The International Society for Hemodialysis (ISHD) was formed in 1999 by a group of world-renowned nephrologists who believed that the science and clinical practice of hemodialysis was being overlooked by the other major societies and journals in favor of molecular biology and other basic science-focused research endeavors. Their vision was to develop a society and journal focused primarily on the practice of clinical hemodialysis.

One of the foremost missions of the ISHD is to promote education and research in the field of hemodialysis (HD). Since its inception, ISHD and its flagship journal, Hemodialysis International, has addressed the science and clinical practice of hemodialysis, an important mode of therapy that in the past had been sorely overlooked in favour of other basic-science focused research.