Nephrology transplant team with patient

Division of Nephrology

The Division of Nephrology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in historic Charleston has a long and notable history in the study of and potential treatments for kidney disease. In 2022, MUSC Health was once again recognized as high-performing in kidney failure by U.S. News & World Report, meaning it ranks among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation for complex-care in that procedure. Division faculty have worked diligently to foster this reputation by providing excellent clinical care, building a nationally prominent research program, and creating a stimulating educational environment for future Nephrologists. 

Education

The Division of Nephrology ACGME-approved Fellowship Training Program is a two-year training program directed by Ruth C. Campbell, M.D., and co-directed by Anand Achanti, M.D. Each year five clinical fellows are accepted into the training program and are exposed to an extensive range of renal conditions and pathologies, including hypertension, fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal physiology, transplantation, acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and continuous renal replacement therapy across multiple settings: inpatient consultation services, outpatient clinics, and didactic conferences.

Learn more about our Nephrology Fellowship Program


Research

Division faculty are leaders in their respective areas of research which span such varied interests as renal anemia, chronic kidney disease, glomerular diseases, apheresis, global health, prevention of kidney stones and renal vasculitis, complex hypertension, lipopheresis, peritoneal dialysis, and polycystic kidney disease. Active collaborations between clinicians and basic scientists are ongoing, and collaborations with faculty from other divisions and departments are common. Division faculty have expertise in clinical trials, whole animal models of renal disease, human and animal genetics, signal transduction, confocal microscopy, renal physiology, proteomics, biomarkers of renal diseases, glomerular disease, renal cystic disease, and the role of the renin-angiotensin system in renal disease.

Learn more about our Nephrology Research Program


Patient Care

Physicians in the Division of Nephrology see clinical patients at Ashley River Tower, University Hospital, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and a number of satellite dialysis units, which are managed in partnership between the Division and the non-profit dialysis provider Dialysis Clinic Incorporated (DCI). Each year, MUSC nephrologists care for approximately 450 chronic dialysis patients in eight DCI outpatient hemodialysis units, the DCI home dialysis program, and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Hospital (VAMC).

PKD Center of Excellence sealWe’re proud to be a PKD Foundation Center of Excellence! When you have ADPKD, where you go matters. That’s why we aligned with the PKD Foundation to commit to providing excellent ADPKD-specific care. Learn more about what it means to be a PKD Foundation Center of Excellence.

Learn more about our Patient Care services


Kidney Transplant Program

Established more than 30 years ago, the kidney transplant program at MUSC has continued to expand. Under the direction of transplant medical director, Michael Casey, M.D., and transplant surgeon Derek DuBay, M.D., the renal transplant program performs over 400 transplants per year, rating it in the top five most active transplant programs nationally. This program now employs seven full-time transplant Nephrologists. These transplant nephrology faculty members are fully integrated with their surgical colleagues to optimize clinical care and research. We have an established advanced training fellowship in renal transplantation, which can accommodate one trainee per year.