In 2005, Nature Publishing Group (NPG) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) launched an international journal for readers with an interest in clinical kidney disease and hypertension. A distinguished Advisory Board was assembled with expertise in various areas including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic and other metabolic disorders, hypertension, dialysis, transplantation, hereditary kidney disease, pediatric nephrology, and fluid, acid–base and electrolyte disorders. The Advisory Board has worked with myself, the Editor-in-Chief, Editor and Associate Editors in recommending important topics, reviewing submissions and writing for the journal.

...I was honored to accept this challenging and enjoyable position

In April 2009, the journal was rebranded and relaunched as Nature Reviews Nephrology to more closely parallel NPG's life-science Reviews journals. Changes included improving the quality of figures and printing in full color. Research Highlights are now supplemented by In Brief vignettes of recent advances in relevant fields. The News & Views section (similar to the previously published Practice Points section) continues to address important clinical issues and discuss recent publications that have advanced the understanding and management of kidney disease. The number of Reviews written by international experts about important clinical issues has increased. Educational Case Studies are also included, with Robert Reilly, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, USA overseeing the submissions for this section of the journal.

The Editorial team, comprising Susan Allison, Rebecca Ireland, Baldo Lucchese and various Assistant and Production Editors are outstanding. All ISN members, approximately 7,300 individuals, receive the journal and the impact factor reflects the success of the journal to date.

In 2005, NPG and the ISN President at that time, Jan Weening, invited me to be the founding Editor-in-Chief for the journal and I was honored to accept this challenging and enjoyable position. The team comprising NPG and the ISN has been a true winner. I am finishing my 5 years as Editor-in-Chief and have been most pleased to be a part of this very successful collaboration.