Welcome to the Division of Nephrology in the University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Tucson. We are proud that U.S. News & World Report has ranked our program in the top 50 in the country (20182016, 2015) and continues to rate us as high performing for patient care. As the only academic division of nephrology in the state of Arizona, our goal is to provide high quality clinical nephrology care to our patients, to develop innovative and topical research programs that will impact upon the care that we deliver to our patients, and to be a teaching and training resource to our community...

Bekir Tanriover, MD, MPH, MBA, FAST
Chief, Division of Nephrology

Nephrology

The Division of Nephrology in the University of Arizona Department of Medicine and Banner University Medical Center – Tucson has active programs in clinical nephrology, teaching and training of fellows and residents, and a range of research opportunities. An important focus of the division is to emphasize translational and multi-disciplinary programs that truly go from bedside to bench to bedside in advancing patient care solutions.

At the clinical level, U.S. News & World Report has ranked nephrology care here among the top 50 programs in the country. Division faculty members care for patients with acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis, complex hypertension, bladder and kidney stones, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We are one of only four kidney transplant programs in the state of Arizona and have had a recent surge in kidney transplant activity, which has greatly benefitted our community. We also care for an increasing number of patients on hemodialysis, and have a growing home dialysis program (both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) as well. An important and unique strength has been our partnership with Dialysis Clinics Inc. (DCI) to create a nocturnal hemodialysis program.

Faculty members from the Division of Nephrology are also involved in multiple clinical trials (more than 10 trials at present) targeting diverse kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation, vascular access dysfunction and glomerulonephritis.

The Division of Nephrology also has vibrant research programs in CKD progression, organ transplantation, renal genomics, dialysis vascular access, device development and tissue engineering.

Last but not least, an important focus of the division is on mentorship. We recognize that our greatest strength is our faculty and fellows. And, while we are committed to growing our clinical and research portfolios, the most important thing that we want to grow and nurture is people—our staff, faculty and fellows!

News & Announcements

[Lupus Research Association image used to promote its recognition of U of A Arthritis Center director and Rheumatology division chief C. Kent Kwoh, MD]
Lupus Research Alliance Celebrates U of A’s Dr. Kent Kwoh for Native American Heritage Month

A story published online by the Lupus Research Alliance spotlights the Rheumatology division chief and U of A Arthritis Center director’s involvement with indigenous populations in Southern Arizona. Coming during Native American Heritage Month, this recognition serves as a wonderful tribute to the work being done to advance arthritis care throughout Native American populations.


[Kelsey Bernard, PhD, and Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD, are among U of A College of Medicine – Tucson co-authors of a paper in Experimental Neurology showing that, in an animal model, the protein PNA5 appears to have a protective effect on brain cells. The discovery could help Parkinson's patients.]
Study identifies potential new drug for Parkinson’s-related cognitive decline, dementia

Parkinson’s disease causes difficulty in movement and balance, but its cognitive symptoms receive less attention and have no good treatments. A U of A College of Medicine – Tucson team, including Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD, a neurology associate professor with a dual appointment in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, hopes to change that.


[A collage of images showing the Hospital Clínico Viedma entrance, Dr. Hinestroza, a map showing where Cochabamba is in Bolivia, and a presentation Dr. Hinestroza gave during her rotation there.]
Infectious Diseases fellows get chance at rotation in Bolivia in 2025

The Division of Infectious Diseases and U of A GME office signed a 5-year letter of agreement with the Hospital Clínico Viedma in Cochabamba, Bolivia, for a four-week elective rotation there led by assistant professor Monica Jordan Hinestroza, MD, this February. Apply today!