medical director of DaVita Newmarket Dialysis Center and the DaVita Home Training Center.
• Hoang-Hai Nguyen, MD. Dr. Nguyen is a general nephrologist who specializes in providing expert care for patients before and after kidney transplant. He also serves as medical director for the DaVita Home Center of Excellence.
• Shuping Wang, MD. Dr. Wang provides outstanding care to patients in Williamsburg. She has 13 years of experience in nephrology and is passionate about geriatric care. She is fluent in both Chinese and English.
• Linda Jones-Brandon, CFNP. Ms. Jones is a Certified Clinical Research Professional with years of nursing experience caring for patients with kidney disease, heart disease and other internal medicine concerns. She works as the Lead Study Coordinator for the Clinical Research Program in addition to caring for patients.
• Jessica Willis MSN, FNP-BC. Ms. Willis has more than 5 years of experience caring for patients undergoing dialysis and treatment for kidney disease.
With so many providers on staff, Peninsula Kidney Associates generally sees new patients within one week of referral. They partner with referring physicians to ensure each patient receives the care they need, when they need it.
Peninsula Kidney Associates offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. They provide a wide range of services so patients can receive the care they need in one place. Services include:
• Anemia management. Using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, nephrologists manage anemia and improve quality of life.
• Chronic kidney disease education. This free, one-on-one course helps patients understand their condition and their treatment choices.
• Chronic kidney disease treatment. For patients with chronic kidney disease, Peninsula Kidney Associates offers education, medicine management, dialysis and transplant management.
• Dialysis. Peninsula Kidney Associates offers hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis both in centers and on an at-home basis. They provide training for at-home dialysis care for family members and patients.
• Hypertension treatment. Peninsula Kidney Associates physicians strive to help patients manage blood pressure and prevent damage to the kidneys.
• Post-transplant care. Dr. Nguyen provides expert, comprehensive management of all kidney transplant recipients, preventing infection and rejection of the new kidney. All physicians also offer kidney transplant referrals.
• Renal ultrasound. To identify masses on the kidneys or other kidney conditions, Dr. Siu offers expert assessment with renal ultrasound.
Since 2004, Peninsula Kidney Associates’ expert physicians have participated in national clinical trials and research to explore new and effective treatments. These studies into chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease give patients more treatment options and access to the latest medicines.
Since the practice opened, Peninsula Kidney Associates has continued to grow and expand. To support this growth, two nephrologists have joined the medical staff.
Merfake Semret, MD, completed his medical education at Addis Ababa University Medical Faculty, his residency training at Wayne State University in Detroit, and his fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota before joining Peninsula Kidney Associates. He cares for patients at both the Newport News and Hampton locations, specializing in the management of hypertension and kidney disease.
Dr. Semret was inspired to join the nephrology specialty after conducting research with a nephrologist before his residency. He realized the patient population was in great need of medical care and attention.
“It’s a very complicated patient population,” says Dr. Semret. “It is very satisfying to help them and see them improving.”
Dr. Semret takes time to get to know all his patients so he can provide personalized care. He even calls each patient with their lab results, ensuring they understand what the results mean for their health.
Since 2011, he has enjoyed working with the great staff at Peninsula Kidney Associates and living in the Hampton Roads area with his wife and three children. He plans to practice on the Peninsula for many years.
In 2017, Lei Chen, MD, joined Peninsula Kidney Associates. After earning his medical degree at China Medical University, he moved to the United States to earn his PhD at University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at East Tennessee State University and his fellowship training at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas.
Prior to moving to Hampton Roads, Dr. Chen practiced in New Mexico. He now provides care at the Williamsburg office.
“I joined Peninsula Kidney Associates because of the quality of the physician partners,” says Dr. Chen. “They are very solid clinically as well as very amiable and easy to work with.”
Dr. Chen finds it rewarding to care for the same patients for years. He takes his patients’ needs seriously, always providing the highest quality care possible. He also helps to coordinate their care with their other specialty and primary care physicians, ensuring all physicians are up-to-date on the patient’s health.
Both Dr. Chen and Dr. Semret’s dedication to their patients is a reflection of the care all patients receive at Peninsula Kidney Associates. Each compassionate staff member strives to ensure patients have a positive experience from the moment they step in the door.
As the need for quality nephrology care continues to grow, Peninsula Kidney Associates plans to expand their services, offering more dialysis locations and education opportunities. They currently assist patients at hospitals throughout the area, including:
• Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital
• Sentara CarePlex Hospital
• Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
They also manage care at nine DaVita Dialysis locations in the Peninsula and Williamsburg area and see patients in three conveniently located outpatient offices:
PKA Hampton
501 Butler Farm Road Suite I,
Hampton, VA 23666
PKA Newport News
716 Denbigh Boulevard Suite A5,
Newport News, VA 23602
PKA Williamsburg
205 Bulifants Blvd Suite A
Williamsburg, VA 23188
To refer a patient to Peninsula Kidney Associates, please determine which physician and location is right for your patient. For more information, you can call us at 757-251-7469 in Newport News or Hampton or 757-345-5876 in Williamsburg. Or, visit our website peninsulakidneyassociates.com
