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.
Weston Hospital is regionally and nationally ranked for its expertise and care. 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.
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.
Application
Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS).
The candidate must register for both ERAS and the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). A candidate who has not registered with the NRMP cannot be considered during the ranking process.
Requirements for Cleveland Clinic Florida Nephrology Fellows:
Fellowship applicants must have completed three years in an ACGME-Accredited Internal Medicine Residency and be board-certified or board-eligible.
Required Documents for Complete myERAS Application:
- myERAS application.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Personal Statement.
- Three Letters of Recommendation (one from the program director).
- USMLE / COMLEX Scores (must have passed Steps I-III prior to start of fellowship year).
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
- ECFMG Status Report for International Medical Graduates (must have certification).
- Licensing Information and Board-Eligibility/Certifications (if applicable).
- Citizenship Status.
Faculty
Program Director
Nephrology Chair
Staff
Program Coordinator
Belinda Ortiz, MBA/MHA, Notary
Senior Program Coordinator
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, Florida 33331
Phone: 216.672-1093
Fax: 954.659.6216
Email: ortizb2@ccf.org
Nephrology Fellows
Class of 2025
Manuel Santos, MD
Chief Nephrology Fellow
University Central Del Caribe Escuela De Medicina, Puerto Rico
Class of 2026
Syed Husain, MD
Nephrology Fellow
Ziauddin Medical College, Pakistan
Alumni
Class of 2023
Andrea Linares, MD
Class of 2022
Sushma Medikayala, MD
Class of 2021
Mina Yossef, MD
Class of 2020
Pablo Puello Diaz, MD
Class of 2019
Emmanuel Bahamonde, MD
Benefits
Benefits information including salaries, insurance information and more, can be found by visiting the Graduate Medical Education Benefits page.
Fellowship Program Wellness
Nephrology Fellowship Program – Cleveland Clinic Florida
We recognize that fellowship training in many medical specialties can be impacted by physician burnout.
Accordingly, a variety of resources are available to our fellows for the purpose of promoting trainee wellness and combating burnout:
- Psychological support and counseling at no charge.
- Assigned trainee Advisors who serve as sources of guidance and mentoring throughout their training.
- Orientation reception designed to promote a collegial environment where the new trainees interact with each other, already established residents, fellows, and staff to welcome them to our institution.
- Yearly Resident/Fellow Appreciation Week offering activities and events that highlight our appreciation and recognition for their contribution not only to our institution, but also to those we serve.
- Doctor’s Day events hosted by the Education Center for all programs in Cleveland Clinic to attend and participate.
- Periodic staff/trainee luncheon events designed to promote interaction in a fun and non-stressful environment.
- Wellness stipend $200 per Academic year. Can be used for personal extracurricular activities such as a ticket to a Heat game/Botanical gardens/Theater/Movies, etc.
- Lectures on resident/fellow well-being and fatigue mitigation strategies as part of our Academic Lecture Series.
- The Cleveland Clinic Learning Center offers residents educational modules on Safety, Communication, Fatigue Mitigation, Chemical Dependency, Disruptive Behavior, Sexual Misconduct, Diversity and Inclusion, our Culture of Safety, Physician Impairment, Fire Prevention, Crime Prevention, Infection Prevention, Health Services, Radiation Safety, MRI Safety, Back Safety, Diversity and Inclusion, Fluoroscopy & Radiation Protection, MRI Safety, HIPAA, Patient Safety, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protection, TB Exposure Prevention, Professionalism and self-assessment.
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.
