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Leardership and Clinical Endorcements
Patrick Colson - Founder and President
A proud Operating Engineer from Local 12, Patrick has spent his career mastering the discipline of skilled labor—a perspective that now defines his role as a leader in patient advocacy. As a Patient Advocate and AAKP Ambassador, Patrick bridges the gap between the clinical world and the everyday reality of the "blue-collar" patient. While navigating the transplant process at UCI and UCSD, he recognized a need for the same structural support and camaraderie found in the trades. Through Nephro Warriors, Patrick applies his experience in operations and infrastructure to lead the Nephro Corps and Battle Buddies initiatives, advocating for kidney warriors with the pride and resilience of a lifelong builder.
Cortney Colson - Co-Founder, Vice President and Director of Battle Buddies
Cortney is a management professional and the Co-Founder of Nephro Warriors, where she leads the mission to support the "warriors behind the warriors." Since her husband's diagnosis, Cortney has been the primary "Battle Buddy" in their Home Hemo Dialysis (HHD) journey, a role she took on to ensure a better quality of life for their family. Drawing on her management experience at UPS, she spearheads the Battle Buddies initiative to provide the resources and answers she wished were available on day one. A believer in the power of speaking up and staying positive, Cortney is passionate about educating care partners on their options and helping them navigate the unknown with grit, creativity, and resilience.
Michael Chambers - Clinical Advisor
Michael Chambers brings a rare, dual-perspective to Nephro Warriors that few in the clinical field possess. Long before becoming a licensed Dialysis Technician, Michael served as the Battle Buddy for his own brother, navigating the frontline of kidney disease as a dedicated care partner. This foundational experience shaped his career, instilling a "patient-first" philosophy that defines his work today. Having personally trained Patrick and Cortney in their transition to Home Hemodialysis, Michael combines professional clinical mastery with the lived empathy of a family caregiver. He serves as a vital bridge between technical medical requirements and the heartbeat of the home-care environment.