Educational Curriculum

This fellow-focused educational series aims to cover all aspects of nephrology over the course of a year. The sessions are led by nephrology (or ancillary) faculty with a particular expertise in a given area.

UNMC Nephrology Fellowship Core Curriculum Didactic Series
 

Fellows have an opportunity to develop proficiency in all nephrology related procedure.  Procedure and interventional nephrology training includes the following

• CVC Insertion Simulation Lab

At the start of fellowship, we utilize the UNMC Clinical Simulation Lab in the new Davis Global Center, which is the headquarters for iEXCEL, a visionary program designed to provided transformative educational experiences. Here, fellows receive training in proper technique for dialysis catheter insertion using realistic simulation models

• Kidney Biopsy Workshop

We utilize the minimally embalmed cadaver lab to provide fellows the opportunity to perform kidney biopsy training in a low pressure setting

• POCUS Workshops

Several POCUS workshops are held at the start of fellowship focusing on interpreting imaging of lung, heart, kidney, and volume assessment. Our fellows have access to ultrasound probes, tables, and equipment to incorporate POCUS assessment in clinical practice

• Interventional Nephrology

We have two interventional nephology faculty who supervise fellows in the interventional nephrology lab to develop skills across the spectrum of interventional nephrology including tunneled catheter insertion, endovascular procedures (e.g fistulagram, declot), percutaneous fistula creation, and PD catheter insertion.  Fellows interested in Interventional Nephrology have ample opportunities to develop procedural skills, with several prior fellows achieving certification through the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN) during their two year fellowship, without having to do an additional year.

• Kidney Potpourri

This is our case conferences held twice per month. Fellows and faculty present and discuss interesting recent cases

• Renal-Rheum Conference

A multidisciplinary conference attended by faculty/fellows from nephrology, rheumatology and pathology. Here we discuss interesting cases that overlap with nephrology and rheumatology.

• Journal Club

Clinical and basic science articles are presented by faculty and fellows at our monthly journal club, providing opportunity to debate the limitations and merits of the study, and its potential impact on clinical practice.

• M&M Conference-QI Conference

Issues regarding patient safety and quality improvement are discussed in these sessions, including the experience of a mock Root Cause Analysis.

• Board Review

Monthly sessions working through board-style questions in order to improve understanding of the material and gain familiarity with testable nephrology topics.

• DDD Conference

Monthly pizza conference where fellows and faculty have open forum to discuss clinical conundrums or interesting clinical decisions.

• NNN Conference (Nephrology Nuggets at Noon)

Noon lunch conference where fellows and faculty participate in nephrology trivia with the aim to review a spectrum of nephrology topics.

• Internal Medicine and Nephrology Grand Rounds

Internal Medicine Grand Rounds take place on Fridays over the lunch hour. Topics are presented either by UNMC faculty or by invited outside faculty.

Fellows interested in research and/or quality improvement have the opportunity to develop, implement, present, and publish their work with mentored support from a nephrology faculty member.  Our division has a wide range of clinical research interests including numerous actively enrolling clinical trials, as well as several registry and large database studies.

Elective time is provided to first year fellows to identify a research mentor and initiate project development. During the second year of fellowship, up to 6 months of elective time can be allotted for research.  We provide support for fellows to participate in the UNMC Clinical Research Symposium.  We hold monthly divisional nephrology research conferences which allow faculty and fellows to discuss ongoing or completed clinical or translational research.

Fellows consistently present their research at national meetings including the NKF Spring Clinicals, ASN Kidney Week, and the American Transplant Conference, and have a track record of successful peer-reviewed publications.