N EPHROLOGY
NE X US
a Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology alumni newsletter
A Message from the Chief
John Cijiang He, MD, PhD
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to volume 1, issue 1 of Nephrology Nexus, the inaugural newsletter which celebrates the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology, collective and individual achievements in our clinical, research, and education missions.
The “Nephrology Nexus” combines the term “nephrology,” which is central to the newsletter’s focus, with “nexus,” meaning a central connection or hub. This title suggests that the newsletter serves as a key point of connection for alumni and current faculty, fellows, administrators, and staff, bringing together news, updates, and stories related to the field of nephrology It conveys the idea of a central, cohesive source for the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology community to stay informed and connected. Please send newsworthy updates to us! Current employees, send your news here. Alumni, email NephrologyDivision@mssm.edu with your news.
It is with great excitement that I spotlight the remarkable achievements of our diverse and skilled faculty, trainees, staff, and alumni who have contributed to the division's distinguished history. Our shared dedication to providing top-tier patient care, pioneering groundbreaking research, and fostering advancements in nephrology education remains the foundation of our sustained excellence. I extend my gratitude to each of you for being an integral part of this journey.
Our aim is for this newsletter to serve as an update platform for the numerous alumni who have completed our training programs and are furthering nephrology care and research across community, academic, and industry spheres. It will feature system-wide news from our research, clinical, and educational activities, along with opportunities for philanthropy and engagement.
Sincerely,
John Cijiang He, MD, PhD
Irene and Dr. Arthur Fishberg Professor of Medicine
System Chief, Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology
Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1243
New York, NY 10029
Phone: 212-241-3549
Fax: 212-987-0389
icahn.mssm.edu/nephrology
Nephrology
Announcing the Inaugural DEI Committee Leading National Efforts to Address Critical Issues in Health Care
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are fundamental for advancing the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology's world-class patient care, discovery, and research. Each of you, with your unique voices, plays a vital role in our mission to foster and maintain an environment that is rich in inclusivity, which is crucial for innovation and genuine equity in our daily operations and clinical care delivery.
As we work to embody these values in our daily practice, we invite your input on how our division can lead in dismantling structural inequities both within and beyond our system.
Division Administrator, C. Sandra Okafor, MHA, and faculty, Kirk Campbell, MD, Dinushika Mohottige, MD, and Ilse Daehn, PhD are spearheading initiatives within the division to fulfill this mission. Their efforts extend beyond the division, aiming to enhance equity in kidney care worldwide. Outlined below the division’s recent key achievements in DEI are the Committee’s Mission, Vision, and Values, which are fundamental to our work and guide our efforts.
TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MISSION, email Dinushika.Mohottige@mountsinai.org and Ilse.Daehn@mssm.edu
In New York City, we face an omnipresent reminder of the urgency and critical need to center equity in kidney care. Minoritized populations face a disproportionate burden of kidney disease, and unequal access to optimal treatments. Our division has a long history of being at the forefront of enacting equity-enhancing policy discovery and intervention.
Key achievements include
Leading national efforts to dismantle race-based clinical algorithms, such as eGFR estimating equations, and actively addressing critical issues like the use of race in the KDPI equation
Transforming care for NYC’s most disadvantaged individuals by providing comprehensive CKD, dialysis, and transplant services across multiple clinics that address patients’ complex social needs.
Facilitating discussions with national leaders on the experiences and perspectives of being LatinX in health care. | Ilse Daehn, PhD
Leading multiple community-engaged studies investigating the role of APOL1 and other genetic risks in the development of kidney disease | Kirk Campbell, MD | Girish Nadkarni, MD
Collaborating with community partners (NKF Greater NY) and stakeholders to discuss multisector programs in NYC to advance kidney health equity.
| Kirk Campbell, MD
Heading the first National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) sponsored UO1 project to investigate and address the impact of structural racism on kidney transplantation. | Lili Chan, MD, MSCR (Contact MPI) | Girish Nadkarni, MD (MPI) | Dinushika Mohottige, MD (Co-I)
Advancing community-partnered research to explore the role of APOl1 in kidney transplantation through the APOLLO study. | Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR (Site PI)
Collaborating with NYLPI to advocate for equity-focused policy solutions that expand coverage for all individuals with kidney failure, regardless of immigration status.
