Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Comprehensive Training for the Next Generation of Pediatric Nephrologists

Founded in 1886, Children’s Hospital of Michigan is Michigan’s first and largest freestanding pediatric hospital. With 228 beds, the hospital provides specialized care for infants, children, and adolescents and serves as a major teaching institution for pediatric medicine. Its diverse patient population and high-volume clinical environment provide Pediatric Nephrology fellows with exceptional opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to care for children with a wide range of renal conditions.

The Pediatric Nephrology Division provides comprehensive exposure across the full spectrum of kidney disease—from newborns through young adults and from chronic kidney disease to dialysis and transplantation. Fellows participate in daily inpatient and consultation rounds, caring for approximately 10–20 patients, while gaining extensive outpatient experience through nearly 4,000 clinic visits each year. The division also manages an active dialysis program with approximately 20–25 patients and performs approximately 10 renal transplants annually.

Fellows benefit from a dedicated inpatient floor supported by residents and medical students, creating a collaborative environment for teaching and learning. The Nephrology clinic and dialysis unit are located in a specialty center directly across from the main hospital. The hemodialysis unit features 13 stations and provides ongoing care for children receiving dialysis three times a week, while the peritoneal dialysis program supports patients receiving dialysis at home. Together, these experiences provide fellows with broad, hands-on training in both the clinical management and longitudinal care of children with complex kidney disease.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Nephrology Department By the Numbers

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Hospital Beds
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Annual Clinic Visits
Dialysis Patients
Renal Transplants Annually

Message from the Program Director

Wael Abukwaik, MD – Program Director

Welcome to our Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship Program. Thank you for your interest in our division and for considering us as part of your training. Our faculty is highly experienced, engaged, and deeply committed to the success of our fellows. We offer a rich clinical experience that exposes trainees to diverse patient populations and clinical settings, providing the breadth and depth necessary to develop into excellent pediatric nephrologists. We offer a rich clinical experience that exposes trainees to diverse patient populations and clinical settings, providing the breadth and depth necessary to develop into excellent pediatric nephrologists.

Learn More

Our program is designed as a comprehensive and well-rounded training experience that supports the development of a successful academic or clinical career.  We are committed to providing fellows with special clinical training in very-well known referral hospital in our state. Fellows train in a gaining exposure to a wide spectrum of pathology. 

Fellows train in a high-volume, tertiary referral center, gaining exposure to a wide spectrum of renal pathology. This diverse clinical environment fosters the development of sound clinical judgment, procedural competence, and professional confidence. 

Our mission  is to train skilled, thoughtful, and pediatric nephrologists through a strong educational foundation that emphasizes clinical excellence, mentorship, and scholarly activity, We provide extensive experience in renal replacement therapies, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) [including neonates], and kidney transplantation. Fellows work closely with dedicated faculty who are passionate teachers invested in trainee’s success both professionally and personally.

Our program offers unique opportunities within several areas of recognized clinical strength including chronic kidney disease, renal transplantation, and advanced dialysis therapies. Fellows gain experience in both common and rare kidney diseases while caring for patients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This breadth of exposure ensures a well-rounded clinical education and prepares our trainees to meet the complex needs of pediatric patients with kidney disease.

We value teamwork, curiosity, compassion, and camaraderie, and we are intentional about creating an environment where fellows can thrive as physicians and as individuals. Watching our fellows grow into confident clinicians, educators, advocates, and future leaders is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

We are excited about the future of our field and would be honored to be part of your journey in pediatric nephrology.

Fellowship program Highlights

The Clinical training includes direct participation of the fellow in patient care. The fellow is exposed to hands-on experience with procedures including renal biopsy, hemodialysis (acute and chronic), peritoneal dialysis (acute and chronic), hemodiafiltration, and pre/intra/post-operative medical management of renal transplants. 

Training in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is provided in collaboration with the intensive care unit team.

A fellow sees continuity care patients in the General Nephrology Clinic and also attends and follows patients in multidisciplinary clinics including chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplant and vasculitis clinics.

Nephrology fellows have the unique opportunity to do a 2 week international rotation to enhance their experience in Pediatric Nephrology. Previous fellows have travelled to important Pediatric Nephrology centers in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Singapore for this elective and have had wonderful experiences.

A one week rotation to join living donor transplant team at national hospital, to attend in person the surgery of kidney donation and preparation for this procedure including the work up before, during and after the surgery.

Fellowship Overview

Comprehensive Training in a Supportive Environment

The Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Michigan offers fellows a comprehensive training experience designed to prepare them for confident, independent practice. Fellows gain broad exposure across inpatient and outpatient nephrology, dialysis, kidney transplantation, and complex renal disease while working closely with experienced faculty and a multidisciplinary care team. Through dedicated mentorship, research and quality improvement opportunities, and collaborative learning with specialists in urology, radiology, and pathology, fellows develop the clinical judgment and expertise needed to care for patients across the full spectrum of pediatric nephrology. All of this takes place within a close-knit fellowship community where faculty, nurses, and trainees work together as a team and support one another throughout the three-year journey.

