The Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is a new program starting on July 1, 2025. This fellowship was established to address the growing demand for nephrologists with expertise in managing complex obstetric nephrology cases. One fellowship position is available each academic year.

Positions

The Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has one position available for fellows who are on track to enter their second year of fellowship in the upcoming academic year. Competitive applicants will apply early and express interest to their program director by November of their first year of the Nephrology Fellowship. 

Qualifications

Applicants for the Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship program must have completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) three-year Internal Medicine Residency program and their first year of Nephrology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Also see general admissions requirements.

How to apply

You must apply through Recruit, a third-party application service. No matching service is used.

Applications are accepted throughout the year for consideration. Please note that our academic year beings on July 1 and runs through June 30 of the following year.

1. To apply to the program, visit the CRM Recruit website. All applications to Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education programs must include these application materials.
   
   In addition, this fellowship requires two letters of recommendation, one of which is from your fellowship program director or department chair.
   
   
2. Applicants considered for an appointment will be invited to an in-person interview with the program director and select faculty members. Interviews are usually conducted between November and December. 

During the Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship, you will work with obstetric nephrology and hypertension specialists for at least one day each week. In parallel, you will maintain your nephrology continuity clinic and will actively participate in a research project focused on obstetric nephrology throughout the fellowship.

You will manage patients with a range of conditions, including pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia, acute kidney injury during pregnancy and postpartum, advanced chronic kidney disease in pregnant patients requiring dialysis, and the management of immunosuppressive therapy in pregnant patients with solid-organ transplants.

Assigned faculty members will gradually introduce obstetric nephrology patients to you in a step-wise manner. First, you will evaluate the patient and then present the case to the assigned faculty member for the day. Initially, you will receive close supervision for each case, with the faculty member guiding the management process. As you gain confidence and expertise, you will begin to formulate your own management plans to present to the faculty member. The program director will also meet regularly with you to provide mentorship and guidance throughout the fellowship.

Obstetric Nephrology Clinic: You will participate in a once-weekly clinic day dedicated to managing patients with kidney-related concerns during pregnancy. The clinic will focus on a range of conditions including pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, acute kidney injury during pregnancy and postpartum, chronic kidney disease in pregnancy, and the management of kidney transplant recipients. You will be actively involved in patient evaluation, renal function assessment, and the development of personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs, all under the supervision of an obstetric nephrology specialist.

General Nephrology Clinics: You will continue to participate in the regular nephrology continuity clinic, where you will manage a wide variety of kidney-related conditions, gaining exposure to both common and complex cases. This clinic will offer you a valuable opportunity to build a strong foundation in nephrology, including the diagnosis, management, and ongoing follow-up of diverse renal disorders.

High-Risk Obstetric Clinic: You will be involved in the care of pregnant women who have underlying medical conditions that place them and their pregnancies at increased risk. These conditions may include hypertension, glomerular disorders, chronic kidney disease, or kidney transplant. The clinic will provide you with comprehensive experience in managing complex, high-risk pregnancies while working closely with an interdisciplinary team of specialists.

Research: You will engage in research focused on obstetric nephrology, with the goal of collecting and analyzing data to present at the conclusion of the fellowship. You will be encouraged to present your findings at relevant conferences and contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Obstetric Nephrology Consultative Service: You will develop proficiency in the evaluation and management of electrolyte disorders during pregnancy, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of new-onset or flare-ups of underlying glomerular diseases. Additionally, you will become skilled in the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury (AKI) during pregnancy and the postpartum period, learning to identify underlying causes, initiate appropriate treatments, and monitor both maternal and fetal health.

Medical School Renal Block: You will participate in small group teaching and clinical shadowing for Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students at the direction of the Renal Block Director.

Teaching Skills Workshop: You will receive expert instruction in teaching methods and modalities tailored specifically to medical education. This training will focus on effective communication, instructional strategies, and the use of various teaching tools to facilitate learning, both for peers and future medical students or residents. The goal is to equip you with the skills necessary to become an effective educator.

Hypertension in Pregnancy Society Conference: You will have the opportunity to participate in national and international conferences dedicated to key topics related to hypertension in pregnancy. These conferences will cover the latest updates in pathophysiology, early detection, risk management, and maternal-fetal outcomes associated with hypertension in pregnancy. Additionally, you will explore cutting-edge research, current clinical guidelines, and global health perspectives, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the condition's challenges and the advancements in care on a global scale.

