The fellows are assigned to one- or two-week rotation blocks to provide a full array of clinical nephrology experience, high quality training, and opportunities to explore electives and clinical research. Educational objectives and expectations for each rotation are reinforced with attendings and fellows in the beginning of the block and at regular intervals. We provide state-of-the-art training for our fellows while also prioritizing their wellness.
Our fellows rotate primarily at two sites: Albany Medical Center and Stratton VA Medical Center.
| Rotation | Duration | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Acute/Inpatient | 12-15 weeks per year | Albany Medical Center |
| Chronic/ESRD Inpatient | 10-12 weeks per year | Albany Medical Center |
| Transplant | 6-8 weeks per year | Albany Medical Center |
| VA Inpatient (with outpatient HD training) | 8-10 weeks per year | Stratton VA Medical Center |
| Albany Medical Center Ambulatory Care | 1 half-day per week | Albany Medical Center |
| Outpatient Dialysis (PD and HHD) | 2-4 weeks per year | Stratton VA Medical Center, Fresenius Outpatient Dialysis, DCI |
| Albany Medical Center Electives | 6-8 weeks per year | Pediatric Nephrology, Interventional Radiology, Plasmapheresis, Clinical Research |
| POCUS Training | 2 weeks (during course of training) | Albany Medical Center |
Fellows in the combined Nephrology/Critical Care track will continue their one-year training in Critical Care after completion of their two-year Nephrology training.
Rotations
The Acute or Team A rotation is a two-week rotation at Albany Medical Center with emphasis on acute kidney injury (AKI), ICU nephrology (100+ ICU beds), volume and electrolyte disturbances, hypertensive emergencies, and intoxications.
The Acute team consists of one faculty member (assigned to the team full-time), a nephrology fellow, and usually a resident and a medical student. The census is around 20-25 patients, and an average of four to five consults per day. The assigned faculty fully supports the trainee, more so when numbers exceed pre-established caps.
It is the most intense rotation but also the most educationally rewarding one, given the variety of cases seen throughout those weeks. Trainees are exposed to the “usual” AKI, but also rare disorders such as AKI due to different kinds of vasculitis or TMA, arising from the fact that Albany Medical Center, the only academic medical center in the region, is also a Level 1 Trauma Center and tertiary referral center, serving a vast population of about three million people. Our fellows are directly part of patients' diagnosis and acute care.
This team also provides extensive training in AKI requiring renal replacement therapy, including intermittent HD and CRRT (CVVH, CVVHD, regional anticoagulation), sometimes simultaneously with ECMO therapy, with a state-of-the-art dialysis unit and dialysis equipment.
The Chronic or Team B rotation is a two-week rotation at Albany Medical Center geared to train fellows in providing consultative care to and managing complications among patients with end-stage renal disease receiving long term dialysis. The team consists of one faculty member and one fellow, census is around 20-25 patients, and will provide broad exposure to patients on HD and PD, admitted with different clinical scenarios, including vascular access issues.
The educational goal for the fellows is to address common and uncommon dialysis-related complications (anemia, CKD-MBD, HTN), and assessment and management of volume status in this population. During this time, the fellow will also participate in outpatient home dialysis clinic as deemed by the program director.
This rotation consists of two-week blocks under the supervision of the transplant team at Albany Medical Center. The fellow will have inpatient and outpatient experiences in kidney transplantation, including inpatient rounds and transplant clinic for pre-transplant, post-transplant, and living-donor’s evaluations.
The renal transplant curriculum and rotation for nephrology fellows is created with one main objective: to furnish graduating nephrology fellows with the comprehensive knowledge and experience necessary to provide transplant care to patients that is expected of general nephrologists today, and in the future.
The fellows' continuity practice is an integral part of their training. Fellows have a half-day weekly continuity clinic for the duration of the fellowship at our office’s location at South Clinical Campus. The fellow will have broad experience with outpatient management of CKD, primary and secondary HTN, glomerulonephritis, and electrolyte disorders. Emphasis is given toward dialysis planning in advanced kidney disease, focusing on in-home dialysis options and kidney transplantations. Close collaboration with other specialties (cardiology, rheumatology, and endocrinology) within Albany Medical Center is achieved for comprehensive patient care. One faculty member supervises up to two fellows in each session, so ample time is dedicated for the educational benefit of the trainee.
The rotation at the Stratton VA Medical Center combines most of the individual experiences available at Albany Medical Center. Fellows perform consultations on the inpatient service including the intensive care unit, with exposure to acute dialysis therapies. They also acquire outpatient training in dialysis therapy in the outpatient dialysis unit located within the premises. Additionally, they will have outpatient exposure with a half-day clinic once or twice a week. There is significant dedicated time for one-on-one education from the VA faculty.
The elective rotation blocks allow the fellows a variety of learning opportunities tailored to each fellow’s interests. Main electives include interventional radiology for hemodialysis access interventions and renal biopsies, pediatric nephrology, apheresis for PLEX therapies, rheumatology, cardiology, outpatient dialysis, and clinical research.
