• a broad base of clinical experience in nephrology
• an opportunity to participate in the research and teaching activities

The program offers 2-3 years of training. The first year is devoted to clinical nephrology. During the second and third years emphasis is placed on research supplemented with ongoing clinical activity.

Living in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of the most interesting and livable cities in the United States. It began as a French colony, but was ruled alternately by the Spanish and French until the Louisiana Purchase brought it into the United States in 1803. All these influences and more have been retained in the present New Orleans. The original French settlement is alive in the French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, whose streets are essentially unchanged over the past 200 years. The city's boasts some of the finest and most well-known restaurants in the world, the result of a cuisine that reflects influences of French, Spanish, Caribbean, African and Cajun cultures. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and to inland waters makes it a seafood lover's paradise. At the turn of this century, this fertile environment also produced America's "classic" music: jazz. New Orleans' past is also preserved and blended into the present by many of its residential neighborhoods, such as the Garden District, along the famous St. Charles Avenue streetcar line.

New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city with an abundance of cultural and recreational activities. Along with traditional jazz, progressive jazz is found in many of its clubs. The city is home to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Opera company. The city boasts a fine arts museum, and a world-class zoo and aquarium. Among the annual events that attract visitors and locals are Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, jogging and other outdoor activities fostered by the mild year-round climate. The Superdome is home to the New Orleans Saints football team. The city is in close proximity of many points of interest, including the bayous of southern Louisiana, Cajun country, historical plantations and the Gulf Coast.

New Orleans is an extremely affordable city with reasonably priced housing and low income tax rates. The Health Sciences Center (click here for campus map) is located in the Central Business District, within a short walk of the French Quarter and within a few minutes' drive to quiet residential neighborhoods. Suburban living is easily accessible to the new residential areas of the West Bank, New Orleans East, and Jefferson Parish.

The division offers a comprehensive exposure to clinical nephrology in a wide range of clinical practice settings. The full-time clinical rotation is centered around the three major teaching hospitals of the Tulane Medical School, all adjacent to the Medical School: Tulane University Hospital, the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans and the Veterans Administration Hospital.

Tulane University Hospital and Clinics is a private institution providing 300 acute care beds. the Hospital is principally a multi-specialty tertiary care center and contains extensive state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities. One ward is dedicated to renal patients. There is a 6 station acute dialysis unit equipped with high flux hemodialysis machines, and additional peritoneal dialysis cycling machines are used for chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients admitted to the hospital. The renal service also consults on patients throughout the hospital. Over 60 renal transplantations are performed per year and are followed jointly by the nephrology and transplant surgical services.

The Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans is a 700 bed hospital that has been serving the needs of the indigent for over 250 years. The nephrology clinical activities are coordinated by the consult service.

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a 530 bed hospital, of which 263 beds are medical. The nephrology patients are seen on a consultative basis. Acute dialysis is provided through the dialysis unit.

Outpatient experience is ongoing throughout the fellowship. The outpatient dialysis unit, located across from Tulane University Hospital, provides state-of-the-art dialysis care to over 150 patients. Additionally, the unit provides training and support for CAPD; the current CAPD population is 40. Each Fellow is responsible for a dialysis shift under the guidance of one of the faculty members.

The Fellows attend the two outpatient teaching clinics located at the VA Medical Center and the Hutchinson Clinic (the ambulatory clinic of Charity Hospital).

Tuesday 1-2 p.m.
Current nephrological literature (clinical and basic) is discussed in detail. Scans of pertinent jounals are presented once per month.

Thursdays 4-5 p.m.
Current research of the different laboratories and faculty.

Thursdays 4:30-5:30 p.m. (alternates with research seminar)
Review of recent biopsies and case management by a renal pathologist and the nephrology staff.

Friday 1-2 p.m.
In-depth presentations of major topics in nephrology, including pathophysiology and clinical issues. Guest speakers are invited. Once a month, cases are presented for the medical housestaff.

The renal conferences are attended by all fellows and faculty. In addition, pediatric nephrologists participate in the conferences and the physiology department participates in the research conference.

Wednesday 12-1 p.m.

July and August
In place of the Tuesday journal club and Friday Grand rounds, lectures are given to introduce the fellows to nephrology including dialysis, transplantation, pathology and fluid and electrolyte disorders.