Dr. Robert J. Heyka was honored as the Person of the Year by the Kidney Foundation of Ohio (KFO)  at its 22nd annual benefit at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown.

Said Deb Damas, chairman of the KFO board and of the benefit that drew 220 guests, “Dr. Heyka has been a stellar supporter of the renal community” in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication. At the Cleveland Clinic since 1987, Dr. Heyka is the interim chairman of the department of nephrology and hypertension and medical director for the FMC/Cleveland Clinic East (Fairhill) Dialysis Center. Ms. Damas expected the event to raise $140,000 with 100 percent of the proceeds staying in the community providing medication assistance, transportation reimbursement and emergency grant funding.

Andy Baskin, NewsChannel 5 sports director, was emcee for the evening that included silent and live auctions, a wine pull, dinner and the program. Featured speakers were Tracy and Patrick Ianni, whose now three-and-a-half-year-old daughter was born with only one kidney. Dr. Martin Schreiber of the Clevela

nd Clinic made the award presentation to Dr. Heyka, his colleague and friend of many years. The evening concluded with music for dancing provided by Shock Wave. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KATHRYN RIDDLE