Nephrology Fellowship Program
William E., Mitch, M.D., FASN, FAHA
Nephrology Fellowship Training Program Director
The mission of the Baylor College of Medicine Nephrology Fellowship Program is to provide outstanding training in the subspecialty of Nephrology and prepare scientists and physicians for an academic career and obtain the Subspecialty Boards certification in Nephrology (of the past 3 years, all fellows have passed the exam).
Our curriculum strives to ensure the opportunity for clinical fellows to achieve the cognitive knowledge, procedural skills, interpersonal skills, professional attitudes, humanistic qualities, and practical experience required of a Nephrology subspecialist. For those seeking an academic career, we offer a research track which provides the fundamental knowledge and expertise to pursue a basic-or clinical research based-career in an academic institution. Each Nephrology fellow is assigned to a faculty member who functions as his/her mentor. The fellow is also regularly counseled by Drs. Mitch and Ramanathan (Director of Clinical Nephrology Training).
Clinical fellows are trained to manage a variety of conditions, including fluid and electrolyte and acid-base disorders, diabetic nephropathy, renal disorders associated with pregnancy, urologic disorders including urinary tract obstruction and urolithiasis, chronic renal failure, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation. There is also in training in hypertension, acute renal failure and home dialysis training. The CLINICAL TRACK consists of a two-year program, which involves in-patient consultations at several major hospitals within the Texas Medical Center; continuity care of patients with hypertension/kidney disease is taught at continuity outpatient clinics at the Ben Taub and DeBakey VA Medical Center. This training is coupled with an extensive educational program that includes structured clinical attending rounds, a weekly Renal Grand Rounds, weekly Clinical Case Conference, a Renal Biopsy Conference, Journal Clubs, and a Morbidity and Mortality Conference. There is also a Visiting Professor Program to enhance a fellow’s education. Second year fellows receive funding to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. Competency in a variety of procedures will be achieved, including hemodialysis, catheter placement for temporary dialysis, prescribing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and performing and interpreting the renal biopsy. Education will also be provided in the art of consultation, in medical decision-making, in medical ethics and in patient rights.
The ACADEMIC TRACK consists of a three-year program in which two years are devoted to laboratory or translational research. Individual research projects are summarized in the Nephrology faculty description (see below). Clinical responsibilities during these two years is limited to a weekly outpatient continuity clinic and participation in the educational program. The third year is identical to the clinical track. Funding for the research training is provided by a NIH T32 Training Grant.
Nephrology fellows in each track will participate in educational activities of the Division and the medical school and affiliated hospitals (e.g. morning report, teaching conferences and Medicine Grand Rounds). Both Clinical Track and Academic Track fellows are expected to complete a research project. He/she will present their findings at Renal Grand Rounds. This project generally results in an abstract or publication.
The educational mission of Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Medicine and the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program is to recruit the finest residents/fellows and graduate highly competent practicing physicians in Internal Medicine/Nephrology. We believe graduates of the program must be compassionate, an accomplished physician and scientist, a contributor to the community, and a future leader in Nephrology. The Department of Medicine and the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program will continue to build on the tradition of excellence at the Baylor College of Medicine, advancing its programs and fulfilling its vision for the future.
Contact Information
Linda R. Johnston
Nephrology Fellowship Coordinator
Mailing Address:
One Baylor Plaza, MS: 620
Houston, Texas 77030-3411
Physical Address:
1709 Dryden St., 5th floor, 05.56
Houston, Texas 77030-3411
Office: 713-798-5808
Fax: 713-798-0198
Email: lindaj@bcm.edu
Applications are being accepted for Academic Year 2009-2010 through ERAS.
Information available through the AAMC's website at www.aamc.org.