Nephrology Fellowship
Geisinger’s Nephrology Fellowship, which immerses you in an active transplant program, prepares you to succeed in any clinical or academic setting.
About us
Do you want to become a nephrologist and train in a state-of-the-art program in a diverse community with faculty dedicated to your success at a world-class health system? Geisinger’s two-year Nephrology Fellowship is for you.
Our program, based at Geisinger Medical Center, will provide you with comprehensive training in clinical and academic nephrology. Whatever your career goals are in the field of nephrology, we can help you reach them. Our fellow graduates have an excellent success record on board exams, and practice in a variety of settings.
Our nephrology fellows are exposed to all aspects of general nephrology and transplant nephrology. As our nephrology fellow, you’ll train in a learning environment balanced among inpatient rotations, outpatient clinics and dialysis centers, didactic conferences, workshops and lectures, and research.
Our program distinguishes itself by attention to fellow well-being, a balance between inpatient and outpatient experiences and innovative teaching methods such as simulation, standardized patient programs and case-based learning.
By the end of your training, you’ll be competent in all aspects of inpatient and outpatient nephrology, including transplantation and acute and chronic dialysis therapy. The robust home dialysis curriculum in your second year will guarantee your competence in prescribing and promoting home dialysis therapies in your future career.
Our program’s board pass rate is above the national average. Many of our graduates enter clinical practice and academic nephrology, and some have pursued additional fellowship opportunities, including at Geisinger. Opportunities after graduation from our program include critical care, hospice and palliative medicine, and clinical informatics.
Outpatient rotations include:
- Nephrology clinic
- Transplant clinic
- Outpatient hemodialysis
- Home hemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
Inpatient rotations include
- General nephrology consults
- Inpatient dialysis service
- Transplant service
Our department has a strong culture of research and innovation, and faculty will mentor you in conducting original research. You’ll have a dedicated research rotation, and we’ll collaborate with you to submit your research for presentation at national conferences and for publication in major journals.
We also accept exceptional foreign medical graduates who haven’t completed an ACGME approved internal medicine program on a case-by-case basis.
We hope you’ll join us.
Program overview
Our curriculum is designed to help you become a competent, compassionate and well-rounded nephrologist. Each year, our faculty update the curriculum to reflect high-yield topics with a focus on clinical reasoning and interactive learning. Rotations are structured in 2-week blocks to create a healthy balance between inpatient and outpatient experiences.
First-year overview
In your first year, you'll focus more on inpatient rotations, including general nephrology consults and inpatient dialysis. This foundational training is complemented by significant outpatient exposure:
- Outpatient hemodialysis rotations
- Twice-monthly rounding with a dedicated faculty member in the dialysis unit
- Management of your own outpatient dialysis patient panel
- Continuity clinic every 2 weeks to build your own patient panel
Second-year overview
In your second year, you'll transition to more outpatient, transplant and research-focused rotations. You'll participate in a variety of specialty clinics and take on greater responsibility:
- Transplant clinic and multidisciplinary transplant clinic
- Kidney stone, polycystic disease, hypertension, glomerular and vasculitis clinics
- Active role in outpatient dialysis clinic and Facility Quality Improvement program
- Paired mentorship in peritoneal and home hemodialysis clinics
Simulation and communication skills training
You'll participate in hands-on simulation and workshops, including:
- Temporary dialysis catheter insertion
- Renal biopsy simulation
- Dialysis therapy simulations
- Communication skills workshops: breaking bad news, shared decision making, consent and dialysis options education
Additional learning opportunities
Fellows also participate in a variety of internal and external educational experiences:
- Mid-Atlantic First Year Renal Fellows’ Symposium (Gift of Life Institute, Philadelphia)
- Renal Biopsy in Medical Diseases of the Kidneys (Columbia University)
- Nephrotalk: Annual Communication Workshop for Nephrology Fellows
- Fundamentals of critical care training at Geisinger
- Simulation and standardized patient sessions
- Central line and renal biopsy simulation courses
- Bioethics seminar and cognitive skills courses
- Patient experience and safety workshops
- Baxter Health Care PD/CRRT workshops
- Curriculum vitae writing workshops
- Annual Resident and Fellow Scholarship Day
At Geisinger, the academic year is divided into 2-week blocks, allowing for dynamic, balanced training. Fellows rotate through a variety of inpatient, outpatient, research and elective settings across both years of training.