Our fellows rotate at our Mount Hope dialysis clinic for two to four weeks yearly to gain maximum knowledge in outpatient in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home hemodialysis. Second-year fellows attend the annual “Home dialysis university program” to gain more expertise in the field, and our fellows attend home dialysis clinic in another four-dialysis unit, with exposure to around 50 home dialysis patients.
Our fellows receive a two-week training in point of care ultrasound under the director of Critical Care Echocardiography at Albany Medical Center. This course is recognized by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Equipment is available to apply this knowledge on a daily basis for our admitted patients.
Our fellows have the opportunity to engage in ongoing clinical research projects led by our faculty, tailored to their personal interests. Over the past few years, they have made substantial contributions to numerous publications, significantly enhancing the body of work in their field of interest.
Nephrology Conferences
The Nephrology Fellowship Program has a structured, year-round conference schedule aimed to cover core curriculum topics, as well as provide a forum for renal grand rounds and journal clubs to advance academic learning opportunities.
The Summer School Series occurs in the first two months of fellowship and covers an array of essential basics in nephrology for the incoming fellows.
| Day | Conference |
|---|---|
| Monday, noon-1:00 p.m. | One of the following: Grand Rounds, Case Presentation, Biopsy Conference, Multidisciplinary Nephrology and Rheumatology Conference, Journal Club, Board Review (KSAP, NephSap, BRCU), Interventional Radiology Conference, Wellness Conference |
| Thursday, noon-1:00 p.m. | Didactic Session: Review of Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology (by Feehally and Johnson) |
| Friday, noon-1:00 p.m. | One of the following: Grand Rounds, Case Presentation, Biopsy Conference, Multidisciplinary Nephrology and Rheumatology Conference, Journal Club, Board Review (KSAP, NephSap, BRCU), Interventional Radiology Conference, Wellness Conference |
Research Initiatives
2024
M. Riaz Khan, MBBS. Successful Management of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis with Repository Corticotropin Injection. ASN Kidney Week, San Diego, CA. October 23-27, 2024.
Pal A, Aydin-Ghormoz E, Lightle A, Faddoul G. Diet-induced hyperoxaluria: A case based mini-review. Clin Nephrol Case Stud. 2024 Oct 2;12:52-57. doi: 10.5414/CNCS111505. PMID: 39391374; PMCID: PMC11465136.
Aman Pal, Emmanuel Albert Aydin-Ghormoz, Swati Mehta, Mj Hajianpour, Krishnakumar Hongalgi. A 20-Year-Old Woman Presenting with Hemoptysis Most likely Caused by H1N1 Influenza-Induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy. ASN Kidney Week, San Diego, CA, October 23-27, 2024.
Nazia Habib, Omar Ali, Muhammad Riaz Khan, Swati Mehta, Krishnakumar Hongalgi. Hypermagnesemia Caused by Laxatives in a Patient with Colitis and AKI. ASN Kidney Week, San Diego, CA, October 23-27, 2024.
Shirley Botros, Aman Pal, Krishnakumar D. Hongalgi, Swati Mehta. AKI After Percutaneous Cryoablation of Kidney Tumors: A Retrospective Cohort Study: SA-PO052. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 35(10S), DOI:10.1681/ASN.20245s0vnde2. October 2024.
Habib N, Yuan C, Lightle A, Monrroy M, Mehta S. A rare case of alirocumab (PCSK9 inhibitor)-associated acute interstitial nephritis. Clin Nephrol Case Stud. 2024 Sep 16;12:48-51. doi: 10.5414/CNCS111443. PMID: 39290799; PMCID: PMC11407299.
Commentary - Biomarkers in asthma, potential for therapeutic intervention. M. Asghar Pasha, MDa , Russell J. Hopp, DOb , Nazia Habib, MDc and Dale D. Tang, MD, PhDc Journal of Asthma. Published online: 2024 Jun 13:1-16.
Aydin-Ghormoz E, Ortiz J, Koizumi N, Li MH, Faddoul G. Alemtuzumab induction is associated with decreased hospitalization rates in pediatric kidney transplant: A UNOS data review for safety and outcomes with common induction regimens. Pediatr Transplant. 2024 Jun;28(4):e14783. doi: 10.1111/petr.14783. PMID: 38767019.
Pasha MA, Hopp RJ, Habib N, Tang DD. Biomarkers in asthma, potential for therapeutic intervention. J Asthma. 2024 Nov;61(11):1376-1391. doi: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2361783. Epub 2024 Jun 13. PMID: 38805392.
HabibN, Carlyn C, Gosmanova EO. Infection associated glomerulonephritis (IAGN) due to coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti. National Kidney Foundation, Spring Clinical Meetings 2024. Long Beach, CA. Am J Kid Dis.83(4):S21, 2024.
Habib N, Monrroy M, Mehta S. “A rare presentation of alirocumab-mediated interstitial nephritis”. Poster presentation. National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meeting; Boston, MA, April 2024.
