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INFORMATION FOR

Nephrology Fellowship Programs

Photo by Harold Shapiro

To become a specialist in kidney health, disease, and transplant, aspiring nephrologists should complete a fellowship. Many medical schools around the globe offer these educational opportunities and programs vary across institutions. Yale Nephrology offers four tracks within the nephrology fellowship, along with an additional year of training in transplant nephrology.

At Yale, we mentor our fellows to help them achieve all they want in their careers – whether it be in a career clinical practice, education, research, or transplant. Our fellows learn at one of the largest tertiary care hospitals and most prestigious medical schools in the country.

Yale Nephrology Fellowship

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Why complete a nephrology fellowship?

If you are interested in becoming a specialist in kidney care, research, and/or transplant, completing extra training in nephrology is a necessary next step. Nephrology fellowship education programs at Yale School of Medicine offer a unique learning environment in a collegial, supportive program with internationally renowned faculty. All four nephrology programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Trainees are also able to apply for an additional year of training for kidney transplantation if they choose.

What training will I receive as part of the Yale Nephrology program?

As a fellow, you train at Yale School of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, at area outpatient home and in-center dialysis centers, and at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in nearby West Haven.

You will care for patients with the wide-ranging conditions, in inpatient and outpatient settings such as:

  • Acute kidney injury
  • Critical Illness
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Electrolyte disorders
  • Glomerular diseases
  • Hypertension
  • Pregnancy and Kidney Disease
  • Onco-Nephrology
  • Kidney transplant
  • Inherited kidney diseases

As a research fellow, you have full access to Yale core research facilities. Yale Nephrology has a long history of training nephrology fellows to become preeminent physician scientists around the globe, regardless of previous background research experience. Research opportunities for fellows are available in both basic and translational research programs and are successful because of the deep commitment to mentorship long held at Yale.

How long is a nephrology fellowship?

Nephrology fellowships range from two to three years, based on interest area. Yale offers the following fellowship tracks:

If your career plans are not yet solidified, or you change your focus after you get to Yale and are exposed to aspects of research you find exciting and wish to pursue, you may apply to switch from the clinical track to the research track after your first year.

In addition, if you are interested in global health, you can complete a Global Health rotation with our partners in Kampala, Uganda during your second year of fellowship in conjunction with the Department of Internal Medicine’s Office of Global Health.

Why consider Yale’s program?

We pride ourselves on training the future leaders in nephrology – some who wish to excel in clinical practice and others who wish to lead the country in nephrology education or basic and translational research. We see our mission as a global one, and recognize the importance of having our fellows be representative of that mission and purpose.

John P. Peters, MD, the founder of the metabolism section at Yale, has been synonymous with nephrology research and education. Many of the great leaders in nephrology around the globe have been trained by him or one of his trainees. He spent his entire career at Yale, and every year at the annual American Society of Nephrology meeting, the prestigious John P. Peters Award is given to a person who has made substantial contributions to the discipline of nephrology and have had ongoing achievement in academic clinical care, education, and leadership. Learn more about the section’s founding and significant growth.

Over a hundred years later, Yale Nephrology is thriving. We have grown and changed with the times, but have maintained Dr. Peters’ mission of excellence in nephrology education, clinical practice, patient advocacy, and research. Yale is a unique place—excellence in patient care, clinical training, and research opportunities are matched by a supportive faculty who prioritize the growth and success of our fellows.

How do I apply?

Application to any of the two- or three-year nephrology tracks is done exclusively through The National Resident Matching Program® using the ERAS portal. Any questions about the application process should be directed to our fellowship coordinator Deepa Babu via email.

For the transplant nephrology track, please send a personal statement (one page maximum), CV, and two letters of recommendation to William Asch, MD, PhD, via email. Successful completion of a general nephrology fellowship in an ACGME-accredited program is required.

Fellowship Program Leadership