Consensus statement from the International Society of Glomerular Disease for Certification of Centers of Excellence in Glomerular Disease

In 2022, the International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD) was created to be a professional hub for the worldwide community of physicians, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in understanding, treating, and improving the outcomes of glomerular diseases (GDs). The Peer Support Committee of the ISGD seeks to provide support for ISGD members and the broader nephrology community to improve the care of patients with GD, assisting in diagnosis, treatment, and education. To achieve these goals, ISGD seeks to identify and certify Centers of Excellence (COEs) to provide comprehensive care for patients with GD, train the next generation of GD experts, conduct impactful GD research, and advocate for GD as a field of study and practice. In addition, COEs will facilitate mentorship and resource sharing to aid in the formation and development of additional COEs. In this white paper, we present the Consensus Statement of the ISGD for Certification of COE in GD. Criteria outlined will help ensure that this consensus statement fulfills the 4 mission areas of the program: clinical expertise, research, education, and advocacy. The criteria have been developed to be aspirational and rigorous, yet inclusive. In 2025, ISGD joined forces with GlomCon to create a unified COE program, leveraging each organization's strengths. Short-term goals include disseminating and implementing the standards for certification of COE in GD, as well as releasing an application in 2026. Longer-term goals include data collection and analysis, increased collaboration among centers, resource sharing, mentorship between centers, and the establishment of clinical trial networks and patient support groups.