2023
EA Aydin-Ghormoz, J. Perlmutter, N. Koizumi, J. Ortiz, G. Faddoul. Outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with IgA nephropathy based on induction: A UNOS data analysis. Clin Transplant. 2023 Dec 21:e15225. doi: 10.1111/ctr.15225. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38127110.
EA. Aydin-Ghormoz, A. Lightle, M. Monrroy. Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis (IRGN) due to Gordonia Bacteremia in an Immunocompetent Patient with Femoral Catheter. ASN 2023, Philadelphia, PA. November 2023.
Aydin-Ghormoz, A. Lightle, M. Monrroy. Secondary IgA Nephropathy as Red Herring in a Case of AKI. ASN 2023, Philadelphia, PA. November 2023.
Botros, EA. Aydin-Ghormoz, S. Mehta, K. Hongalgi. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance Presenting as Cryoglobulinemic Glomerulonephritis. ASN 2023, Philadelphia, PA. November 2023.
B. Dekmak, N. Samadzadeh Tabrizi, EA Aydin-Ghormoz, G. Faddoul, K. Hongalgi. Take Drug Interactions Seriously: Paxlovid in Transplant Patients Taking Tacrolimus. ASN 2023, Philadelphia, PA. November 2023.
Dekmak, Batoul, Aydin-Ghormoz, Emmanuel Albert, Hongalgi, Krishnakumar D, Mehta, Swati. Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis: A Rare Presentation in Systemic Sclerosis. ASN 2023, Philadelphia, PA. November 2023.
Najjar Y, Botros S, Acker E, Ramani A, Beers K. Successful Treatment of Bilateral Renal Mucormycosis with Isavuconazole: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023 Jul 20;15(7):e42219. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42219. PMID: 37605691; PMCID: PMC10439839.
Ali K, Najjar Y, Mehta S, Faddoul G. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion as a Presentation of Untreated Parkinson's Disease. Cureus. 2023 Apr 8;15(4):e37286. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37286. PMID: 37168175; PMCID: PMC10165939.
Nazia Habib, Thomas J. Brown, Sarah McMullan, M. Asghar Pasha, and Dale D. Tang. Serum Level of c-Abl, nestin, nesprin-1, and nesprin-2 in Asthmatic Patients. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Conference, San Antonio, TX; Feb 2023.
2022
Peggy E. Salazar, MD, Nazia Habib, MD, and Muhammad A. Pasha, MD 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate, a hidden allergen, a common cause of postsurgical allergic contact dermatitis. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 43, Number 6, 1 November 2022, pp. 529-532(4).
Yaseen Najjar, MD, Laura Hernandez, Mauricio Monrroy, Prado, MD. Biopsy Proven Bilateral Pyelonephritis Causing AKI Requiring Hemodialysis: Case Report and Review. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022.
Yaseen Najjar, MD, Mina Awad, MD, Geovani Faddoul, MD. SIADH Secondary to Untreated Parkinson’s Disease. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022.
Sidrah Abid, Krishnakumar D. Hongalgi, Kelly H. Beers, Swati Mehta. Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. Importance of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) Surveillance and Difficulty in Diagnosing Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance (MGRS) in Low-Grade Lymphomas. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022.
Sidrah Abid, Krishnakumar D. Hongalgi, Kelly H. Beers. Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. Rare Co-Existence of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Familial Renal Phosphorus Wasting. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022.
Krishnakumar D. Hongalgi, Sidrah Abid, Kelly H. Beers, Swati Mehta. Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. Challenges of Treating Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Peritonitis in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient with Suprapubic Catheter. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022
Sidra Abid, MD. Rare Co-Existence of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Familial Renal Phosphorus Wasting. American Society of Nephrology, Orlando, FL; November 3-6, 2022.
Habib N, Pasha MA, Tang DD. Current Understanding of Asthma Pathogenesis and Biomarkers. Cells. 2022 Sep 5;11(17):2764. doi: 10.3390/cells11172764. PMID: 36078171; PMCID: PMC9454904.
Chieng HC, Ibrahim A, Chong WH, Freed H, Fabian T, Saha B, Foulke L, Chopra A. Lipoid Pneumonia. Am J Med Sci. 2022 May;363(5):452-455. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2022.01.019. Epub 2022 Feb 5. PMID: 35134372.
Chieng H, Saha B, Foulke L, Wu GP, Chopra A. A 24-Year-Old Man with Dyspnea and a Broken Left Femur. Chest. 2022 Apr;161(4):e225-e231. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.10.026. PMID: 35396056.
El-Achkar TM, Winfree S, Talukder N, Barwinska D, Ferkowicz MJ, Al Hasan M. Tissue Cytometry With Machine Learning in Kidney: From Small Specimens to Big Data. Front Physiol. 2022 Mar 4;13:832457. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.832457. PMID: 35309077; PMCID: PMC8931540
Abid S, Al Faris F, Gosmanova EO. Prolonged antimicrobial therapy may be needed for Bartonella infection associated glomerulonephritis. National Kidney Foundation, Spring Clinical Meetings 2022. Am J Kid Dis. 79(Suppl2): S23, 2022