Researchers
Deborah Zimmerman

Deborah Zimmerman

Scientist, Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Full Professor, Department of Medicine

University of Ottawa

Contact

dzimmerman@ottawahospital.on.ca

613-738-8400 ext 82534

ORCID 0000-0003-0000-8806

Bio

I joined the Division of Nephrology in 1999 after completing medical school and Internal Medicine Residency in Calgary; Nephrology Fellowship and MSc in Clinical Epidemiology in Toronto. I was promoted to Full Professor in 2020 and Scientist in 2023. My clinical time is spent on the wards at the General and Civic campuses, Hemodialysis and Home Dialysis at the Riverside Campus and a general nephrology clinic at the Riverside Campus. My research has focused primarily on the care of patients treated with dialysis including in-centre hemodialysis, home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. I am interested in exploring ways to enhance quality of life and reduce frailty for this population using different methodologies including but not limited to clinical trials.

Research Goals and Interests

Hemodialysis
Cardiovascular Disease
Home Dialysis
Exercise
Quality of Life

My current research in clinical trials includes completing the CIHR funded exercise trial and getting the CIHR funded INCH trial started. The KRC research staff are will also be starting the Transition to Dialysis Trial. The International ACHIEVE trial, of which we are a recruiting site, should complete enrollment in the next year. I am also working with a medical student on a scoping review for the University of Ottawa Summer Studentship and have submitted a grant to BEAP

I am currently trying to understand MDClone. I will be doing peer review for the CIHR Clinical Trials Project this fall and joining the College of Reviewers. 

News

Publications

Visceral adipose tissue is associated with changes in leptin, FGF-23 and vitamin D metabolism in chronic kidney disease

2026-03-16 Go to publication

Objective and Subjective Measures of Sleep Quality in Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-03-01 Go to publication

Social determinants of health and the transition from advanced chronic kidney disease to kidney failure

2023-06-30 Go to publication

Inhibit progression of coronary artery calcification with vitamin K in hemodialysis patients (the iPACK-HD study): a randomized, placebo-controlled multi-center, pilot trial

2023-02-28 Go to publication

A Simple Exercise Program for Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease to Improve Strength and Quality of Life: Clinical Research Protocol

2023-01-01 Go to publication
View More on ORCiD

2022-2027 Canada in the INCremental Dialysis to Improve Outcomes in People Starting Hemodialysis (CAN-INCH-HD) Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PI Dr. C. Lok/Dr. D. Zimmerman. $654,075. 5 yrs 2021-2022 International Peritoneal Dialysis Exercise Practices and Perceptions (IPEP) – Feb 2021-2022. PI – Paul Bennett. $10,000 US dollars. 2021-2023 A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a CKD specific telemonitoring platform to minimize adverse outcomes in high risk CKD. CIHR. Co-I. PI – Claudio Rigatto. 2021-2023 3 yrs. $562,275. 2018-2021 A Simple Exercise Program for Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease to Improve Strength and Quality of Life: A Feasibility Study. Start date Oct, 2018. CIHR. $252,450. PI. 2018-2019 Inhibit Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification with Vitamin K in Hemodialysis patients: The iPACK-HD study. 1 year. CIHR Bridge Funding $100,000. PI Holden, Rachel. Co-investigator. 2016-2
2016-2022 Aldosterone Antagonism and Enhanced Clearance for Health Improvement Evaluation in End-Stage Disease (ACHIEVE)Trial. CIHR. 2,652,816. 6 yrs. Co-Investigator. March 2016 for 6 yrs.
2015-2016 Protection of the Heart with Aldosterone Antagonism in End-Stage Renal Disease (Phase 2) Trial. Start date July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016. Bridge Funding. $100,000. Co- Investigator.
2015-2018- Inhibit the Progression of Arterial Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients: A multi-Centre Pilot Study. CIHR. Start date July 2015-June 30, 2018. $321.747.00. Co-investigator.
2014-2015 Inhibit the progression of arterial calcification in hemodialysis patients: A multi-center pilot study CIHR Bridge Funding $100,000 Co-Investigator
2014 Patient’s choice for vascular access and health literacy. Department of Medicine Patient Quality and Safety Committee. Principal Investigator. $9535
2012-2015 Development of a “Phosphate Counting Program” on an iTouch to simplify Self-Management of Dietary Phosphate by Patients with ESRD Treated with Peritoneal Dialysis. Renal Discoveries. Baxter Health Care Corporation (External Peer Review). $156,000.00, Principal Investigator.
2011-2013 A pilot study to develop a predictive tool for assessing the risk of peritoneal dialysis technique failure for patients receiving Peritoneal Dialysis therapy. Clinical Evidence Council – PD; Baxter Health Care Corporation, Co-investigator. $130,000
2008-13. Genetic Markers of Risk in Hemodialysis Patients. CIHR. 3,625,000 Co-Investigator.
2008-14 Canadian Study of Prediction of Risk and Evolution to Dialysis, Death and Interim Cardiovascular Events Over Time (CanPreddict). OrthoBiotech Inc. $162,430.00, Co-Investigator.
2010 Canadian Society of Nephrology Intensive Dialysis Guidelines Canadian Society of Nephrology, $10,000, Principal Investigator
2010-2012 Effect of an Upper Arm Vascular Access on Left Ventricular Mass and Function. PSI Foundation. $169,000/2yrs. Co-investigator.

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