Specialty: Nephrology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 217

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Where will this rotation take place: This outpatient US clinical experience will take place in Miami, Florida (approximately 40 miles north of downtown Miami. ​The inpatient component will take place in 3 dialysis centers, two of which are located within 5 miles of the preceptor's office. The third dialysis center is approximately 20 miles from the office. 

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Hours: Monday - Tuesday 8 AM to 3 PM; Wednesday 8 AM to 5:30 PM; Thursday 8 AM to 3 PM; Friday 8 AM to 1 PM (please note that approximately 3 hours of every day, with the exception of Friday, will be spent in the preceptor's office; the remaining time will be in the dialysis centers). Because of the multiple locations, it will be necessary to have your own transportation. 

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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.

 

What you will do: You will be under the supervision of a physician who is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. The physician is on staff at Broward North Health, West Boca Medical Center, and Northwest Medical Center. He is the Founding Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Florida International University and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. He will soon be teaching internal medicine residents in his office from Broward Health North. He previously served in the role of Chairman of the Department of Medicine at West Boca Medical Center. The physician is a member of the American Society of Nephrology. 

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During this rotation, you will learn how to diagnose and manage patients with kidney disease presenting to a nephrologist in an outpatient setting. Among the conditions you will encounter include chronic kidney disease, nephrolithiasis, glomerular disease, hypertension, among other conditions. The focus will be not only on diagnosis and management but also prevention. 

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This rotation is notable for the level of independence you will have in evaluating patients. For example, in the dialysis center, you will be expected to round on your own on the patients and then present these cases to the preceptor on a daily basis. Therefore, this rotation will be a tremendous learning and growth opportunity, ideal for students seeking a more immersive experience and preparation to begin residency training. A typical day will start in the dialysis center and then be followed by outpatient care in the preceptor's office. 

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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.

• Researching the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

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

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The activities above will mostly take place in the outpatient setting. As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational.

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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. IMGs seeking careers in family medicine or internal medicine will find this rotation useful.

 

​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