Specialty: Nephrology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 228

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Where will the rotation take place: This combined inpatient and outpatient US clinical experience will take place 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Although this clinical experience involves multiple locations, you may accompany the preceptor to these locations in his vehicle. 

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Hours: Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM 

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is a combined inpatient and outpatient experience during which you will be under the supervision of a board-certified nephrologist who is a dedicated teacher. He holds staff appointments at  Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital Sugar Land, and Kindred Hospital. 

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This physician began his career following his internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship caring for underserved patients. For years, he was based in rural New Mexico where he provided care to the American Indian (i.e., Native American or Indigenous American) population. He witnessed the higher incidence of end-stage renal disease in this patient population due to numerous factors, including lack of access to primary care and nephrology services. He found the work fulfilling and continues to travel to New Mexico periodically to serve these patients. 

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In New Mexico, he recognized the importance of patient education in preventing and controlling chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the impact such teaching may have on reducing the risk for the development of chronic kidney disease. He brought this passion for education to his patients in Houston where he established his practice approximately ten years ago. 

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In Houston he has been actively involved in the education of family medicine residents from the Memorial Hermann Health System. He was invited to give several lectures to the residents. He is also enthusiastic about teaching future doctors. 

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This clinical experience will take place in dialysis centers, outpatient clinic (2-3 times per week - Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday morning), and the hospital. Although the preceptor visits multiple hospitals, students will be able to visit one or two hospital locations. 

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After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient encounters and learn the following under the preceptor’s supervision:​

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• Taking patient histories.

• Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Entering notes in EMR (Practice Fusion).

• Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

• Delivering talks about important topics in your specialty area.

• Being involved in patient education.

• Teaching other team members.

• Spending time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities.

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As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational. The hands-on component of this rotation will mostly take place in the outpatient setting.

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You will receive regular feedback on your performance. ​

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​Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine; IMGs seeking careers in family medicine or internal medicine will find this rotation particularly useful as nephrology problems are frequently encountered in these specialties. 

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine