The Nephrology Fellowship Training Program offers a unique balance and depth in both clinical and research training. The first year for all fellows is primarily focused on clinical training. For fellows intent on an academic career, two or three additional years are largely devoted to mentor-directed research in basic science, outcomes/epidemiology, or clinical research. For fellows interested in a career in clinical nephrology, the second year is largely clinical with rotations in various areas of nephrology, as well as a number of elective rotations in related disciplines.
Learn more about the fellowship's reserach and clinial training below.
First Year
During the first year, fellows rotate at both the University of Michigan Hospital (UH) and the Ann Arbor VA (VA). At UH, the fellows rotate through the general floor consult, ICU consult, chronic dialysis, and transplant services. The consult service offers a rich and diverse exposure to both common and obscure renal diseases. The ICU service will train you in all aspects of critical care nephrology, including CRRT with regional citrate anticoagulation. The chronic dialysis service provides ongoing dialysis support for patients hospitalized for dialysis related complications as well as other medical and surgical problems. This service is staffed by one attending, one fellow, and one physician assistant. The transplant service cares for all renal transplants (new transplants and post-transplant complications) as well as renal disease in other solid organ transplant patients. This service is staffed by a transplant nephrologist, a transplant fellow, and a nephrology fellow. There is also an ongoing, daily interaction with the transplant surgery team. On all UH nephrology rotations, our fellows serve exclusively in a consulting role. The VA service provides comprehensive nephrology consultation and is staffed by one attending, one fellow, two medical residents, and additional medical students.
We have many support systems in place for our first year fellows. Each fellow is paired up with a second year fellow as a resource for logistical questions and general support. The interventional nephrology unit faculty are available for training in nephrology procedures. The chief fellow works to address any scheduling needs and advocate for the fellows.
Second Year
During the second year, fellows have the flexibility to define their clinical training based on their interests. The core training during this year is focused on training in the outpatient nephrology setting. Fellows continue their 1/2 day continuity clinic. Additionally, they will have their own outpatient dialysis shift and transplant clinic. Rotations are available in nephrolithiasis, glomerular diseases, lupus clinic, home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, vascular access clinic, interventional nephrology, as well as palliative care. Outside of nephrology, fellows may also rotate in renal pathology, GU radiology, pheresis, and pediatric nephrology. A structured curriculum in research and quality improvement, led by faculty experts, is provided with participation in a second year group QI project. All fellows have the opportunity to attend the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week.
Learn more about outpatient training at Michigan
All fellows complete a research project of their choice during their second year. The project can be mentored by any of the diverse faculty in the division or outside the division. It can span basic science, translational, clinical or epidemiological topics. For fellows invested in an academic career, an optional 3rd year of research training is available.
Multiple faculty members and medical school resources are available to fellows interested in basic science and translational research:
- For fellows new to this type of research, formal training in laboratory techniques is available in the summer of the second year through a nine-week Postdoctoral Research Training Program. There are no clinical responsibilities during this time.
- The George M. O'Brien Renal Center at the University of Michigan offers a range of support for young investigators interested in translational research.
- Several basic science nephrology faculty members are available as mentors in diverse areas of nephrology.
Multiple faculty members and medical school resources are available to fellows interested in clinical research:
- For fellows new to this type of research, a master's level training program is offered by the Department of Biostatistics and available through the School of Public Health. The On Job/On Campus (OJOC) program is a 20-month program offering training in clinical trial design and advanced biostatistics.
- Master of Science in Clinical Research is also offered through the School of Public Health.
- Training in medical education is available through the Community of Medical Educators in Training (CoMet).
- The U-M Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center offers learning and research opportunities.
- Arbor Research Collaborative for Health has many ongoing clinical cohort studies, including DOPPS and CureGN.
- The Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI) Clinician Scholars Program has opportunities for training in health policy research.
Expand your career trajectory in a high-volume academic medical center that also supports and excels in a wide range of basic science, translational and clinical research programs.