Combined Nephrology-Palliative Care Fellowship Program
Welcome from the Program Directors
We are pleased to introduce the Combined Nephrology-Palliative Care Fellowship, a unique three-year program jointly offered by the Renal-Electrolyte Division and the Section of Palliative and Medical Ethics. Building on our institution’s national leadership and innovation in the emerging field of kidney palliative care, this program provides specialized, integrated training for one exceptionally qualified fellow each year. The ideal candidate is someone passionate about improving the quality of life and care for patients with kidney disease and committed to becoming a leader in this evolving discipline.
Advanced kidney disease represents a complex and serious illness marked by high symptom burden, low rates of advance care planning, and unpredictable clinical trajectories. Patients with kidney disease face distinct challenges across care settings. In the outpatient setting, aging patients with multimorbidity are increasingly common in nephrology clinics and dialysis units. In the inpatient setting, clinicians often manage acute kidney injury in critically ill patients and complications of overlapping cardiovascular and systemic diseases.
Fellows in this combined program benefit from the rich academic and clinical resources of two world-class training environments. Graduates will be fully trained and board-eligible in both nephrology and hospice and palliative medicine, equipped to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based care for patients with serious kidney disease. Each fellow will also complete a scholarly project that bridges the two fields, advancing knowledge and shaping the future of kidney palliative care.
This program offers more than dual certification by cultivating physicians who are skilled communicators, innovative thinkers, and empathetic leaders. By integrating the principles of nephrology and palliative medicine, graduates are uniquely prepared to transform kidney care delivery, guide multidisciplinary teams, and improve outcomes and experiences for patients and families across the continuum of care.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Wuenschel
Senior GME Department Manager
412-647-8394
wuenschelj@upmc.edu
Helbert Rondon, MD, MS, FACP, FASN, FNKF
Director, Nephrology Fellowship Training Program
Renal-Electrolyte Division
Department of Medicine
Ethan Silverman, MD
Program Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training Program
Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Division of General Internal Medicine
Department of Medicine
Jane Schell, MD, MS
Department of Medicine
Amar Bansal, MD
Renal-Electrolyte Division
Department of Medicine
Program Overview
The Program Overview below summarizes the core rotations of the Combined Nephrology–Palliative Care Fellowship. Fellows receive annual vacation time, which has been omitted here for simplicity.
Year 1
- Nephrology – 11 months
- Development of scholarly activity or research project – 1 month
- NephroTalk communication training
Year 2
- Nephrology – 4 months
- Inpatient palliative care consultation – 2 months
- Continue scholarly activity/research and electives in nephrology – 6 months (with at least 3 months at the Kidney Palliative Care Clinic)
- Nephrology continuity clinic throughout the year
Year 3
- Palliative care rotations (see Palliative Care Fellowship website for details)
- Inpatient palliative care consultation – 4 months
- Home care and hospice
- Inpatient unit – 6 weeks
- Home hospice – 4 weeks
- Long-term care – 2 weeks
- Outpatient continuity clinic throughout the year
- Clinic with Dr. Schell – 6 months
- Electives – 6 weeks
- PalliTalk communication training
How to Apply
For additional information or inquiries about the program, please contact Ms. Jane Wuenschel at wuenschelj@upmc.edu.