Nephrology & CIIR

Division of Nephrology and the Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine (CIIR)
Division Chief & CIIR Director: Mark D. Okusa, MD

Since the first dialysis procedure in the state of Virginia was performed at UVA on March 27, 1959, the University has been recognized for its excellence in treating kidney diseases. Today, patients receive comprehensive services and medical expertise through the Division of Nephrology and its clinical arm, the UVA Kidney Center. The Division of Nephrology is nationally recognized for excellence in clinical care by U.S. News and World Report’s list of top programs. In 2012-2013, the division was ranked as “high performing” in the USNWR’s “Best Hospitals” guide.

The division, established the same year as UVA’s first dialysis procedure, was directed for two decades by W. Kline Bolton. During his tenure (1988-2008), Dr. Bolton initiated an expansion of the division, including all aspects of the academic mission – clinical, educational, and research.

Mark Okusa, John C. Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Medicine, was appointed director of the newly created Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine in 2007, and became division chief in 2008. He is recognized internationally for his contributions to both basic and translational research in acute kidney injury, and was elected as Councilor to the American Society of Nephrology in 2012.

Today, the combined enterprises of the Division of Nephrology and the CIIR have 29 full-time faculty members (19 clinical, ten research), nine clinical fellows, a number of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, and over 800 dialysis patients. Nephrology faculty serve on national and international committees, advisory groups, and editorial boards, and the division has emerged as a nationally recognized program in all facets of academic nephrology, including basic and clinical research.