Kidney disease disproportionately affects rural regions, where late diagnoses and long travel distances are common barriers
By Heather Thomas
Transplant nephrologist, Zaid Brifkani, MD, FASN describes his career as both a privilege and a profound journey shaped by his early experiences in Iraq, a passion for medicine, and a commitment to expanding world-class kidney care beyond major cities to rural communities.
His path to this remarkable career saving lives in the Upper Cumberland was defined by a deep calling and purpose. “I must say this has been an amazing journey for me, and it is still evolving” explains Dr. Brifkani. His medical mission has grown to encompass five hospitals, seven dialysis centers and four clinics, all working together to meet the region’s rising need for coordinated nephrology and transplant services.
He first came to the Upper Cumberland as a hospitalist at Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) before his nephrology and transplant training. The community left a lasting impression on the young doctor. His interest in kidney medicine began in medical school and ultimately led him back to Cookeville after transplant fellowship training.
“I fell in love with this community,” he said. “I felt called to return and be part of something that had not been done before.” His wife, Dr. Areeman Saed, a pharmacist who completed her clinical pharmacy residency at CRMC, has been an essential part of his success. “Her support made everything possible,” he shares.
Elevating Kidney Care in Rural America
“Growing up where health care was challenged with wars and poor access left in me a drive to always look for ways to help patients who might be at a disadvantage,” he said.
Kidney disease disproportionately affects rural regions, where late diagnoses and long travel distances are common barriers to critical and lifesaving care. Dr. Brifkani’s team prioritizes early referral, transplant readiness, home dialysis, and coordinated care with regional hospitals and transplant centers in the Upper Cumberland.
Dr. Brifkani explains, “I’ve always had a fascination with nephrology. It is a complex field with impact on multiple organ systems in the body.” Additionally, he explains, the field of organ transplantation is a relatively new area of intriguing aspects and challenges. It calls for more aggressive thinking outside the box and opportunities to be part of an ever-changing field that alters patients’ lives and their caregivers. The Kidney Clinic’s home dialysis outcomes rank among the strongest nationally. He recalls one of his most meaningful cases—a young transplant recipient who years after her transplant shared incredible news about the birth of her child. “It reminds you why the work matters,” he said.
A Growing Team Serving a Growing Need
The Kidney Care Clinic now includes five board-certified nephrologists—Drs. Gabino Maza, Rohan Kataria, Leanna Ritchie, Teresa Patterson, and Santhoshi Bavi—supported by advanced practice provider Taylor Russell, DNP. Together, they deliver a coordinated continuum of nephrology and transplant services across Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville and three Ascension hospitals: River Park, Highland and Woodbury. He credits his office manager, Tonya, as an unwavering foundation of the practice since Day One.
This regional footprint ensures that patients across multiple counties receive timely, consistent, high-quality specialty care close to home. As Dr. Brifkani notes, expanding access is essential to reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment—two factors that significantly influence long-term outcomes for individuals at risk of kidney failure. The Kidney Care Clinic offers alternative options of dialysis at home (with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis modalities) for those patients who are appropriate candidates.
An Extraordinary Physician and a Storyteller
In addition to medicine, Dr. Brifkani is a published novelist whose works explore the human cost of war. His novels The Mountains We Carry and Waters Under Baghdad trace themes of resilience, displacement and conflict—subjects deeply connected to his life experience. (Yes, he has found time to write novels.)
A Vision for the Future
Access and early detection remain central to improving kidney health across rural communities. Dr. Brifkani points to partnerships, such as discounted visits through county health departments as examples of how collaborative initiatives can remove financial barriers and reduce preventable complications.
He also highlights emerging technologies that support earlier monitoring, expand remote care options, and improve quality of life for patients who live far from major treatment hubs. “We want patients in rural America to have the same access to excellent kidney care as any patient in a big city,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Brifkani envisions the Upper Cumberland becoming a model for rural kidney care driven by strengthened community education, earlier diagnosis, and innovative care pathways that emphasize prevention and long-term health. Kidney disease is one of the most life-changing conditions for patients and most devastating challenges to the health care system. Rural America has the biggest share of this disease, with extra challenges of access to adequate and timely care. “The work is challenging,” he reflected. “But the opportunity to change lives makes every challenge worth it.”
This Healthcare Highlight is brought to you by SmartBank. For more information, visit the at 1080 Interstate Drive in Cookeville or call 931-372-2265.
SmartBank is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Photo via CRMC.
Copyright 2025 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
