trio of nephrology fellowship photos

Welcome to the University of California, Davis School of Medicine Nephrology Fellowship Training Program. We are delighted that you are considering our program. UC Davis nephrology provides outstanding clinical training by faculty dedicated to and passionate about your education. Additionally, as a major academic and research center, there are numerous scholarly and research opportunities for fellows.

The University of California, Davis School of Medicine and its medical center are located in Sacramento, the vibrant capital city of California. UC Davis Health is a tertiary referral center that serves the city of Sacramento along with a wide expanse of Northern California, thus providing comprehensive care to an incredibly large, growing and diverse population.

Why Choose UC Davis?

A great education. Outstanding clinical exposure to a diverse population. Great scholarly and academic opportunities. A supportive learning environment. Faculty who care.

Mission and Goals

The Division of Nephrology and its fellowship training program are dedicated to excellence in patient care, medical education, basic and clinical research, and service to the community in one of the nation’s most diverse cities.

Nephrology Fellowship Training

The UC Davis Nephrology fellowship program is an ACGME-accredited 2 year clinical program that provides the full breadth of nephrology training. We accept 3 fellows each year. Our program highlights include an extensive home dialysis (peritoneal and home hemodialysis) program, an active kidney transplant service, and an ASDIN-accredited Interventional Nephrology program. Interested fellows after completion of general nephrology fellowship may look into grant support for a research year or applying for our AST-certified transplant fellowship or our non-ACGME interventional fellowship that leads to ASDIN certification.

Learning Tracks

Clinical fellows who have a scholarly area of interest are encouraged to tailor several weeks of elective experiences during their 2nd year. Examples of scholarly concentrations include glomerular disease, interventional nephrology, research and transplant. Fellows during these individualized tracks will spend time with a faculty mentor who is a content expert and participate in a scholarly project within that subfield of nephrology.

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary for PGY4, PGY5, and PGY6 fellows for academic year 2022-2023 is $83048, $86164, and $89112, respectively. Additional financial compensation includes an annual meal fund of approximately $2400 an education fund of $1000, and a relocation stipend of $1100. UC Davis will cover the cost of a CA medical license. Active clinical fellows are eligible for coverage in the University of California medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance plans. You can also cover your spouse or domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26 in medical, dental and vision coverage. The University of California pays the entire cost of coverage for you and your enrolled dependents. For more information, please visit the UC Davis Graduate Medical Education website.

Living In Sacramento

Sacramento and its surrounding region have so much to offer, including restaurants that pride themselves on farm-to-fork cuisine to a variety of outdoor recreation spots to family-friendly events. Here’s a glimpse of what you and your family can expect should you decide to call Northern California your home.

Our Fellows and Faculty Discuss The Program


UC Davis Medical Center

The main hub of fellowship training is at UC Davis Medical Center located in urban Sacramento. This includes the inpatient consultation service and transplant nephrology rotations. A new, state-of-the-art 12 bay dialysis unit located in the heart of the hospital allows dialysis care for ward patients requiring renal replacement therapy. Fellows have an adjacent dedicated workspace that allows for team rounds with attendings, residents and students, extensive resources including their own microscope for urine analyses, and a nephrology point of care ultrasound. Multimedia options are available in the workspace for teaching and educational options.

Additional rotations on the University medical campus include interventional nephrology, transplant nephrology and apheresis among other academic experiences.

The fellows have continuity renal clinic in the adjacent ambulatory care clinic.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The VA Mather Field Medical Center is located 11 miles east of the University hospital. Fellows have multiple weeks per year at the VA with both inpatient and ambulatory experience. Renal clinic at the VA is also part of the ambulatory experience.

Community Dialysis Clinics

Our fellowship emphasizes home dialysis. Much of the exposure to peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis takes place in the home training programs run by various dialysis providers. UC Davis nephrologists are medical directors for several of these dialysis clinics. Fellows will participate in rounds and additionally when available sit in on administrative meetings to understand the role of the medical director in running a dialysis clinic.

Two Nephrology Fellowship sites.

