Internal Medicine–Nephrology Pathway 

The Internal Medicine–Nephrology Pathway (IMNP) is designed for residents who have a strong interest in pursuing nephrology as a career. This innovative pathway integrates Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology fellowship training into a streamlined four-year curriculum, allowing participants to become board-eligible in both specialties. 

Pathway Structure

The four-year curriculum includes 30 months focused primarily on Internal Medicine and 18 months focused on Nephrology, with progressive integration of nephrology clinical experiences, ambulatory training, and didactics throughout the pathway.

Trainees are eligible for Internal Medicine board certification after three years and Nephrology board certification after completion of the fourth year.

Year One

Residents complete the standard first-year Internal Medicine curriculum while gaining early exposure to nephrology through nephrology and dialysis clinics during ambulatory blocks. Some elective time will also be spent on the inpatient nephrology consult service.

Year Two

Residents continue the standard Internal Medicine curriculum with more structured nephrology exposure. Ambulatory blocks include a half-day CKD clinic and a rotating half-day experience in glomerulonephritis or transplant clinic. Elective experiences focus on inpatient nephrology consultation, transplant consultation, and dialysis.

Year Three

• First six months: Residents continue a schedule similar to Year Two, including a CKD clinic session during ambulatory blocks.
• Second six months: Residents transition to the traditional Nephrology fellowship schedule and participate in the fellow call schedule. They continue their Internal Medicine continuity experience every fifth week while also participating in two CKD clinic sessions.

Year Four

Trainees complete a traditional Nephrology fellowship schedule.

Didactics

During the first 30 months, residents participate in the Internal Medicine core didactic curriculum, with opportunities to attend selected Nephrology educational conferences. At the beginning of Year Three, trainees participate in the Nephrology Summer Lecture Series, an intensive introduction to core nephrology topics. Beginning in January of Year Three, the curriculum transitions primarily to Nephrology-focused didactics.