The Division of Nephrology is dedicated to serving people with kidney disease. Despite major advances in medicine, kidney disease continues to increase and has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Faculty in the division practice and teach optimal care for patients with a broad spectrum of kidney diseases at all stages. In addition, faculty members are actively involved in high-quality basic science, outcomes, and clinical research aimed at better treatment options as well as prevention of kidney-related health issues.
Focused on Patient Care
We provide state-of-the-art care to patients from across the country in all areas of kidney disease – acute and chronic kidney diseases, cystic diseases of the kidney, diabetic kidney disease, fluid and electrolyte disorders, glomerulonephritis and glomerular diseases, lupus, hypertension, kidney and pancreas transplantation, kidney-related metabolic disorders, kidney stones, and rate and genetic kidney diseases. Our division consists of over 50 faculty members who care for patients at the Nephrology Clinic at Taubman Center, Nephrology at Brighton Center for Specialty Care, Nephrology at Northville Health Center, and the University of Michigan Hospital.
Focused on Research
Our faculty are conducting exciting and innovative basic science, clinical, and outcomes-based research, all devoted to finding new ways to prevent and treat kidney disease. Research achievements include:
- The Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE), led by Dr. Matthias Kretzler, receives a third five-year cycle of funding
- In a four-year collaboration with AstraZeneca, Dr. Matthias Kretzler co-leads a cross-functional team of experts in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of chronic kidney disease
- Dr. James Shayman develops the drug, Cerdelga, a first-line oral treatment for adults with Gaucher disease type 1
- The University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center awarded a five-year, $8.5M federal contract to serve as the coordinating center for the United States Renal Data System
Focused on Education and Training
Our division prides itself on the high value we place on education and training for faculty and fellows. We work continuously to improve the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of kidney disease, whether it’s through our:
- Weekly clinical and research conferences which cover a broad range of kidney disease topics
- Three training programs (Nephrology Fellowship Program, Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Program, and Postdoctoral Training Program in Kidney Research ) which offer rich and diverse clinical and research experiences
- Updates in Nephrology for the Primary Care Provider continuing medical education course, which provides health care professionals with the latest information on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of kidney disease
Leadership
Chief, Subramaniam Pennathur, MD
Dr. Subramaniam Pennathur completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Nephrology at Washington University in Saint Louis, where he served as Chief Resident. He then completed research fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Washington University in Saint Louis, and the University of Washington in Seattle.
In addition to Dr. Pennathur's role as Chief for the Division of Nephrology, he also serves as the Director of the Molecular Phenotyping and Metabolomics Core and the Physician Scientist Program in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Pennathur's research has focused on the applications of biological mass spectrometry in disease pathogenesis. His lab has utilized mass spectrometry to identify key protein and metabolite alterations in disease states and tested the hypothesis whether these alterations predict complications in animal models and humans. Their strategy has been to develop analytical techniques in animal models and validate these markers in humans and then interrogating the animal model for biological pathway relevance. Recent extension of this work has included targeted as well as unbiased metabolomic and proteomic profiling.
Faculty Leadership
Faculty Leadership - Clinical Appointments
Michael Heung, MD, MS
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Associate Chief, Clinical Affair
Silas Norman, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Transplant Ambulatory Care Unit
Interim Co-Director, Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Program
Julie Wright, MD
Associate Professor
Lenar Yessayan, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
CEO, Michigan Dialysis Service
Medical Director, Inpatient Dialysis Program
Faculty Leadership - Administrative Appointments
Mona Doshi, MBBS
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Interim Co-Director, Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Program
Puneet Garg, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Chief of Nephrology, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Panduranga Rao, MD, DNB, MS
Richard D. Swartz MD Collegiate Professor of Nephrology
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Nephrology Fellowship Program
Balazs Szamosfalvi, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Peritoneal and Home Hemodialysis Program
Division Administrator
Jason Ceo
Division Administrator
1500 East Medical Center Drive
3914H Taubman Center, SPC 5364
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-936-4888
cjason@med.umich.edu
Weller Alumni Society
The Weller Society brings together alumni, faculty, and friends of the University of Michigan Division of Nephrology. The Society is named after Dr. John Weller, who served as the first Chief of Nephrology at the University of Michigan from 1964-1977.
Established in 1964, the University of Michigan Division of Nephrology has grown tremendously over the last 50 years and is now internationally recognized for its patient care, research, and education. The division's success today has been built on a tradition of excellence which first started when Dr. John M. Weller accepted to become Nephrology's first division chief.
Dr. John Weller earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan in 1940 and his Doctor of Medicine degree at Harvard in 1943. After a decade in which he completed his residency and taught at Harvard, he returned home to the University of Michigan as an assistant professor in 1953. Shortly following his arrival, he was called away for a year and a half service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Following his stint in the Army, Dr. Weller resumed his career at the University of Michigan, rising up through the ranks in Nephrology to become a full professor in 1963. He was tapped to become Nephrology’s first division chief as the growing unit was formed into an independent division of Internal Medicine in 1964. Dr. Weller held membership in numerous professional societies, played a key leadership role in the activities of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, and was the author of numerous scientific publications as well as several books concerned with diseases of the kidney. Dr. Weller held the position until 1977.
Contact Us
Administrative Office
Jason Ceo
Division Administrator
1500 East Medical Center Drive
3914H Taubman Center, SPC 5364
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-4888 (non-patient related calls only)
cjason@med.umich.edu
Academic Office (Division Chief)
Imm-Kee Lang
Administrative Assistant to the Chief
Department of Internal Medicine
Brehm Tower, Suite 5100, SPC 5714
1000 Wall Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: (734) 936-5645 (non-patient related calls only)
dikmj@med.umich.edu
Patient Inquiries
- For our clinic information, specialty clinics, procedure information and more, please visit the Kidney Disease (Nephrology) section on UofMHealth.org.
- Michigan Medicine Patient and Visitor Guide
