For over 45 years, the nephrology fellowship program at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center has prepared fellows to become superb nephrologists, both clinically, and in bench and clinical research. The fellowship program prepares nephrologists to become compassionate and efficient providers of medical care to an underserved community. Our fellows are encouraged to become lifelong learners in medicine and nephrology, and to work closely with medical residents and medical students to ensure a steady supply of nephrologists committed to remaining in our community. Our fellows are encouraged to advocate for patients on a systems level, and to engage in public health outreach.  

Leadership:

Chief and Program Director 

Samuel Spitalewitz, M.D. 

Medical Director of Hemodialysis 

Lutfi Alasadi, M.D. 

Supervising Physician of Outpatient Nephrology and Hypertension Services 

Puneet Bedi, M.D. 

Emeritus Chief of the Division and the Director of the Renal Research Laboratory 

Shan-Yih Chou, M.D. 

There are five full-time physicians and three visiting staff nephrologists in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. 

Activities

(included but not limited to)

• management of clinical renal disease

• hypertension

• disturbances of water and electrolyte metabolism

• chronic kidney disease

• acid-base disturbances

• transplantation problems

Our fellows are trained in the performance of:

• kidney biopsies

• appropriate utilization of acute and chronic intermittent hemodialysis

• continuous renal replacement therapies

• placement of temporary dialysis catheters

• home hemodialysis

• chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

There is a monthly biopsy conference that reviews all biopsies utilizing light electron microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques.

Our fellowship program is uniquely designed to provide a careful balance between direct patient care and didactic instruction. We provide a balanced workload so fellows have sufficient time for textbook review and preparation for seminars. Seminars are provided by full-time attending’s 3-4 times weekly. Attendings conduct daily bedside rounds (including weekends) with fellows, providing one-on-one instruction on patient care and assign further readings when applicable. Rounds occur both in the hospital and in the ambulatory clinic, and patients are always seen with an attending closely supervising.