Nephrology Fellowship Rotations Examples

Each rotation in our fellowship program is 2 weeks in duration. We have found that 2 weeks provides the best balance between continuity, workload, education and diversity over the year.

    • UC Inpatient Consultation Service: 2 fellows are assigned, each working one-on-one with a faculty attending. Residents and medical students are usually part of the team. Fellows alternate admission days and pick up patients from our night float system. Fellows do not take night weekday call on the University inpatient consultation rotation. Weekends are split amongst all fellows in the program. The total teaching service census ranges from 25-40 patients, with overflow picked up by the service attending faculty. We also have an independent faculty only service to offload stable chronic dialysis patients from the teaching teams. Clinical exposure will include all modalities of kidney replacement therapy (HD, SLED, CRRT, PUF and PD), and a wide breadth of acute and chronic pathology within a diverse patient population.
    • VA Inpatient Consultation and Outpatient Service: There is 1 fellow at the VA for working with the VA faculty nephrologists. The census averages 8-12 patients. The fellows do not take weekend or night calls for the VA. During this block, fellows will participate in the VA renal clinics on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Fellows also have 1 half-day of UC continuity clinic each week.
    • Transplant Nephrology: There is 1 fellow on transplant who works alongside the transplant nephrology fellow and transplant faculty. Fellows will have 2 half-days of transplant clinic weekly, along with their 1 half-day of UC continuity clinic. Fellows do not take weekend or night calls for transplant.
    • Interventional Nephrology: Fellows work with our interventional nephrologists at the University hospital, placing catheters (both temporary and tunneled) as well as participating in angiogram and angioplasty procedures related to hemodialysis vascular accesses. Kidney biopsy opportunities are available. Fellows also have 1 half-day of UC continuity clinic each week.
    • Night Float: A fellow is on weeknight University calls from home Monday-Thursday, except for holiday weekdays, between 5 pm and 6 am the following morning. Fellows have a half-day UC continuity clinic and a half-day VA clinic during the week.
    • Outpatient Dialysis: A fellow on outpatient dialysis is supervised by a core group of faculty at community in-center HD clinics as well as home dialysis clinics (PD and home HD). The focus is on management of new start as well as stable dialysis patients in a multidisciplinary setting. There are some dedicated half-days for covering a structured dialysis curriculum, wellness, and other scholarly activities during this time. Fellows also have 1 half-day of UC continuity clinic each week.
    • Research: In the second year, fellows have dedicated research time to work with our research faculty, on their own projects, or on other scholarly activities. Fellows have 1-2 half-day continuity clinics during their research block.
    • Apheresis: Apheresis experience is courtesy of the Department of Pathology, which runs this service at UC Davis. Prior fellows have requested this experience as many have joined practices where nephrologists oversee apheresis.

A sample schedule for the year is shown below. Fellows only cover UC inpatient consult on weekends. Fellows do not cover the VA inpatient service or the UC transplant service on weekends. Schedules may vary slightly from fellow to fellow depending on requested experience.

  • Approximate average weeks per year
  • 18 weeks UC Inpatient Consultation
  • 8 weeks Night Float
  • 6-8 weeks Outpatient Dialysis / Interventional Nephrology
  • 4 weeks Transplant
  • 4 weeks VA Inpatient Consultation and Outpatient
  • 4 weeks Research
  • 2 weeks Apheresis
  • 4 weeks Vacation

Educational Conferences:

  • Nephrology Journal club: Alternating Tuesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30.
  • Nephrology Grand Rounds: Every Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30.
  • Fellows interactive case conference: Alternating Tuesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30.
  • Fellows didactic conference: Every Friday afternoon from 1 to 2.
  • Fellows are expected to participate and have protected time for the above conferences.

Academic Weeks:

  • ASN Kidney week: As part of our academic year, our division supports our 2nd year fellows to participate in the American Society of Nephrology annual meeting in late Fall. This includes attending the pre-conference courses and presenting their scholarly projects.
  • Home Dialysis Academy of Excellence: Our division collaborates with Stanford Nephrology and Satellite Healthcare to offer our 2nd year fellows a comprehensive home dialysis training conference in early Fall.
  • Just Kidney-ing Week: Our division organizes a dedicated academic week in late Winter for our 1st year fellows to have review essential nephrology topics and landmark studies in an engaging way.

