The Division of Pediatric Nephrology is part of the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the only freestanding children’s hospital in the State of Michigan. The 250-bed hospital is affiliated with the Wayne State University School of Medicine and has approved residency training programs in general and specialty pediatrics, pediatric surgery, urology, pathology, and radiology. The nephrology division has a designated floor for inpatients and a dialysis unit. Clinical activity includes daily inpatient/consult rounds on 10-15 patients; approximately 3000-outpatient clinic visits per year, 25-30 dialysis patients, and 10-15 renal transplants per year.
The Pediatric Nephrology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan provides comprehensive training in the specialty, preparing the Fellow for a productive and independent career in Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension. Upon completion of the program, trainee will be qualified for sub-board examination.
The minimum duration of Pediatric Nephrology fellowship is three years. Exceptions to this requirement are only available to candidates with a proven record of scholarly activity in the field, and after petition to the American Board of Pediatrics. The Program Director develops and coordinates a complete training program for each fellow.
Clinical Training: The primary focus for the first year is clinical training. Under the supervision of the Attending Nephrologist, the Fellow both participates directly in patient care and supervises and guides the activities of Residents and Medical Students in the inpatient and outpatient arenas. The clinical year begins with one month dedicated to orientation, outpatient experience, and introducing the fellow to the principles and practices of dialysis, including hands-on training in our dialysis unit. The clinical training also consists of inpatient rounds with Faculty, residents and the medical students; out-patient clinics (including specialty clinics for dialysis, chronic renal insufficiency, and renal transplant patients); hands-on experience with procedures such as renal biopsy, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, plasmapheresis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration; and attendance and presentations at clinical meetings including those related to renal biopsy, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal transplant, and renal imaging.
During the 2nd and 3rd years of training, the Fellow is given increasingly more supervisory clinical responsibility in order to achieve self-confidence and the necessary expertise for an independent career. Before finishing fellowship, the 3rd year fellow does the “Attending Month” under close supervision of the Attending on service.
Research Experience: A period of supervised research of high quality is essential for successful completion of the Fellowship; Research is the principal focus of the 2nd and 3rd years of training. Research experience will start with a clinically relevant research project in the first year of training depending on the Fellow’s interests.
Tej Mattoo, MD
Program Director, Pediatric Nephrology