Division of Nephrology

Mission Statement

The Division of Nephrology is recognized for its excellence in patient care, medical education, basic and clinical research, and service to the community. The division has received multiple awards for its teaching and research activities. The mission statement of the Division closely reflects that of the UC Davis Health in its vision for academic medicine.

Nephrology is a branch of medicine devoted to kidney function. Our nephrologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the kidneys. Humans typically have two kidneys, which are located at the back of the body on either side of the spine. Kidneys are critically important because they remove waste materials from the blood, maintain salt and fluid balance, and release hormones that regulate blood pressure. Kidneys also affect production of red blood cells and bone metabolism throughout your body.

Our nephrologists are specialists in treating disorders of the kidneys along with the common conditions that can damage kidneys, including autoimmune disorders, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Moreover, our nephrologists work closely with various specialists to manage kidney disorders that result from other organ conditions or their treatment, such as cardiac, oncologic, and rheumatic diseases.

Providing top quality care for our Nephrology patients

UC Davis Health serves the community from its location in Sacramento, California’s scenic and vibrant capital city. In the 2022–23 survey of more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide, U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Health the #1 hospital in Sacramento, #6 in the state, and for the treatment of kidney failure received the highest ranking of “high performing”. With the depth and strength of UC Davis Health behind us, we are geared toward coordinated care of individual kidney patients. As part of an educational institution, we offer our patients an array of instructional materials and tutorial sessions. We have particular expertise in treating chronic kidney disease and renal failure — loss of proper kidney function. For the convenience of our patients, we have established relationships with numerous dialysis providers throughout the region, several of which have appointed members of our faculty as their medical directors. Many of our patients do their dialysis at home, with the help of our nurse navigator. We work with the Division of Transplant Nephrology to care for patients who need a kidney transplant.

Conditions our nephrologists expertly treat include:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney replacement therapy (including dialysis and transplant)
• Acute kidney injury
• Hypertension
• Electrolyte disorders
• Kidney stones (in collaboration with urologists)
• Glomerular disease (including lupus)
• Tubulointerstitial kidney disease
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of kidney blood vessels)
• Among many other kidney conditions