Didactic training

You will have a mix of research and outpatient clinic education. There is no on-call requirement for this fellowship.

You will participate and/or attend the following educational conferences:

• Nephrology and Hypertension Grand Rounds
• Nephrology Core Conference
• Nephrology and Hypertension Journal Club
• Acid Base/Electrolyte Conference
• Renal Biopsy Conference
• Nephrology Genomic Odyssey Board Meeting
• Maternal and Fetal Medicine Conference

Didactic education occurs on a consistent interval so that trainees can plan accordingly.

Conferences

Nephrology and Hypertension Grand Rounds – Occurs on Tuesdays between 7:30-8:30 a.m. This conference is designed for faculty members to share their latest research and clinical practices.

Nephrology Core Conference – Occurs on Thursdays between 12-1 p.m. This conference is geared towards nephrology fellow education with a wide range of topics that includes obstetric nephrology topics.

Nephrology and Hypertension Journal Club – Occurs on Fridays between 7:30-8:30 a.m. This conference consists of a critical review of a scholarly journal article by a fellow and subsequent discussion.

Acid Base/Electrolyte Conference – Occurs on select Fridays between 7:30-8:30 a.m. in place of Nephrology and Hypertension Journal Club. The goal of this conference is to present a teaching case focused on acid-base and electrolyte disturbances, highlighting key teaching points.

Renal Biopsy Conference – Occurs on Fridays between 12-1 p.m. Our renal pathologists and faculty members review interesting renal biopsy cases from the past week. You will have the opportunity to examine the slides alongside the renal pathologists to develop a pathologic diagnosis. Following this, the case is discussed in detail by the treating physician, renal pathologist, and other audience members, fostering a collaborative learning environment and deepening the fellows' understanding of renal pathology.

Nephrology Genomic Odyssey Board Meeting – This is a monthly educational and collaborative event designed to explore the latest advancements in the genetic underpinnings of kidney diseases. This conference brings together nephrologists, geneticists, pathologists, and other healthcare professionals to discuss the role of genetics in kidney disorders, including both rare and common conditions.

Maternal and Fetal Medicine Conference – The conference brings together maternal-fetal medicine specialists, nephrologists, cardiologists, and other healthcare professionals to present challenging cases and discuss the latest research, clinical guidelines, and treatment strategies for managing conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension during pregnancy.

Research opportunities

You can expect a personalized approach to research development. We have a dedicated Fellow Research Chair who meets with trainees regularly to identify a suitable mentor based on their specific research interests and goals. Whether the research focus is clinical, translational, or basic science, our team is committed to supporting you in turning your research ideas into impactful projects. If you can envision it, we are here to help make it a reality.

Our program stands out for having four experienced faculty members with a deep commitment to obstetric nephrology. This provides you with the unique opportunity to select the faculty member you wish to collaborate with on each project, allowing for a personalized and flexible learning experience. This approach fosters mentorship tailored to your individual interests and career goals, enabling you to gain diverse perspectives and expertise in obstetric nephrology.

Teaching opportunities

You are planned to participate in the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Renal Block.

Trainees participating in the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Renal Block will gain valuable experience in planning and executing a large educational initiative. Under the guidance of the Renal Block Director, you will actively contribute to the teaching process, leading small group sessions and engaging with students. This hands-on involvement provides an opportunity to enhance your teaching skills, foster educational leadership, and deepen your understanding of renal medicine in an academic setting.

Mentorship

You will receive mentorship from your research project faculty mentor as well as clinical mentors on a regular basis. You will also meet with the program director biannually for mentorship. You can expect to receive direct mentorship with both clinical and research faculty members.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is permitted for fellows at the discretion of the program director. Moonlighting activities may be scheduled only during outpatient rotations. Moonlighting should not interfere with required learning and must not violate work hour rules. Moonlighting should not compromise education, but rather enhance it.

You will practice in the Downtown Campus. Provided is a shared office space alongside other clinical trainees, fostering a collaborative environment where you can exchange ideas, discuss cases, and support each other's professional development.

