Overview
Specialists at the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital are dedicated to teaching the next generation of nephrologists. We offer a two-year Nephrology Fellowship program in Weston, Florida. Our program covers comprehensive training in all aspects of clinical nephrology.
About the Nephrology Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital
Nephrology fellows receive training from our nationally recognized kidney specialists. Our doctors have deep experience treating common and complex kidney diseases and blood pressure disorders.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) certifies our program. Eligible candidates include doctors who’ve completed a three-year ACGME-accredited internal medical residency.
Newsweek named Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital the highest-ranked hospital in South Florida as part of its World’s Best Hospitals analysis. Read more about our hospitals’ awards and recognition.
Nephrology Fellowship program: What we offer
Our nephrology fellows receive advanced training in:
- Comprehensive diagnostic tests and therapies for patients with kidney disease and hypertension.
- Management of complex and common kidney diseases, including glomerular diseases, kidney stones and comorbid conditions, such as liver and heart disease.
- Therapies for difficult-to-treat blood pressure disorders, including resistant hypertension.
- All modalities of dialysis care, including home dialysis therapies, continuous kidney replacement therapies, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- Plasmapheresis.
- Kidney transplantation, including living kidney donor services.
- Research and clinical trials.
Apply for our Nephrology Fellowship
Learn more about applying for the Nephrology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Goals & Objectives
The Nephrology Fellowship program at Cleveland Clinic in Florida is a two-year, accredited training program. We’re here to help advance the career development of each of our fellows. We prepare you for success wherever you practice.
You receive the education, skills and test preparation you need to take and pass the American Board of Internal Medicine® (ABIM) nephrology certification exam.
Our fellowship program helps develop communication skills for collaborating with a multidisciplinary team that may include primary care physicians, consultants and allied health professionals. It also provides fellows with:
- Experience diagnosing and treating patients who have a wide range of kidney diseases, hypertensive disorders, and electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities.
- Skills in the practice of health promotion and disease prevention for all patients.
- Ability to assess and manage hospitalized patients, critically ill patients and patients receiving care at outpatient clinics.
- Proficiency in assessing and caring for patients receiving all dialysis modalities, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous kidney replacement therapies.
- Competencies in dialysis catheter placements, urinalysis, analysis of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, point-of-care kidney and bladder ultrasonography, kidney biopsies and plasmapheresis.
- Clinical research skills, including the use of appropriate clinical and academic resources and opportunities for clinical investigation.
- Assistance and mentoring in the submission of research abstracts, manuscripts and presentations.
Apply for a Nephrology Fellowship
Learn more about applying for the Nephrology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
The Program
The Nephrology Fellowship program at Cleveland Clinic in Florida provides fellows with the advanced education, subspecialty competencies and expertise needed to succeed as independent practitioners.
Our faculty are committed to providing tools and resources to help you achieve your career goals. These resources include:
Didactic lectures and conferences
Fellows attend weekly didactic lectures on Tuesdays and Thursdays held by nephrology staff. Fellows may also attend virtual conferences available through the Nephrology and Hypertension Fellowship Training Program at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Additional learning opportunities include:
- Clinical case conferences.
- Clinicopathologic nephrology conferences.
- Kidney Self-Assessment Program (KSAP) reviews.
- Monthly nephrology journal clubs.
- Nephrology board review conferences.
- Presentation of nephrology topics as part of the core curriculum.
Education
Our program has a two-year revolving core conference series. We offer a variety of comprehensive, multidisciplinary didactic conferences to promote expertise in the fields of nephrology and hypertension.
Fellows attend weekly:
- Nephrology grand rounds.
- Core curriculum conferences.
Fellows also attend monthly:
- Journal club.
- Morbidity and mortality conferences.
- Pathology conferences.
- Research and case conferences.
Research
Under the guidance of a research mentor, each fellow designs their own research project that aligns with their career objectives. The research should result in a peer-reviewed work presentation, such as a national conference poster or a journal publication.
Rotations
The first year of fellowship rotations focuses on developing strong fundamentals in clinical inpatient nephrology. The second year of rotations sharpens ambulatory expertise and fosters each fellow’s career goals.
First-year fellow schedule
During the first year, fellows spend:
- Six months concentrating on inpatient consults.
- Two months focused on kidney transplantation.
- Two months dedicated to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- One month devoted to interventional nephrology.