Dr. Wael Abukwaik, MD
Fellowship Director

Welcome From the Chief

At Children’s Hospital of Michigan, pediatric nephrology fellows are challenged to develop the clinical expertise, confidence, and independence needed to care for children with complex kidney disorders. Just as importantly, fellows become part of a collaborative team where physicians and the entire care team work together to support patients and one another. With dedicated faculty mentorship, opportunities to pursue research and academic interests, and an environment where questions, ideas, and challenges are welcomed, our fellowship is designed to help each fellow grow both professionally and personally.

Gaurav Kapur, M.D.
Division Chief

Our Fellowship Program

Curriculum

  • Pediatric Nephrology fellows at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan are required to complete 10 months of clinical service as well 20 months of research with 4 weeks of vacation per year.
  • Although the first year of training primarily focuses on clinical training, the Fellow is expected to begin their research in the first year. They have one month dedicated to explore the research prospects, available facilities, and the available mentorship. The fellow attends the mandatory monthly research meetings in the Division to develop an overview on the current research activities in the division and identify areas of interest.
  • Starting from the first year, fellows’ attend the mandatory bi-weekly core lectures with important topics, provided by  faculty.
Learn More

Below is the curriculum for pediatric nephrology fellows:

  • 1st YEAR
    7 months Inpatient Rotation
    4 months Outpatient/Research rotation
  • 2nd YEAR
    9 months Outpatient/Research rotation
    2 months Inpatient rotation
  • 3rd YEAR
    9 months Outpatient/Research rotation
    6 week of  Inpatient Service/Junior Attending
    2 week of Urology rotation 

Education

  • Starting from the first year, fellows’ attend the mandatory weekly core lectures sponsored by the children’s Research Center of Michigan (CRCM). Fellows are required to attend these lectures and, more importantly, come prepared to ask questions about the topic. The lectures during this last academic year were devoted to hypothesis development, study design, data management, statistical analysis, IRB procedures, issues related to research with pharmaceutical companies, and bioethics.
  • A fellow sees continuity care patients in the General Nephrology Clinic and also attends and follows patients in multidisciplinary clinics including chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplant and vasculitis clinics.
  • Nephrology fellows also rotate through Urology and Radiology in their second year of training.
  • A carefully planned educational activity schedule enhances fellow’s training. This includes clinical case presentations and lectures given by faculty and fellows, weekly uro/radiology meetings where patients’ imaging studies are discussed, monthly research meetings where progress with research projects is monitored, a monthly journal club presented by fellows, weekly board review with a member of the faculty, and a monthly pathology conference where our own patient’s renal biopsy findings are discussed with a renal pathologist.

Research

  • A period of supervised research of high quality is essential for successful completion of the fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to present their research data at national meetings.
  • Research and scholarly activity are an integral part of fellowship training within our division. Fellows are encouraged to explore areas of personal interest and work closely with faculty mentors to develop meaningful academic projects throughout their training. Each fellow completes both a primary research project and a quality improvement initiative, allowing them to gain experience in study design, data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation skills.
  • Our fellows have successfully presented their work at conferences ranging from local and regional meetings to national scientific conferences. Many trainees also contribute to peer-reviewed publications, including original research manuscripts, case reports, review articles, and book chapters. We are proud to foster an academic environment that supports curiosity, innovation, collaboration, and the development of future physician-scholars.

Mentorship

  • Multiple options to conduct research in areas including pediatric nephrology, hypertension, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerular disorders, renal pathology, immunology, and transplant medicine. Fellows may choose to pursue basic, clinical, or translational research; quality improvement; biomedical informatics; or health policy.
  • Help identifying a mentor, whether within the Division or across the medical center.

Unique Learning Opportunities

Our Pediatric Nephrology fellows have access to unique elective experiences that extend learning beyond the traditional fellowship curriculum. Fellows may participate in a two-week international rotation at a leading Pediatric Nephrology center, with previous fellows gaining experience at institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Singapore.

Fellows also have the opportunity to spend one week with a living donor kidney transplant team, observing the donation process firsthand and gaining insight into the evaluation and preparation of donors before, during, and after surgery. In addition, an optional one-week rotation at Arkana Renal Pathology provides an immersive experience in renal pathology, allowing fellows to examine kidney biopsies firsthand and discuss complex cases directly with an experienced renal pathologist. Together, these opportunities allow fellows to broaden their clinical perspective, explore areas of special interest, and gain experiences that complement their core training in Pediatric Nephrology.

Our Current Fellows

Graduates in 2028

Agha Wali, M.D.

MEDICAL SCHOOL: I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

RESIDENCY: Bolan Medical Complex Hospital

Samia Aburawi, M.D.

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Tripoli Medical university 

RESIDENCY: Tripoli children program

Amna Madni, M.D.

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Red Sea University

RESIDENCY: Al Ahli Health Medical Center

Recent Graduate

Application Resources

fellowship program Contacts

Wael Abukwaik MD

Program Director, Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship Program

Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Division of Emergency Medicine
3901 Beaubien
Detroit, MI 48201

Phone: (313) 745-5604
Fax: 313-966-0039

Madison Coates

Fellowship Coordinator

Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Pediatric Education
3901 Beaubien Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48201

P: 313-745-9099
Fax: (313) 993-7118
coate1m@cmich.edu

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