You will each have your own designated cubicle area alongside other clinical trainees, ensuring a balance of personal space and collaborative opportunities. Additionally, each trainee is assigned a Medical Administrative Assistant who provides essential clerical support, including managing calendars, coordinating travel arrangements, and handling reimbursement processes. This support allows you to focus on your clinical and educational activities while ensuring smooth logistical and administrative operations.

The Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, offers exceptional training in all aspects of clinical practice, research, and education in obstetric nephrology. The fellowship provides opportunities in these three areas, allowing the curriculum to be tailored to meet the specific career goals of future clinical or investigative nephrologists.

With close collaboration with a highly experienced clinical and research faculty, your training program will be customized to support your individual career objectives. Mayo Clinic’s ideal faculty-to-trainee ratio, large and diverse patient population, and cutting-edge diagnostic, therapeutic, and research facilities provide an integrated educational experience. The "Mayo Clinic way" of graduate medical education ensures that fellows receive the highest quality teaching and exposure to a broad range of patient care, all within a busy, hands-on learning environment.

In addition to providing exceptional patient care, Mayo Clinic's faculty members are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge through teaching and research. Many of our faculty have published extensively and are recognized leaders in their field, regularly lecturing at national and international conferences. As a trainee, you will have direct access to the obstetric nephrology faculty at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, throughout your training. This close mentorship allows for personalized learning and exposure to cutting-edge research and clinical practices in obstetric nephrology.

	Iasmina Craici, M.D. Dr. Iasmina Craici is deeply committed to medical education, serving as the Education Chair for the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension. She is also the Program Director for both the Nephrology Fellowship and Obstetric Nephrology Fellowship Programs at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Craici's research interests focus on renal involvement in hypertensive pregnancy disorders, the long-term risk of cardiovascular and renal disease following hypertensive pregnancies, the management of pregnancy in dialysis and solid organ transplant patients, and pregnancy outcomes following kidney donation. Her work aims to improve patient care through education, research, and clinical practice in obstetric nephrology.  View full profile
	Vesna Garovic, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Vesna Garovic is the Chair of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her research interests are centered around hypertension and nephrology, with a particular emphasis on women's health. Specifically, Dr. Garovic is interested in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and the role that dysregulation of glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) may play in the renal injury and proteinuria in preeclampsia. Additionally, Dr. Garovic is investigating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of specific signaling pathways that may contribute to impaired immune responses and vascular injuries in women with preeclampsia, both at the time of delivery and postpartum. Her research extends the implications of preeclampsia beyond reproductive age, highlighting the long-term risks of developing chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic renal disease, and end-stage renal disease. She holds a joint appointment with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and serves as the Penske Foundation Professor of Clinical Medicine in Honor of Ian D. Hay, M.D., Ph.D. and J. Eileen Hay, M.B., Ch.B.   View full profile
	Maria Gonzalez Suarez, M.D., PhD.  Dr. Lourdes Gonzalez Suarez has a strong focus on kidney disorders during pregnancy, particularly the management of pregnant patients on dialysis. She is deeply committed to delivering exceptional education to all Mayo Clinic trainees, ensuring they are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to manage complex obstetric nephrology cases. Her dedication to teaching and mentoring plays a key role in the development of future nephrologists and healthcare providers in this specialized field.  View full profile
	Andrea Kattah, M.D. Dr. Kattah has a strong focus on pre-eclampsia and kidney disease in pregnancy, with a deep commitment to addressing women’s health issues. After completing her nephrology training, she pursued a Women’s Health Fellowship at Mayo Clinic, further strengthening her expertise in this specialized field. Dr. Kattah also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Science, which equips her to make significant contributions across all three Mayo Clinic Shields: Patient Care, Education, and Research. This comprehensive training enables her to advance both clinical care and scientific research in the area of obstetric nephrology.  View full profile
	Gary Schwartz, M.D. Dr. Gary L. Schwartz has a deep interest in hypertensive disorders, including renovascular hypertension, primary aldosteronism, autonomic disorders, and the treatment of resistant hypertension. He leads the hypertension section within the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Dr. Schwartz has been recognized as a specialist in clinical hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension since 1999. His extensive expertise in these areas contributes significantly to advancing both clinical care and research in hypertension management.  View full profile