Sample rotation schedule
| Rotation | ||
| Inpatient Consults | ||
| Inpatient Hemodialysis | ||
| Inpatient Transplant | ||
| Outpatient Nephrology | ||
| Research | ||
| Elective |
This structure guarantees that fellows gain progressive responsibility and exposure to all core areas of nephrology, while also having time to explore individual interests and research.
Our call structure is designed to support a healthy work-life balance while guaranteeing excellent patient care and educational value.
What to expect:
- Weeknight call: 1 evening per week
- Weekend call: 1 weekend per month
- Holiday coverage: If you work a national holiday, you’ll receive a compensatory day off.
We strictly adhere to these limits to protect your time and well-being. Our program is committed to maintaining compliance with ACGME’s 80-hour workweek rule.
Support system:
We’re fortunate to have 4 advanced practitioners who help cover the call schedule. Their support makes sure fellows are not overburdened and can focus on learning and patient care.
We have a robust didactic schedule that covers all nephrology topics. During your training, you’ll have a didactic lecture or other learning experience every day.
Monday didactics
- Case-based learning, including weekly presentations/group discussions on interesting cases encountered by fellows
- Board review sessions
- Simulation workshops
Tuesday didactics
Core didactics on various nephrology topics including:
- Acid base
- Acute kidney injury
- Continuous renal replacement lecture series
- Chronic kidney disease
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Primary and secondary glomerular disorders
- Vasculitis
- Pathology
- Hypertension
- Diagnostic testing in kidney disease
- Transplantation
- Cystic and tubulointerstitial kidney disease
- Renal genetics and inherited kidney diseases
Wednesday didactics
Transplant multidisciplinary committee meeting:
- Transplant eligibility
- New transplants
- Transplant topics
Thursday didactics
- Renal journal club
- Renal M&M
- Renal grand rounds
- Renal pathology conference
- Rheumatology renal vasculitis multidisciplinary conference
Friday didactics
- Medicine morbidity and mortality conference
About Geisinger
Geisinger is a nationally recognized, physician-led health system serving over 1 million people across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. With a reputation for innovation and excellence, we’ve pioneered care models like ProvenCare® and leverage cutting-edge technology through our award-winning Epic® electronic medical record system.
Our integrated system includes:
- 10 hospital campuses
- 2 research centers
- A health plan with over 500,000 members
- Nearly 1,700 physicians and 24,000 employees
Together, we contribute more than $7.1 billion annually to our local economies — making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Why train in Danville, Pennsylvania?
Danville offers a unique blend of professional opportunity and personal quality of life. Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, it’s a place where you can focus on your training without the distractions of urban congestion.
What makes Danville special?
- Affordable cost of living – Enjoy a high quality of life without the financial stress of big-city expenses.
- Family-friendly neighborhoods – Safe, welcoming communities with excellent schools and amenities.
- No long commutes – Most fellows live within minutes of the hospital, giving you more time for what matters.
- Outdoor recreation – From hiking and kayaking to skiing and biking, nature is always just outside your door.
- Easy access to major cities – Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C., are just a few hours away.
Our recent graduates consistently highlight the balance between rigorous training and personal well-being as one of the most rewarding aspects of their time here.
A program that builds careers
We take great pride in our fellowship’s strong track record of retaining talent. Many of our graduates choose to stay within the Geisinger system, continuing to grow their careers in an environment that values collaboration, innovation and patient-centered care.
“I chose to stay at Geisinger because of the supportive culture, the opportunities for growth and the sense of purpose I found here.”
— Recent Graduate, Nephrology Fellowship
Our alumni are not just former trainees — they are valued colleagues and leaders who continue to shape the future of nephrology care at Geisinger.
Ready to join us?
If you're looking for a fellowship that combines academic excellence, clinical depth and a supportive, community-oriented environment, we invite you to explore what Geisinger has to offer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, all faculty members are board-certified in nephrology.