Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

The Lehigh Valley Health Network Nephrology Fellowship program offers comprehensive and innovative training for aspiring nephrologists. Established with ACGME accreditation, this two-year clinical fellowship is designed to provide fellows with exceptional clinical and academic training opportunities within a supportive learning environment.

Program Highlights

The fellowship at LVHN features a robust clinical learning atmosphere, capitalizing on LVHN’s status as the largest tertiary referral center in the region. The fellowship classroom extends beyond traditional settings, due to an active transplant program that performs over 100 kidney transplants annually. This high clinical volume equips fellows with diverse cases, enhancing their expertise in nephrology.

The fellowship's faculty boasts a group of 23 board-certified nephrologists who cover a wide array of topics including critical care, interventional nephrology, and electrolyte disorders, and they emphasize engagement and collective improvement within the program. This culture is particularly evident in fellows' involvement in curriculum development and performance in national training examinations.

Training Environment

The fellowship environment is characterized by collaboration and supportive mentorship. With dedicated faculty who actively solicit feedback, fellows are encouraged to thrive professionally. Moreover, the geographic advantage of the Lehigh Valley offers a favorable cost of living combined with access to metropolitan amenities in both Philadelphia and New York City.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum includes integral components designed to foster comprehensive nephrology training. This involves:

• Inpatient Rotations: Fellows engage in consult rotations at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, managing acute kidney injuries, electrolyte imbalances, and chronic kidney diseases.
• Transplant Experience: A key facet of the fellowship involves mentoring under transplant nephrologists and surgeons, primarily through the kidney transplant program that handles a significant number of cases yearly.
• Outpatient Dialysis: During their second year, fellows follow outpatient panels in community clinics, further sharpening their skills in managing patients with end-stage renal disease.
• Continuity Clinic: Clinical practice continuity is emphasized, allowing fellows to follow their patients' longitudinal care over the fellowship period.

Research Opportunities

Research is a pillar of the fellowship, with designated months for scholarly activities in the second year where fellows engage in mentored projects, quality improvement initiatives, and academic presentations. This commitment to scholarly activities aligns with the department’s rich tradition of advancing nephrology through research and peer collaboration.

Application and Visa Support

Applications are accepted exclusively through ERAS, with an emphasis on candidates who have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited internal medicine residency program and passed USMLE/COMLEX Steps I, II, and III. The program sponsors both J1 and H1B visas, accommodating international medical graduates. However, observerships or externships are unavailable. Candidates should also be mindful of application deadlines and interview schedules, which primarily occur in September and October.

Competitiveness and Requirements

This fellowship is known to be competitive, valuing both MDs and DOs, as well as international medical graduates. While there are no specific maximum limits on failed STEP exams noted, all prospective candidates must satisfy the prerequisites stated previously, ensuring a consistent standard is upheld in the selection process.

Benefits and Life in the Lehigh Valley

The fellowship package includes several stipends, such as $1,500 annually for conferences and educational costs. Fellows also enjoy an advantageous work-life balance with adequate days off, including weekends and paid time off for learning opportunities. The Lehigh Valley offers a thriving community, ideal for personal and professional growth, with abundant outdoor activities and cultural experiences.