Dr. Eliot C. Heher, MD

Transplant Nephrologist & Founder

Dr. Heher is a Transplant Nephrologist and the founder in 2020 of Square Knot Health, which uses telehealth and patient navigators to guide people with kidney disease towards transplantation. He is a Transplant Nephrologist at UMass Memorial Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at UMass Chan School of Medicine. From 2006-2020, he was a Transplant Nephrologist and then Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. Heher is a graduate of Harvard College and Medical School, and served as a medical resident on the Osler medical service at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a nephrology fellow at Brigham & Women’s Hospital & Massachusetts General Hospital, and a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jullie Hoggan, MS

Founding Navigator

Jullie was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) at the age of 26 and despite efforts to keep her kidney function stable, she spent 20 years watching it fall. She is the grateful recipient of two tiny kidneys, donated by the generous family of a baby, on what was likely their very worst day. While working through the complex system to become listed for a kidney transplant, before needing dialysis, Jullie found almost everyone she encountered was already on dialysis. She realized then she wanted to find a way to bring transplant education to people earlier, so they might avoid or minimize dialysis. Jullie found encouragement in a local support group and is now one of the facilitators for this group. She has experienced the worry and anxiety many with chronic kidney disease face and has been guiding and supporting others in this situation for the last 15 years. Jullie was previously a hospital-based Speech-Language Pathologist but left her position following her kidney transplant in 2020, at the start of the pandemic. While this was difficult, it led her to Dr. Heher and her wonderful Square Knot Health colleagues, for which she is incredibly thankful. Jullie is the member of several book clubs and loves spending time with her husband and daughter near the ocean or being out on the water whale and dolphin watching.

“Watching your kidney function fall is incredibly stressful. Our team provides the kind and attentive care we all wish we had during our own journey through kidney disease, kidney transplant, or living kidney donation.”

Laurie White M.Ed, NBC-HWC

Navigator

Laurie had the profound honor of donating a kidney to her youngest son when he was 2 years old. She has helped to manage his care post-transplant for more than 22 years which makes for a unique perspective of both donor and recipient. She has felt those rollercoaster feelings over those many years and is fortunate to now be able to help patients as they go down their own individual paths with chronic kidney disease. Laurie’s prior work as an educator helps her meet patients right where they are. She became nationally board certified as a health and wellness coach in 2021 to expand her knowledge regarding lifestyle changes that are most impactful for patients. It is important to Laurie to listen deeply to the patient, identify obstacles, offer support, and serve as a guide through an often-complicated healthcare system.

Michelle Israel

Navigator

Michelle is a registered nurse who discovered her son's elevated blood pressure quite by accident while taking the family's blood pressure during the 2020 pandemic. He was twenty years old, home from college due to the pandemic, and seemingly healthy. Further testing revealed he had a gene deletion which resulted in a diagnosis of a rare disease: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). Preserving remaining kidney function became top priority while pursuing steps to find a living kidney donor amongst family and friends. Although her son had a peritoneal dialysis catheter placed in August 2024, the process to secure a kidney from a family member is hopefully drawing to a close and transplant surgery will soon be scheduled.

Watching a loved one lose kidney function and experience all the associated symptoms is a stressful and anxiety filled process. Having knowledgeable advocates, such as Square Knot Health Navigators, to offer guidance and support is exactly the missing link to understanding options, how to best manage remaining kidney function, avoid dialysis and achieve best possible outcomes. Because the Navigators all have first-hand experience with CKD, they ‘get it’ and will step in the gap with you.

Michelle had previously worked full time as an RN in obstetrics, however she now chooses to lend her efforts as a Navigator while managing her son's journey to transplant. She also spends as much time outdoors as time permits: gardening, backpacking, camping, trail running and hiking. Other interests include international travel, reading, art projects, visiting art museums and spending time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Wdow, M.Ed

Navigator

Elizabeth’s husband received a kidney from a wonderful friend almost 25 years ago. She understands the process of preparing for and living with a donor kidney and is thankful for the enormous difference this transplant made in the lives of her husband, herself and their two children.

Elizabeth strongly believes Square Knot Health is an organization her family would have benefitted from all those years ago. Her personal transplantation journey, as well as the skills she acquired advocating for students with complex needs will help chronic kidney disease patients navigate the complicated healthcare system.

When not working, Elizabeth likes to travel, especially to see family in the UK, spend time with her children, cook new recipes, read, knit, cycle and hike with her husband and friends.

Julie Napear

Navigator Support

Julie Napear has been living with chronic illness since she was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 14. She received a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) diagnosis in her late 20s and was added to the transplant list before age 40; she joined the Square Knot team as a way to make the arduous process of navigating CKD easier for others. Julie has been a self-employed photographer for the better part of two decades and owns a second business making kids' clothing and as a sewing teacher. She is passionate about disability justice and lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her two children and her husband, the latter of whom became a living kidney donor in 2023!

Finn Israel

Navigator Support

Finn was diagnosed with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) at age 20, during the early days of the 2020 pandemic. While studying Marine Science at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, Finn returned to California’s central coast to be with his family. A routine blood pressure check by his mom uncovered dangerously high readings, leading to the discovery of his chronic kidney disease. A lengthy diagnostic process confirmed aHUS, a rare genetic condition affecting kidney function. Since then, Finn had been focused on preserving his kidney health while preparing for a preemptive kidney transplant. Despite these efforts, he began peritoneal dialysis in August 2024 and is optimistic about receiving a living donor kidney transplant soon.

Finn knows firsthand the challenges of living with chronic kidney disease—the uncertainty, stress, and fatigue. This experience, coupled with the support of the knowledgeable health professionals at Square Knot Health, has inspired him to join their advocacy for others navigating similar journeys. Outside of health challenges, he is enthusiastic about anything outdoors; hiking, backpacking, and enjoying the beach. Finn also enjoys beekeeping with his dad, and gardening with his mom. His culinary skills are often used for his friends and family, and is currently working on his first cookbook.