Dr. Wendy St. Peter is a distinguished Professor at the College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, renowned for her extensive expertise in nephrology pharmacy and chronic kidney disease (CKD) management. Her career is marked by significant contributions to research, clinical practice, and education, establishing her as a leader in the field. Dr. St. Peter’s work focuses on enhancing medication management and improving drug safety for patients living with CKD, impacting patient care and shaping national guidelines.
Dr. St. Peter earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she also completed a fellowship in adult medicine, laying a strong foundation for her clinical and research pursuits. For several years, she served as a clinical practitioner at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, providing direct medication therapy management to patients undergoing dialysis and those with chronic kidney disease. This hands-on experience in medication management for dialysis and CKD patients solidified her commitment to this specialized area.
Her academic leadership roles include serving as Associate Dean and Director of the Division of Professional Education in the College of Pharmacy from 1997 to 2000, demonstrating her commitment to pharmacy education and curriculum development. In 2000, Dr. Wendy St. Peter expanded her impact by becoming an investigator with the Chronic Disease Research Group and the United States Renal Data System (USRDS, 2000-2014). These positions allowed her to delve deeper into pharmacoepidemiology and health outcomes research, further solidifying her expertise in CKD.
Dr. St. Peter’s research utilizes large datasets, including Medicare, commercial datasets, and electronic health records, to conduct pharmacoepidemiology and health economic and outcomes research. Her work provides critical insights into medication safety and effectiveness in the CKD population. Recognized for her expertise, she has served on multiple national technical expert panels focused on medication-related safety and quality measurement, influencing national standards and practices.
A testament to her leadership and influence, Dr. Wendy St. Peter is a Board member of the Kidney Health Initiative (KHI), a vital public-private partnership with the Food and Drug Administration, American Society of Nephrology, and numerous pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations. Her involvement with KHI underscores her commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing kidney health. Dr. St. Peter’s professional achievements are further highlighted by fellowships in prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Nephrology, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the National Kidney Foundation. Her current research interests are broad, encompassing prevention and treatment strategies for CKD symptoms, anemia, mineral and bone disease, and the complex intersection of heart failure, CKD, and acute kidney injury.
In addition to her research and service, Dr. Wendy St. Peter is dedicated to innovative teaching methods. Since 2014, she has implemented team-based learning (TBL) in her Kidney Fluid and Electrolytes course (Phar 6756), engaging approximately 170 students across the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Her passion for TBL led her to establish and lead a TBL Users group, fostering collaboration and best practices among faculty from the Colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. St. Peter’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her role as a corporate officer in Nephrology Pharmacy Associates. She also consults with various nephrology-related pharmaceutical companies, End-Stage Renal Network 11, and dialysis providers, further extending her reach and impact within the nephrology community. Her scholarly contributions are substantial, with numerous clinical publications and the development of training programs for pharmacists, other healthcare practitioners, and pharmaceutical sales teams.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Wendy St. Peter’s contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious awards and honors:
- Fellow of the National Kidney Foundation, 2011
- Finalist for the Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education Award, University of Minnesota, 2011
- Nominee for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Education Award, 2010
- Distinguished Practitioner, National Academies of Practice, 2008
- Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN), 2007
- Teacher of the Semester and Year Awards, PharmD Class of 2001, 2000
- Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (FCCP), 1996
- ACCP-Upjohn Pharmacoeconomics Research Award, 1995
Professional Affiliations
Dr. St. Peter actively participates in key professional organizations, holding significant positions:
- Board of Directors, Kidney Health Initiative (KHI)
- Medical Advisory Board, National Kidney Foundation
- Scientific Advisory Board, National Kidney Foundation
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) End-Stage Renal Disease Medication Reconciliation and Management Technical Expert Panel, 2017
- Kidney Care Quality Alliance (KCQA) Feasibility/Testing Workgroup, 2015-2016
- CMS Technical Expert Panel (TEP) for CKD/ESRD Medication Measures Project, 2006
- Technical Expert Panel (TEP) member for CMS End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Outpatient Medications Project, 2004-2005
- American Society of Nephrology
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy
Research Focus
Dr. Wendy St. Peter’s current pharmacoepidemiology research is centered on the effectiveness and safety of medications for chronic kidney disease patients and the impact of pharmacists and pharmacy services within evolving healthcare models.
Selected Funded Research Projects (2014-2018)
- Analytical Research Agreement, Minneapolis Research Foundation (now Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute), 2000-present
- United States Renal Data System Coordinating Center Contract: HHSN 267 2007 15002C (Basic NO1DK-7-5002) (Co-Investigator), 2007-2014
- Modifiable Practice-Based Factors Contributing to Acute Heart Failure Rehospitalization in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, U of MN AHC System-wide Engagement Grant, 2014-2015
- The burden of anemia in chronic kidney disease: an observational analysis in the U.S., Astra Zeneca, 2015-2016
- Refining Population Management Criteria to Optimize Return on Investment of Medication Management Services in Care Transitions, Kam-Chen Award, 2015-2017
- Prioritizing Symptoms of ESRD Patients for Developing Therapeutic Interventions (Co-Investigator), Kidney Health Initiative, 2016-2018
- Deprescribing for Older Dialysis Patients. (1K76AG059930-01 (Mentor), 2018-2021
Clinical Practice
Clinical Interests
Dr. St. Peter’s clinical expertise in nephrology was developed through her practice at Hennepin County Medical Center from 1988 to 1996. Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy since 1991, she provided invaluable consultation services in medication management for both inpatient and outpatient chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients.
Hospital Affiliation
Hennepin County Medical Center (1988-1996)
