Nephrology and Hypertension Fellowship Program
Sidebar
For the past 50 years, our goal has been to train outstanding clinical nephrologists and physician scientists.
Throughout their training, fellows have the opportunity to experience and become proficient in all aspects of nephrology including inpatient and outpatient general nephrology, hemo and peritoneal dialysis, renal transplantation, interventional nephrology, renal pathology and basic and clinical research.
Fellows can also pursue other nephrology interests through a variety of electives that can be tailored to individual interests. The program is flexible enough to allow fellows the opportunity to create an elective that currently is not offered. This structure allows the individual fellow to discover and explore a wide variety of potential career paths prior to completion of training.
Nephrology Clinical Fellowship
The Kidney Disease Program accepts two to three new qualified candidates each year into our two or three year training program. During the first two years, fellows complete their core requirements for eligibility to sit for the Nephrology Board Examination sponsored by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), with the first year being devoted to the basics while ample time for electives is provided in the second year.
Fellows who wish to pursue an academic career or who wish to engage in more in depth training in a particular aspect of nephrology are encouraged to spend an optional third year engaged in either clinical or basic science research or training in interventional nephrology or glomerular disease. Fellows may take classes in the Basic Science Department at the University and are encouraged to seek an advanced basic science degree during their fellowship.
Nephrology/Critical Care program
We now offer a three-year Nephrology/Critical Care program. This combined fellowship training track was developed in close collaboration between the Divisions of Nephrology and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine.
We offer one training position each year for this innovative program, aimed at recruiting highly qualified and motivated applicants who seek formal training and ABIM certification in both nephrology and critical care medicine.
This combined program spans three years of training. The first two years are highly focused on impatient and outpatient nephrology training, with the third year exclusively dedicated to critical care medicine. By the end of the second year, the fellow is board-eligible for nephrology, and by the end of the third year, for critical care medicine.
Opportunities for Research
Research opportunities are available to Fellows in the basic science research labs in the Baxter buildings or in the clinical research program of the Kidney Disease Program. Basic science research interests include proteomics, molecular biology, signal transduction, and cell biochemistry. Clinical research projects in drug dosing in renal disease, nephrotoxicity, Erythropoetin Stimulating Agents, dialysis outcomes, dialyzers, transplantation, and interventional nephrology are available for Fellows.
Program Details
Application and Interview Process
The University of Louisville Nephrology Medicine Fellowship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
We invite you to apply via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
We will be accepting applications through ERAS for positions starting in July 2027. Our Nephrology Training Program participates in the National Match Program. We will begin downloading applications in July of 2026. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams on Fridays in August, September and October of 2026.
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Qualifications to Serve as a Fellow in our Program
- You must be eligible to take the American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam or be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. If you have finished your residency please send your ABIM board scores.
- You must qualify for a Kentucky medical license. One requirement for licensure in Kentucky is completion of a least a PGY 1 (Internship) training year in the United States or Canada.
- The University of Louisville does not support H1-B visa for a clinical fellowship, but will accept J-1 visa applicants. International graduates must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
- Fellows are selected for interview at this program based on academic performance, quality of pre-fellowship training, and evidence of significant interest in the subspecialty of nephrology.
- In selecting applicants and training residents, the faculty and professional staff of the Division of Nephrology is committed to the career development of trainees, promoting clinical excellence and professional integrity. The Division is also committed to selecting applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
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Application Form
Applicants are requested to complete the ERAS Common Application form. Our Nephrology Training Program is now in the match system.
Trainee Benefits
Life Insurance
Term life insurance is provided for all trainees, in the amount of $2000 of life insurance for each $1000 of annual stipend. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included.
Health Insurance
Single and family coverage is available at group rates. Several different plans at varying costs are available to choose from. Trainees may choose Premium Conversion, which permits payment of premiums with pre-tax dollars. Flexible Spending Accounts also available.
Workers Compensation
All trainees are covered by workers compensation for medical expenses and lost work time due to job-related illness or injury.
