Conference Schedule

The UVA Division of Nephrology typically holds several conferences throughout the week. Fellows Conference runs year-round; the remainder normally run from September through May. Most conferences are held in the Kidney Center Conference Room on the 5th Floor, Multistory West Complex, Room 5101.

Conference Descriptions

Renal Grand Rounds
Combined adult and pediatric rounds are coordinated jointly by the Nephrology fellows and faculty. This is a venue where distinguished faculty from other universities, and Division faculty and fellows, present their current research. The latest clinical and research findings in Nephrology and applied basic science are presented and discussed.

Medical Grand Rounds
Faculty from UVA and other institutions are invited to discuss clinical topics in medicine. Several times each year, nephrology faculty present. Internationally recognized nephrology faculty are invited as visiting professors.

Journal Club
The purpose of journal club is to develop the ability to critically analyze data reported in the literature. In general, papers are presented and discussed from high quality clinical journals (NEJM, Kidney Int, Ann Int Med, Lancet, Transplantation) and basic science journals (Nature, J Biol Chem, Cell, Science, Proc Natl Acad Sci, J Clin Invest, Am J Physiol). Fellows are mentored in the application of skills to critically analyze and interpret data presented in journal articles.

Rotating Conference Series
Conferences cover hypertension, renal physiology (and its clinical application), core topics in nephrology, and a core teaching series in renal pathology. The hypertension series is in conjunction with the endocrinology division and features discussion of difficult cases and review of current literature.

CIIR Seminar Series
Research from faculty-sponsored research projects are presented by faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students. Outside faculty are also invited to present research.

Renal Physiology and Transplant Core Lectures
Basic physiology of the kidney is taught along with clinical applications. Transplant immunobiology and management issues are also discussed. The third Thursday is reserved for Nephrology Clinical Research where clinical trials and topics relevant to clinical research are discussed.

Transplant Conference
Members attend this conference from multiple subspecialties including Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Surgery and Nephrology. Topics in transplantation are presented and discussed by faculty and fellows.

Case Management Conference
Ongoing, active cases are discussed.

Fellows Conference
Various topics are discussed including clinical nephrology; theoretical and practical aspects of dialysis, electrolyte, fluid and acid-base disorders; and transplantation Nephrology. Over a period of two years, major topics on the Nephrology Subspecialty Board will have been covered.

Biopsy Conference
Conference is arranged by the faculty and attended jointly by adult and pediatric Nephrology, and pathology (Dr. Helen Cathro). Renal biopsies performed during the month are reviewed and discussed.

Summer Core Curriculum
A core nephrology curriculum is provided at the beginning of each academic year. This 2-month curriculum is intended to provide fundamental practical concepts in various topics in nephrology early in the training program. This permits the accelerated acquisition of core information used in management of outpatients and inpatients. Topics may vary from year to year but include: evaluation of renal function, hemodialysis (including continuous hemodialysis), peritoneal dialysis, evaluation and management of patients with acute and chronic renal failure, evaluation and management of acid-base and electrolyte disorders, evaluation and management of renal transplant patients, and others.

Following two years of training, the trainee will have confidence in evaluating and managing patients with a wide variety of kidney disorders, and will have had in-depth training in acute and chronic hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CVVHD), renal biopsy, apheresis, dialysis catheter placement, ultrasound and renal biopsies. Each fellow performs approximately 20 renal biopsies during his/her training period.

Mock Board Examination
At the end of the first year of training, our fellows take a mock board examination to determine their level of knowledge acquisition during the first year of training. Exam results are used to focus an individual's education to address any deficiencies.