Will I receive excellent clinical training at the University of Iowa?

Yes! Our active inpatient service, dialysis unit, and transplant program allow fellows to learn through experience and personalized one-on-one teaching. The fellows’ continuity clinic teaches fellows to manage their own patients. And our didactic lecture series ensures that all American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Nephrology content specifications are covered on a 2-year rotating schedule. Fellows find that there is excellent balance between service expectations, protected research time, and learning. Our fellows graduate confident in their ability to care for patients across the full spectrum of pediatric nephrology.

What is the general outcome of your fellows?

All graduated fellows have passed the pediatric nephrology subspecialty board examination on their first attempt. All have obtained positions in pediatric nephrology at academic medical centers.  

How will I identify a research mentor and project?

The University of Iowa is a very strong research institution with basic, translational, and clinical research. Research mentors may be found within the division of pediatric nephrology but may come from another department depending on the fellow’s research interests. During the first few months of fellowship, fellows are encouraged to meet with several clinical and basic science investigators who have ongoing projects that match their own interests. The fellowship program director and associate program director will help facilitate these meetings. Should a fellow enter the program with a strong background in research or an identified project, a mentor with similar interests may be identified before the fellowship starts. A strong mentor-fellow relationship is imperative to success in research.

Will I have protected time to perform a research project and meet board eligibility requirements?

Yes. Research blocks are protected time. It is requested that fellows attend their outpatient continuity clinic and educational conferences. All other activities during research blocks should be dedicated to research, which allows our fellows to complete their research projects, meeting board eligibility requirements.

What is the call schedule?

Call is dependent on the rotations - during all three years fellows are expected to cover 2 weekends per month. During the inpatient rotations, nephrology fellows share call with the attending physicians every other night. 

Is a Masters Degree available to interested fellows?

Yes. A Masters in Medical Education is offered by the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. 

The University of Iowa Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation is designed for clinicians interested in pursuing careers in clinical research and is offered by the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology in cooperation with the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. 

Tuition discounts and tuition assistance are available. Schedule accommodations will be made to allow interested fellows to pursue a Masters Degree.  

Where is Iowa City?

Iowa City is 220 miles (3-4 hours) directly west of Chicago on Interstate 80. It's also within a 4-5 hour drive to Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and St. Louis. It has the cultural, educational, social, and political opportunities of a bigger city with the ambiance of a Midwestern town. It’s clean, safe, it has a great city bus system (with bike racks!), wonderful parks, sports, schools and even sailing. Nothing is farther than a 15 min drive, and there are many affordable and safe housing options near the hospital. Those who have lived here and left, frequently return because what they were looking for was in their own back yard. 

How ethnically diverse are the patients?

Like a lot of university towns, Iowa City has a large international community. Growing cultural diversity is another reason Iowa City is an interesting and exciting place to live. Diversity is embraced and celebrated with city and university events, festivals, clubs and programs. The University works hard to recruit and retain minorities with its affirmative action policies. About 13% of Iowa citizens are non-white as are almost 13% of the patients seen in our clinic.

What is it like to live in Iowa City?

Iowa City and the surrounding areas of North Liberty and Coralville are great places to live! Who doesn't love a commute time of less than 20 minutes? Explore what Iowa City has to offer through our Discover Iowa page.

Are there any job opportunities for my spouse/significant other?

The Iowa City area boasts many employment options with businesses large and small, including the University of Iowa, one of the state’s largest employers.  

Do you have a freestanding children's hospital?

Yes. The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is a freestanding state-of-the-art pediatric hospital opened in 2017.