The University of Chicago Fellowship Program in Nephrology prepares physicians for careers in clinical nephrology and/or basic or clinical translational investigation. The program best suits the needs of physicians whose long-term interests lie within academic medicine.

The first year is generally devoted to clinical nephrology training. Fellows develop expertise in the evaluation and management of fluid and electrolyte disorders, hypertension, acute and chronic renal failure, renal transplantation, glomerulonephritis, nephrolithiasis, bone and mineral metabolism, and renal disorders in pregnancy.

At the beginning of the second year, fellows elect either the Clinical Investigator Pathway, to acquire expertise in clinical translational investigation, supplemented by advanced training in clinical nephrology or the Basic Scientist Pathway, to acquire research training in the basic science laboratory of a faculty member. The goal of both pathways is to provide exposure to modern research techniques, cultivate a scholarly approach to both clinical and scientific problem-solving, and disseminate research results in Section seminars, national scientific meetings, and scientific journal articles.

The minimum requirements for admission to our fellowship program are:

1. M.D. or equivalent degree and
2. Successful completion of an approved residency in internal medicine.
3. Commitment to 3-year Nephrology Fellowship training program, including 2 years of research training.

Clinical Investigator Pathway

Clinical investigation during the second year is required. Additional years of clinical research training are available, contingent on grant support. The Nephrology faculty direct a broad range of ongoing clinical research projects. Fellows receive both formal and hands-on training in clinical research methods and are integral elements in the design and execution of research projects. Second year fellows may apply for enrollment in the NIH-funded 2 year clinical research training program (CRTP). Fellows in this track also receive advanced clinical training in outpatient clinics in transplantation, renal osteodystrophy, nephrolithiasis, critical care nephrology, and home dialytic therapies.

Basic Scientist Pathway

Basic Scientist Pathway Fellows receive training for at least two years in the laboratory of one of the Nephrology faculty members. Ongoing clinical duties include a continuing weekly half-day outpatient clinic, calls and participation in clinical conferences. In addition, weekly conferences are held in the laboratories of Drs. F. Gary Toback, Robert Hoover, Richard Quigg, Charles Heilig, Patrick Cunningham, Jian Zhang, Daniel Levy and Tipu Puri.