The renal fellowship program is based at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, which is an approximately 1000 bed quaternary care center that handles a diverse population of patients from the commonplace to the esoteric. The fellowship was started in 2006 with 3 fellows. The fellowship provides an opportunity to experience all areas of nephrology, including general nephrology consults, dialysis, hypertension, and transplantation as well as clinical research activities. The fellowship is for a 2-year duration. In the first year the fellow focuses on clinical activities including general nephrology consults, training in dialysis (including CRRT, intermittent hemodialysis, CAPD and CCPD) and both inpatient and outpatient care of the renal transplant patient.. The second year gives the fellow more research exposure as well as elective rotations. The fellow is taught to be proficient in performing native and transplant kidney biopsies and insertion of temporary dialysis catheters Electives include critical care, renal imaging, interventional radiology and renal pathology at ProPath our nationally acclaimed renal pathology laboratory. The fellows are expected to perform clinical research activities and there are very active research protocols on campus. Throughout the year the fellows attend 4 weekly conferences: renal noon conference, All fellows have a ½ day continuity clinic in which they are responsible for the care of patients with chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, renal stone disease and electrolyte disorders. In addition the fellows are assigned a dialysis shift where they learn the intricacies of care of the patients with end-stage renal disease.
The Nephrology Division has 14 active faculty staff members with vast experience in providing up-to-date training in the diagnosis and management of patients with renal disease, acid-base electrolyte disorders, complicated hypertension and renal replacement therapies.
Our fellows continue to excel. In the last 10 years we have had a 100% ABIM board passage rate and over the last 3 years our fellows have scored in the top 10% in the Nephrology In-Training Examination. Unlike most other programs where the fellows carry services of 20 to 25 patients we keep the numbers under 15. This allows the fellows to concentrate on their education as opposed to providing service. Because of their excellence almost all the graduating fellows obtain their first choice in employment.