- One month of research.
Second-year fellow schedule
During the second year, fellows spend:
- Six months concentrating on inpatient consults.
- Two months focused on kidney transplantation.
- Two months dedicated to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- Two months of research.
Additional training
Each fellow participates in a weekly outpatient continuity clinic and follows a panel of patients throughout the fellowship. Fellows also receive point-of-care kidney and bladder ultrasound training in outpatient and inpatient settings.
Evaluations
Each fellow receives:
- Monthly oral and written evaluations via MedHub.
- Formal program director evaluations at least twice per year.
- Opportunity to evaluate the fellowship program and staff at least twice per year.
Apply for a Nephrology Fellowship
Learn more about applying for the Nephrology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Living in Weston, Florida
Part of the Miami metropolitan area, Weston is a culturally diverse area that consistently ranks among the state’s safest cities. In the past, USA Today, Family Circle magazine and Money magazine have all named Weston as one of the top places to live in the U.S.
The city’s South Florida location offers easy access to a variety of entertainment and sports venues, as well as some of the state’s most beloved beaches. The city’s western edge borders Everglades National Park, providing unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreational activities.
With an average summer temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and an average winter low of 68 F, you’ll always be able to enjoy this beautiful city.
Learn more about Weston.
Application
We only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS). Candidates must also register with the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP) to be considered.
Nephrology Fellowship requirements at Cleveland Clinic in Florida include:
- Three years’ participation in an internal medicine residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
- Board certification or eligible for board certification.
Required documents for application:
- MyERAS® application and NRMP registration.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Personal statement.
- Three letters of recommendation, including one from your internal medicine program director.
- Scores from the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) (you must pass USMLE steps or COMLEX-USA levels 1 through 3 prior to the start of the fellowship year).
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
- Status report from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)™ (international applicants must have certification).
- Licensing information and board-eligibility or certifications (if applicable).
- Citizenship status.
Benefits
Salary is at the PGY4-5 level plus fringe benefits as listed in the Resident/Fellow Benefits.
| Grad Level | Current Pay Rate |
| 4 | $66,158 |
| 5 | $69,104 |
Paid Time Away: Vacation, Maternity, & Paternity
- Vacation: 3 weeks (15 working days) provided at the beginning of each academic year.
- Maternity: 6 weeks paid leave for natural childbirth or adoption; 8 weeks for cesarean section. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
- Paternity: 6 weeks paid leave. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Insurance
- Healthcare: Cleveland Clinic in Florida covers 50% of annual Healthcare Plans for Clinical Trainees and their families. Effective on the first day of training with no waiting period.
- Dental and Vision Care: Cleveland Clinic in Florida covers 100% of annual Dental and Vision Care Plans for Clinical Trainees.
- Maternity Care: 100% coverage is provided through the health care plan that you select within the plan's guidelines.
- Pharmaceuticals: As outlined by the Cleveland Clinic in Florida Health Plan.
- Malpractice: Paid by the Cleveland Clinic Educational Foundation/Cleveland Clinic Florida. Limited to activities within the training program.
- Life Insurance: $25,000 term group policy.
Travel Privileges and Other Education Activities
Senior residents, chief residents, and fellows in ACGME and NON-ACGME programs that meet eligible criteria as outlined in the Graduate Physicians Manual may be approved to attend academic meetings for the purpose of presenting or engaging in leadership roles within national societies. They will be eligible up to 5 days per academic year with a maximum reimbursement of $1,200 per academic year.
Additional Benefits
- Book Allowance: A $250 educational allowance per year is available to all clinical residents/fellows. Primary use is for textbooks.
- Cell phones: Apple iPhone provided to all residents.
- Uniforms: Supplied by Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Faculty
Program Director
Nephrology Chair
Staff
Program Coordinator
Janine S. Rodrigues, MLIS, Notary
Senior Program Coordinator
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, Florida 33331
Phone: 754.228.2734
Fax: 954.659.5662
Email: rodrigj17@ccf.org
Nephrology Fellows
Class of 2023
- Manuel Santos, MD
Alumni
Class of 2019
- Emmanuel Bahamonde, MD
Class of 2020
- Pablo Puello Diaz, MD
Class of 2021
- Mina Yossef, MD
Class of 2022
- Sushma Medikayala, MD
Class of 2023
- Andrea Linares, MD
