Environment - Nephrology Residency Training Program

The Training Program is positioned within Alberta Health Services' Alberta Kidney Care North (AKCN) through which hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant patients are cared for in Edmonton and in satellite dialysis units in outlying communities. Dr. Branko Braam is the Director, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology, and Dr. Kailash Jindal is the Regional Clinical Program Director of AKCN.

The University of Alberta Hospital is one of Canada's leading clinical, research and teaching hospitals, treating patients from across western and northern Canada. The 18-bed in-patient unit is adjacent to an 18-station outpatient hemodialysis unit. Both the dialysis unit (~400 active patients) and the renal transplant program (~1400 active patients) are located home on site.

The clinical renal program is supported by several ancillary services. These include:

  • An active renal pathology service headed by Dr. Kim Solez, an international authority on renal transplant pathology and cybernephrology
  • An active clinical trials program which has participated in multi-centre trials of new immunosuppressives, agents to treat acute renal failure, and innovations in peritoneal dialysis catheters. The clinical trials staff are available to facilitate the development and processing of clinical studies initiated by trainees and may assist in data collection. The program is supported by a statistician
  • A tissue typing laboratory with a particular interest in molecular HLA typing and the role of alloantibody in allograft rejection
  • Basic science research programs which emphasize mechanisms of tissue injury, the mechanism of action of immunosuppressive agents, the regulation of HLA and cytokine gene expression, endothelial biology and glomerular physiology.
  • A host of clinical research programs exist, headed by Divisional members with training in Clinical Epidemiology, Ethics, Health Economics and Health Administration
  • An active ambulatory care program exists, with clinics for patients with general renal disorders, those on renal replacement therapy, and recipients of renal transplants. There are longitudinal clinic experiences organized for each trainee where he/she sees new patients and follows patients discharged from hospital in both general nephrology and transplantation.
  • An on-site pediatric nephrology service
  • A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, dieticians, social workers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists who participate in the care of the renal patient