Disability Insurance
Long-term disability insurance is provided for trainees, free of charge. Trainees have the option of converting the coverage from group to individual at the end of their training and the option of purchasing additional coverage at very reduced rates.
Malpractice Insurance
Coverage is provided for all trainees by either the University of Louisville or by the hospitals to which trainees are assigned. This coverage applies to all assigned rotations that are part of fellowship training.
Dental Care and Coverage
The Faculty Practice Office in the Outpatient Care Center will provide annual examination, including cleaning and up to four bitewing x-rays, to trainees free of charge. Any additional services are the responsibility of the trainee. Trainees can call 852-5401 for information. Trainees may also purchase, at group rates, dental insurance in both single and family plans.
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Trainees may establish accounts to convert tax-free benefit dollars within the limits established by the IRS. Flexible spending accounts provide pre-tax dollars to be used toward medical, dental, vision, pharmacy and daycare expenses. The monies are reimbursed to the trainee for expenses incurred.
Employee Assistance Program
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to residents and fellows at no charge and provides confidential counseling, assessment and referral services. The program deals with the broad range of issues such as emotional/behavioral, family and marital, alcohol and/or drug, financial, legal and other personal problems. These services are provided by the Human Development Company.
Counseling Services
Professional counseling is available to trainees through the Health Sciences Center Campus Health Services. Counseling services are also available through the University of Louisville Employee Assistance Program.
Kentucky state law requires that all PGY-2 and above trainees be licensed to practice medicine in the state of Kentucky. The fee for the initial training license is paid by the Graduate Medical Education Office for the PGY-1's who continue as PGY-2's in UofL programs.
Hepatitis B immunization and an annual TB skin test are required and furnished free of charge to all trainees. The Campus Health Services Office provides minor urgent medical care and immunizations, including boosters and TB testing. Personal counseling is also available.
The Campus Health Services Office also serves as an on-site treatment facility for workers compensation related injuries and exposures including needle sticks and as the repository of trainee immunization records and exposure data. The office is staffed by board certified faculty physicians and faculty nurse practitioners who have extensive primary care and occupational exposure experience.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
All postgraduate physicians are entitled to 28 calendar days of vacation for each twelve-month period.
Medical and Personal Leave
Paid medical leave up to 90 days is available in cases of extended personal illness. Residents are covered under the Graduate Medical Student Leave Policy, which provides up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for personal or family illness.
Personal leave is available at the discretion of the Program Director.
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Trainees are allowed up to 42 days of paid post-partum leave.
Lab coats are provided by departments for residents at the beginning of their training.
Trainees have library privileges at the medical school library (Kornhauser Health Sciences Library) and at all affiliated hospitals. Available services include electronic literature searches and interlibrary loan service. Audiovisual equipment, as well as computers and computer software, are made available to residents through the library.
Through the Kornhauser Library’s website, trainees have access to thousands of electronic journals via Medline and online e-journal collections. Trainees can search the library’s catalog or view a collection of electronic textbooks and reference materials online.
Free membership to the HSC Fitness Center is available to all HSC residents, students, staff and faculty. The Fitness Center is conveniently located in the Chestnut Street Parking Garage and includes weight machines, free weights and 20 pieces of aerobic equipment. Aerobics and yoga classes are also offered. In addition, a swimming pool and recreational facilities on Belknap Campus are also available to residents, through the Intramural and Recreational Sports Office.
Lactation rooms are at various locations on the Health Sciences Campus.
The University of Louisville House Staff are eligible to participate in the 403(b) retirement plan by electing to contribute to the voluntary Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options. The contributions in the Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options are not matched by the University.
The Graduate Medical Education office greatly encourages residents to contribute to their community and improve the future of their profession through leadership and advocacy. In that spirit, the Graduate Medical Education Office is providing membership to the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) and the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) at no cost to GME contracted residents and fellows.
Parking
Parking permits are provided to trainees by either their program or the GME office at no cost to the resident.
Uber Transportation Program
An Uber based transportation service is provided free of charge to UofL residents/fellows. The purpose of this program is to ensure that all residents & fellows have a safe transportation option if they are too fatigued to return home safely.