The program is a two year fellowship, with an optional third year, which emphasizes the development of experience and proficiency in clinical, investigative, and educational aspects of nephrology. The structure of the program will be flexible so that trainees may equip themselves for a career as either clinical or investigative nephrologists. In general, the first year emphasizes the acquisition of basic skills in clinical nephrology, including renal transplant and dialysis. During the first year, the fellow identifies a faculty research mentor and identifies a research project. The second year involves a continued role in patient care, with the balance of available time individualized to the pursuit of specific research interests, either clinical or basic science oriented. Clinical nephrology, basic science, pathological, radiology, problem case management, Journal Club, and research conferences are also held, primarily for the education of fellows. At the present time, our nephrology program will have a total of six funded clinical fellowships (not per annum) as fellowship programs are run in conjunction with the UNM academic year.
Training is conducted at University Hospital, the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, and local dialysis units of Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
University Hospital is on the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus. It is a 368-bed general and tertiary care hospital including full pediatric services, outpatient facilities and the only level I trauma center in the state of New Mexico. The hospital also operates its own air service, including fixed-wing and helicopter.
The New Mexico VA Health Care system (VAMC/Air Force hospital) is a 350-bed general and tertiary care hospital that serves veterans from a four state area, active duty Air Force personnel and their dependents. Although the majority of the patients are men, because of the mission to serve the active duty Air Force and their dependents, there is a Women's Health Center and a higher number of female patients than at the typical VA hospital.
Dialysis Clinic, Inc. is a non-profit organization that runs outpatient dialysis facilities in several states and supports research and education in the field of kidney disease.
Opportunities for clinical experiences are also available at the Albuquerque IHS facility and Presbyterian hospital.
Fellowship applications are accepted through ERAS.
Karen Servilla, MD
Karen Servilla, MD, is currently the Fellowship Program Director at the University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine. The goal of the Nephrology Fellowship Program at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is to provide subspecialty training in nephrology to internists who will become board certified in nephrology and pursue productive careers in academic medicine, public health, clinical practice or industry. All trainees accepted into the program are expected to be eligible for and sit for nephrology boards after completion of training.