The education and training of future physicians and specialists are the key missions of the University of California system. Our fellows truly represent our legacy. At UC Davis, fellows are supportive of one another. Our faculty and staff are involved in their well-being.

Current Fellows

2023-2025
2022-2024

Jack Luo, M.D.

Andrea Broka, M.D.

Madhab Ray, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.

Juan Pablo Moreno-Ortiz, M.D.

Sharmilee Vuyyuru, D.O.

Kristen Pietrzyk, M.D.

Our Past Fellows

2021-2023

 2020-2022

Tram Dao, D.O.

Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira, NY

Saiyed Wajahat Ali, M.D.

Southland Renal, Torrance, CA

Keerat Dhatt, M.D.

Stockton VA Medical Center, Stockton, CA

Ruchika Chhibar, M.D.

Kaiser Permanente, Fremont, CA

Jonathan Mowrey, M.D.

Midwest Nephrology Consultants, Kansas City, MO

Nandakishor Kapa, M.D.

UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA

2019-2021

2018-2020

Alonso R. Diaz, M.D.

Partners in Nephrology and Endocrinology, Pittsburgh, PA

John H. Howard III, M.D.

Capitol Nephrology, Sacramento, CA

Xiao (Mark) Ling, M.D.

Nephrology Associates of Yakima, Yakima, WA

Tiana Jespersen Nizamic, M.D.

Kootenai Health, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Huyen Nguyen, M.D.

Sacramento VA Medical Center, Mather, CA

Nasim Wiegley, M.D.

UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA

2017-2019

2016-2018

Vishwa Sheth, M.D.

San Joaquin Kidney Clinic, Stockton, CA

Harleen Aujla, M.D.

Merced Turlock Nephrology, Merced, CA

Joana (Maria) Thomas, M.D.

Renal Care Consultants, Medford, OR

Anthony Iluyomade, M.D.

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Toccoa, GA

Priyanka Wani, M.D.

Kaiser San Jose, San Jose, CA

Kevin Marquez, M.D.

University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD

2015-2017 2014-2016

Justin Chen, M.D.

LA Kidney Doctors, Pasadena, CA

Suresh Appasamy, M.D.
UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA

Victoria Chung, M.D.

Hoag Medical Group, Orange County, CA

Kalyani Chandra, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA

Ernest Dytiapco, M.D.

Central Coast Renal Care, San Luis Obispo, CA

Kristen Tamura, M.D.
Maui Memorial Medical Center, Wailuku, HI
2013-2015 2012-2014
Paul Cespedes, M.D.
Dallas Renal Group, Dallas, TX
Tuan A. Nguyen, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA
Billy T. Hour, M.D.
Kidney Consultants Medical Group, Santa Clarita, CA
Ankur Sharma, M.D.
Northeast Nephrology Consultants, Joliet, IL
Piangwarin (Pauline) Phaosawasdi, M.D.
Solano Kidney Care, Vacaville, CA
Jackson Wang, M.D.
Summit Nephrology Medical Group, Roseville, CA
2011-2013 2010-2012
Don N. Chang, M.D.
Summit Nephrology Medical Group, Roseville, CA
Kumar Pannagasayanam Dinesh, M.D.
Providence Health & Services, Portland, OR
Golaun Odabaei, M.D.
East Bay Nephrology Group, Berkeley, CA
Preeti R. Nargund, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, San Jose, CA
Janet Y. Young, M.D.
Sutter Delta Medical Center, Antioch, CA

Maria Regina Valcarcel, M.D.
Nephrology Associates of Northern Indiana, Fort Wayne, IN

2009-2011

2008-2010

Abhinai Gupta, M.D.
Augusta Nephrology Associates, Augusta, GA

William Chen, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Irvine, CA

Hiba Hamdan, M.D.
UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA

Sergio Infante, M.D.
Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA

Jessie M. Piceno, M.D.
Nevada Kidney Disease & Hypertension Center, Las Vegas, NV

