The goal of this program is to provide trainees with opportunities to develop clinical competence in the fields of nephrology, hypertension, and renal replacements therapies. To achieve this goal, ample numbers of new and follow-up patients of appropriate ages, including the adolescent and geriatric age groups, and of both genders are available for each trainee. Throughout the training period within the program, trainees are allowed increasing responsibility in the performance of procedures and in the decision-making process in patient care. Toward the end of the program, they are allowed to make independent decisions that are then discussed with faculty.

During their two years of training, nephrology fellows spend approximately five to six months on this service. Under direct faculty supervision, the trainees and other members of the team evaluate approximately 45–60 consults per month. We currently care for approximately 175 chronic hemodialysis patients and 35 chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. In addition, our institution is a major referral center for the tertiary care of many end-stage renal disease patients followed by outside nephrologists in central and southeastern Kentucky.

During their two years of training, nephrology fellows spend approximately five to six months on this service. Under direct faculty supervision, the trainee evaluates approximately 20–25 new UK and  five to 10 new Veterans Affairs Intensive Care Unit (VA ICU) consults per month. On average, the trainee will care for six to eight UK and one to three VA ICU patients per day.

During their two years of training, nephrology fellows spend approximately three to four months on this service. Under direct faculty supervision, the trainee evaluates approximately four to five new transplant patients and 25-30 hospitalized transplant patients per month. On the average, the trainee will care for six to 10 hospitalized transplant patients per day.

Our formal and organized nephrology ultrasound program focuses on renal ultrasound and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for assessment of volume status and renal failure evaluation. It combines didactics with hands-on training, allowing fellows to accumulate experience and image portfolios. 

Parallel to the clinical rotations described above, trainees participate in ambulatory medical care for patients with all stages of kidney disease, including end-stage renal disease.

Throughout the duration of their training and under direct faculty supervision, trainees assume responsibilities of the outpatient management of eight to 12 hemodialysis patients. The dialysis staff are instructed to first contact the designated renal fellow for any question or concern regarding these patients. In addition, nephrology trainees assume the responsibility of the outpatient management of 30-35 home peritoneal dialysis patients for five to six months during their training.

Trainees spend throughout their two years of training two half-days per week in the renal clinics to gain experience in consultative as well as continuing care. On average, trainees are responsible for one to three new patients and eight to 12 return patients per week.

One month during their first clinical year and one to two months during their second year, trainees are permitted to take any of the following elective rotations: renal pathology (four weeks), renal radiology (two to four weeks), and pediatric nephrology (four weeks).