Combined Nephrology - Critical Care Medicine Track

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Program Overview
Curriculum
Combined Track Integration

Program Overview

Allegheny Health Network is one of the few programs in the country to offer a 3-year Combined Nephrology-Critical Care Medicine track. This track was established in collaboration with Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital.

In addition to general nephrology training, selected fellows will spend a total of 12 months in the medical, surgical, neuro, and trauma intensive care units. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in research projects, combined conferences, and other scholarly activities in the areas of overlap between Nephrology and CCM.

Upon completion of the 3-year track, fellows will be eligible for board certification in both nephrology and critical care medicine. This specialized track will provide fellows with a variety of job opportunities and a unique set of skills to practice both nephrology and critical care medicine.

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Curriculum

The 3-year combined track is designed to provide excellent training in clinical nephrology and critical care medicine, to motivate and inspire innovative clinical research; and to prepare our trainees to become board certified in both nephrology and critical care medicine.

The program faculty is dedicated to the goal of providing a comprehensive educational environment that promotes the professional development of fellows. In addition to clinical experience, a significant portion of the fellow’s education is attained through lectures, conferences, teaching rounds, research, and literature. The curriculum is designed to allow fellows the opportunity to attend lectures, conferences, participate in teaching, conduct research and also have sufficient time for review and study of current literature.

Visit the Curriculum section of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine Fellowship page for additional information.

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Combined track integration

Fellows will find that the Nephrology-Critical Care track allows them to feel like a part of both the Nephrology and Critical Care divisions throughout the three-year program. Starting in their first year, combined track fellows join the Critical Care Medicine team for orientation activities.

• STAR Center Skills Lab Simulation – A one-day course covering:
  • Central and arterial lines: Indications, contraindications, preparation, technique, complications and their management.
  • Bronchoscopy: Integrating fundamental bronchoscopic techniques, gaining cognitive knowledge and clinical decision making skills.
  • Airway management: Provide practical, effective skills and strategies for intubation.
• Cadaver Lab – The human cadaver lab, in collaboration with our Anesthesia Residency Program augments their procedural experience in direct laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, chest tube placement, pigtails, perc trach and crics ensuring optimal hands-on training while providing confidence and ensuring patient safety. The lab also enhances the fellows understanding of the gross human anatomy.
• Orientation lectures – Given by Critical Care Medicine faculty, these introductory lectures cover topics such as “Ventilator Basics, “Pulm Emergencies”, and “Glidescope”

In addition, the combined track fellows will have the opportunity to participate in weekend buddy calls and attend and present at multidisciplinary conferences and key CCM lectures.

• Monthly Multidisciplinary Case Conference – includes faculty and fellows from Nephrology, Infectious Disease, and Pulmonary-Critical Care
• Weekly Combined Track Fellows Conference – rotating topics include Journal Club, Board Review, and M&M presentations
• Core Curriculum Didactic Conferences – fellows will have access to both Nephrology and Pulmonary Critical Care lecture schedules 

Combined track fellows are invited to participate in team building activities with both programs such as holiday parties, picnics, and monthly No Work Zone Friday lunches.

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