Mona Singh, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, CA

2007-2009

2006-2008

Lana Kopilevich, M.D.
Summit Nephrology, Roseville, CA

Janeline Daubert, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA

Akhenaton Pappoe, M.D.
Pomona Valley Hospital, Pomona, CA

Annie Yu, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Roseville, CA

Michel Zakari, M.D.
Adventist Health, Glendale, CA

Franklin E. Yuan, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente, Roseville, CA
2005-2007 2004-2006
Stephen Lui, M.D.
Los Angeles Renal Specialists, Lynwood, CA
James Madison, D.O.
Tahlequah City Hospital, Tahlequah, OK

Janina Nylk, M.D.
Renown Medical Group, Reno, NV

Jose Morfin, M.D.
UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
William Raffo, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA
Michael T. Sim, M.D.
UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA

Application Process

The University of California Davis Nephrology fellowship accepts 3 fellows each year, and all spots are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and its Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Basic requirements include:

  • Good standing in or completion of an ACGME or AOA/AACOM or equivalent Internal Medicine residency program at the time of application, and graduation of residency training by fellowship appointment date
  • MyERAS common application and CV
  • Personal statement
  • Medical school transcripts
  • 3-4 letters of recommendation, with 1 being from the residency program director
  • Successful passage of USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3 (or COMLEX equivalents)
  • Ability to obtain a California Medical License

UC Davis GME is able to sponsor J1 visas, yet not H1-B visas or visa transfers at this time.

Questions? Contact Samia Yunus, our Fellowship Coordinator.

Our division values and promotes the wellness of our fellows. Wellness days can be found on Interventional Nephrology, Outpatient Dialysis, and Elective rotations where fellows can take personal time, any way they see fit, without duty requirements.

Our division also fosters a supportive and friendly environment for fellows, faculty, and staff. We host regular events such as fellow dinners, outings, and holiday activities to enhance camaraderie and teamwork.

UC Davis Graduate Medical Education has additional information on trainee wellness.

The UC Davis School of Medicine ranks among the nation’s leading medical schools for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, including over $200 million in NIH grants. Research in the UC Davis Division of Nephrology include works on molecular mechanisms and clinical outcomes in diabetic nephropathy, mechanisms of renal fibrosis and injury, mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease and inflammation, clinical outcomes and health disparities in ESKD patients, and molecular mechanisms of renal cell cancer among many other ongoing projects.

Our fellows are actively involved in scholarly projects and publications. They are expected to present their work at the annual ASN conference. Fellows have also contributed to publications, book chapters, online medical education resources, and review articles among many other opportunities.

Meet Our Team

Dr. Brian Young

Dr. Brian Young

Fellowship Program Director

Dr. Nasim Wiegley

Dr. Nasim Wiegley

Fellowship Associate Program Director

Click here to meet each member of the Nephrology faculty

Dr. Andrew Chin

Division Chief

A Message From Division Chief Dr. Andrew Chin:

Welcome to the Nephrology Fellowship program at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. We are located in Sacramento, a wonderful part of Northern California. Our 2-year clinical program offers a comprehensive and vigorous training that prepares our graduates for a career in either academic or private medical practice. The highlights of our Fellowship training include hands-on experience in an ASDIN-certified Interventional Nephrology program, extensive exposure to home dialysis modalities, caring for kidney transplant patients in one of the country’s highest volume transplant centers, and an outstanding formal educational series led by our academic renal pathologists. Our program’s most important asset is our Nephrology Faculty, who see the education of our Fellows as one of the most important missions of our Division. I thank you for your interest in our program, and I hope to meet you in the near future.

Contact Us

Academic Office:                               

4150 V Street, Suite 3500

Sacramento, CA  95817

Phone number: 916 734-3014

Fax number: 916 734-7920

 Map of UC Davis Health

Fellowship Program Director:            

Brian Young, M.D.

byyoung@ucdavis.edu

 

Fellowship Program Coordinator:      

Samia Yunus

samyunus@ucdavis.edu