Renal Diseases and Hypertension

Welcome

The Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension strives to provide state-of-the-art patient care, innovative teaching, and cutting-edge research. These efforts are fostered by a dedicated and talented faculty of physicians and scientists, a vital and progressive academic community, superb multidisciplinary research opportunities, and a rich clinical environment with a tradition of excellence in patient care. We recently completed a strategic planning process, which calls for continued focused growth in research, clinical training, and clinical practice.

The division has long been acknowledged as a center for teaching excellence, for medical students, residents, and nephrology fellows. Our Nephrology Training Program is the signature educational component of the division, and it is dedicated to excellent teaching in the context of superb clinical care. Our training program offers a balance of clinical and bench research experience, as well as superb clinical experience at four hospitals, three outpatient clinic sites, and two outpatient dialysis facilities. A large and diverse patient population provides fellows with stimulating and unique training experiences and the opportunity to apply new advances in renal diseases and hypertension to their clinical practice. Our fellowship training program enrolls 4–5 fellows each year and is supported by federal grants as well as hospital funds.

A distinguished faculty also conducts world-class research and mentors trainees pursuing careers in academic medicine. These research efforts seek to understand and develop improved treatments for renal diseases and hypertension. Ongoing clinical investigations study hypertension, chronic and end-stage kidney disease, outcomes of renal disease and delivery of care, toxic nephropathies, acute renal failure, and dialysis modalities in the intensive care unit. Basic research into vascular biology, gene regulation, gene deliver, nephrotoxicity, fibrosis, ion transport, and inflammation is supported by federal grants. The Division receives a substantial amount of extramural research funding. We have begun a sustained effort to recruit the best physicians and researchers in these areas and to invest in these programs. We also enjoy close collaborations with other institutions in the Texas Medical Center, including and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Texas Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Texas Heart Institute.

The division has been recognized in national rankings for the delivery of superb clinical care. This reflects our comprehensive range of clinical services, compassionate and knowledgeable physicians, and outstanding facilities. The division provides clinical consultation in all aspects of renal diseases, fluid, acid-base, mineral, and electrolyte metabolism, hypertension, and transplantation. The division also provides acute dialysis services, including a large number of continuous renal replacement therapies, for inpatients, as well as outpatient dialysis to a large population of patients.

I invite you to explore the programs and opportunities of the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension.

Kevin W. Finkel, MD, FACP, FASN
Director, Renal Diseases and Hypertension