Nephrology

Welcome

Welcome to the webpage of the Division of Nephrology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. The division is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care, training the next generation of academic nephrology leaders, and to conducting research and innovation that will lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. The Division was the third center in the United States to offer chronic dialysis care, being a leader in home hemodialysis and also having a renal transplant program.

OUR HISTORY

The Division of Nephrology began under the leadership of Drs. Gene Sarles and Ray Remmers in the early 1960s. It was the third center in the United States to offer chronic dialysis-being a leader in home hemodialysis and a renal transplant program. During their leadership, UTMB Nephrology was a leading center for the development and provision of state of the art care of the renal patient. In 1984, Dr. Thomas DuBose assumed leadership and was instrumental in attracting numerous basic science investigators to the division including Drs. David Good, Rich Gurich, Elsa Bello-Reuss, and Robert Beach. During this decade, the division assumed a premier role in the physiologic understanding of the kidney. Dr. Beach followed from 1990-1994 and continued the development of the division as a leader in research and clinical care. Dr. Robert Safirstein became director from 1994-1998 and brought new cell biology investigations to the division. In recent history, the division was led by Dr. John Badalamenti, 1998-2000, Elsa Bello-Reuss from 2000-2004, Dr. Robert Beach from 2004-2008. In 2008, Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston and the hospital and clinics were closed for an extended period. In spite of this devastation, the division survived and provided patient care and education as Dr. Beach assumed both responsibilities and opened a clinic to maintain patient access. Dr. John Badalamenti resumed direction of the division in 2010 and has overseen its growth and prominence to date.

OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Nephrology Division of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care, training the next generation of academic nephrology leaders, and to research and innovation that will lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

Our faculty members are committed to providing leading-edge diagnosis and treatment for the entire spectrum of renal disease, with expertise in chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, renal transplantation, renal pathology, hemodialysis, glomerulonephritis, peritoneal dialysis, electrolyte and acid-base disorders, and kidney stones. We are dedicated to ensuring compassionate, high quality care to patients with end-stage renal disease.

On this site you will find links to physician bios and Curriculum Vitaes; information about our Fellowship Program and other educational endeavors, the location of our outpatient clinics and information about the inpatient units in the John Sealy towers, various ongoing research projects and how to contact us if you have any questions. 

OUR FACULTY

Our faculty members are committed to providing leading-edge diagnosis and treatment for the entire spectrum of renal disease, with expertise in chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, renal transplantation, renal pathology, hemodialysis, glomerulonephritis, peritoneal dialysis, electrolyte and acid-base disorders, and kidney stones. We are dedicated to ensuring compassionate, high-quality care to patients with end-stage renal disease.

At the present time, the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension consists of general, transplant, and intervention nephrologists along with support from advanced practice providers.

OUR EDUCATION

The Division of Nephrology’s strength and distinction has been at the level of medical school education with the Renal Fluid and Electrolyte (RFE) Course for the second-year medical students. This is a problem-based (not lecture-based) basic and clinical science renal course that has been well-received by the UTMB Curriculum Committee and the medical students who have participated. The Nephrology Fellowship Program has adapted aspects of the RFE Course to develop a Core Curriculum that is problem-based and has been well-received by fellows and faculty. Faculty participate in other medical school courses, such as POM 2, with excellent evaluations. We offer nephrology fellowship training. A one-year transplant nephrology fellowship has been recently supported by UTMB GME.

OUR PATIENT CARE

The Nephrology Division distinguishes itself by offering Chronic Home Dialysis (CHD), Peritoneal dialysis, Kidney-Pancreas Transplantation, and Interventional Nephrology. We also have subspecialty trained APPs. Division of Nephrology has started glomerulonephritis clinic, and moving towards kidney stone, hypertension, geriatric, and palliative nephrology clinics.