Advancing the education of a diverse pipeline of engineering students through Multidisciplinary Engineering and Renal Research for Innovation of Technology (MERRIT) | Evren Azeloglu, PhD (PI)
Launching an inaugural lecture series on health equity in kidney care for Nephrology Fellows.
| Dinushika Mohottige, MD
Evren Azeloglu, PhD and Kirk Campbell, MD lead a summer research program which pairs engineering students with research labs in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Our Mission
Empowering Excellence in Kidney Care and Research. Advancing Kidney Health with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Our Vision
To foster an environment where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best Our goal is to achieve excellence in kidney care and research, to advance our understanding of kidney diseases and to discover new potential treatments
A Foundation of Service
Our values are ingrained in the Division. By acknowledging diversity in all its forms, we drive innovation, enhance creativity, and achieve excellence in our clinical and research goals. We are committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all members of our division.
We strive to promote equal opportunities and cultivate a sense of belonging through intentional actions, education, and collaboration. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their differences, feels welcome and valued, fostering a system that benefits all members of our division and the broader community.
Inaugural Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Lecture—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Advancing Equity in Kidney Transplantation by Closing the Gaps in Research, Policy, and Community Engagement
The Division continues to honor the the incredible legacy of Dr. Barbara T. Murphy, who championed justice and equity in all her pursuits which shaped this division, health system, and innumerable scientific discoveries and policy advances which enhance kidney health equity. In April 2024, we held the inaugural Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Lecture with a lens on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tanjala S. Purnell, PhD, MPH, FASN lectured on advancing equity in kidney transplantation by closing the gaps in research, policy, and community engagement.
Dr. Tanjala S. Purnell is an epidemiologist and health services researcher with over a decade of experience focused on promoting equity in kidney health, transplantation, and organ donation. She is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. She has received several national and international research honors and has published findings from her work in leading medical journals, including JAMA and Health Affairs. She has served in multiple educational leadership roles, where she has facilitated health equity research mentoring opportunities for over 150 medical and public health scholars; organized seminars for over 7,000 academic and community members; and developed health equity research methods courses for over 8,000 learners at Johns Hopkins University and institutions worldwide.
Nationally, Dr. Purnell is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, a member of the Governing Board for the Infinite Legacy Foundation, and a member of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Transplant Advisory Committee. She is the Past Chair of the American Society for Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and was the inaugural recipient of the ASTS Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. Dr. Purnell was also the 2023 recipient of the NKF Excellence in Transplantation Award.
JOIN US ON FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025, for the next Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Lecture Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This hybrid event will occur at 12:00PM in Hatch Auditorium, Guggenheim Pavilion, 1468 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10029.
A Decade of Innovation in Peritoneal Dialysis Highlights from the 10th Annual Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium and Alumni Reception
On Friday, September 27, 2024, we proudly hosted the 10th Annual Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium. This milestone event brought together leading experts, practitioners, and alumni to discuss the latest advancements and future directions in peritoneal dialysis.
The symposium featured a series of insightful presentations and panel discussions, covering topics such as innovative treatment protocols, patient-centered care strategies, cutting-edge findings to impact the future of peritoneal dialysis, and health policies promoting access to home dialysis. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with thought leaders in the field, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative opportunities.
Following the symposium, an alumni reception provided a warm and welcoming environment for former nephrology fellows and faculty to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their shared achievements. The reception was a testament to the strong sense of community and ongoing commitment to excellence that defines the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology at Mount Sinai.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated and contributed to the success of this event. Here’s to another decade of groundbreaking work and continued progress in the field of peritoneal dialysis!
VIEW EVENT DETAILS AND PHOTOS FROM THE SYMPOSIUM AND ALUMNI RECEPTION https://mssm.cloud-cme.com/2024Peritoneal | Alumni Reception Photos
Mount Sinai Nephrology Fellowship Alumni - Alumni joined us in San Diego, CA after a day of ASN Kidney Week 2024 sessions, for the annual Nephrology ASN Reception held at Herb & Wood at 2210 Kettner Blvd.
Celebrating 75 Years of Dialysis Excellence and Innovation at Mount Sinai
On October 2, 2023, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of hemodialysis in the United States and highlighted Mount Sinai’s pivotal role in this milestone. Renowned kidney disease experts discussed the history, evolving ethics, advancements in treatments, and the future of dialysis. We documented the division’s rich history and monumental achievements, including the first use of dialysis in the United States at Mount Sinai Hospital in 1948 and the first kidney transplant performed at Mount Sinai in 1967.
We also honored the lives of several esteemed faculty members who were instrumental in our division’s history. Dr. Ruth Abramson (1963-2004) held numerous roles at Sinai, including IRB Chair, Associate Dean for Research, Nephrology Fellowship Program Director, and Distinguished Professor of Medicine. Dr. Barbara T. Murphy (1964-2021), whose legacy continues in the namesake of our division, served as Medical Director of Transplant Nephrology, Chief of the Division of Nephrology, Chair of the Department of Medicine, and was an internationally revered physician-scientist, president of AST, and president-elect of ASN.
The Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology aspires to build upon our rich history to further our legacy of excellence.
TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MISSION, email NephrologyDivision@mssm.edu
Following the Science
Launching the Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation
We are pleased to announce the founding of the Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation led by Kirk Campbell, MD, Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine and Professor of Pharmacological Sciences. The new Center will integrate multidisciplinary glomerular disease, polycystic kidney disease, onco-nephrology and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) clinical programs into a translational research framework. The goal will be to leverage state-of-the-art genomic, bioinformatics and molecular phenotyping technology to identify novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery and biomarker validation while expanding patient registry, biobanking, and clinical trial opportunities. These efforts will enhance early detection, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease and its complications while expanding Mount Sinai's precision medicine capabilities.
According to Dr. Campbell, "in the last decade we have witnessed unprecedented advances in kidney disease research including the identification of 30+ disease-causing gene mutations in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, the identification of Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) risk variants as a major driver of kidney disease in African Americans and
discovery of 10+ target antigens for membranous nephropathy. There are more clinical trials ongoing than at any time in the history of the field. Mount Sinai is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of this scientific momentum while delivering on the tri-partite academic mission of excellence in clinical care, education and research and the new Center is the ideal platform at the right time.”
Dr. Campbell received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut. He completed his internal medicine residency at Yale University before pursuing clinical nephrology and postdoctoral research training at Mount Sinai. Dr. Campbell is the President-elect of the National Kidney Foundation, former President of the New York Society of Nephrology, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Nephcure Foundation. He is the recipient of a Distinguished Leader Award from the American Society of Nephrology ,and an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Additionally, Dr. Campbell is an active member of the editorial boards of American Journal of Kidney Disease, Kidney360, Kidney International, Frontiers in Medicine and the American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology.
Currently, he is the principal investigator (PI) of Mount Sinai’s Kidney Precision Project Recruitment Site, an NIH-funded initiative to identify new markers and treatment targets for personalized, effective, and safe treatments for kidney diseases. He was recently awarded a Harrington Discovery Institute Scholar Innovator grant to advance the development of a promising therapeutic intervention for proteinuric kidney disease.
Join us in congratulating Dr. Campbell on his new appointment. He is thanked for his service to the Department of Medicine as Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the past seven years. In this role, he established enduring recruitment, educational, mentorship, demographic tracking and faculty development programs that have synergized with wider institutional initiatives to promote inclusion excellence. Dr. Campbell has stepped down from this role to focus on the new Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation.
Educational Connections
The Nephrology Fellowship Program is recognized globally for its excellence in Nephrology education. Annually, we select seven exceptional fellows and provide them with various specialty tracks. These tracks not only impart essential nephrology skills for independent practice but also include specialized training in glomerulonephritis, home dialysis, onco-nephrology, transplantation, and combined nephrology-palliative care and critical care programs.
With the increasing national focus on developing a highly skilled Nephrology workforce to cater to the growing number of patients with kidney transplants, home dialysis needs, holistic conservative care strategies, and complex glomerular diseases influenced by oncologic treatments, Mount Sinai is at the forefront of addressing these needs. Our unique programs, led by expert faculty, ensure we meet these demands effectively.
Additionally, our program is uniquely positioned to nurture the next generation of scientists through National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research training programs (U2C-TL1 and R25) and exceptional mentoring.
VIEW OUR ONLINE BROCHURE
Mount Sinai Health System Nephrology Fellowship | Welcome to Our Program
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of
Our Nephrology Fellowship program – and the talented fellows who train with us – continue to be a source of tremendous pride and accomplishment for our division and our health system. Under the leadership of Program Director, Miriam Chung, MD and Associate Program Directors, Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR, Lili Chan, MD, MSCR, and Holly Koncicki, MD, our fellows regularly garner accolades from within and beyond the health system for their outstanding clinical, educational and research achievements At ASN Kidney Week 2023, our nephrology fellows (Varsha Suresh, MD, Abhinaya Sridhar, MD, Madhusudan Vijayan, MD and Douglas Farrell, MD – Team SINAI STRONG) earned 1st place in the national FIT Bowl competition where they displayed their outstanding knowledge base of a range of complex nephrology topics. In Summer 2024, we welcomed a new outstanding class of fellows who will continue the tradition of world class kidney care. Through this newsletter, we look forward to highlighting the accomplishments of our alumni – following them where they go – and ensuring that we build a sense of community among graduates of our training program across the globe.
Many of our talented faculty continue their national leadership in Nephrology education and innovations. Miriam Chung, MD recently gave an NKF Renal Roundtable talk about IGA nephropathy to kidney health professionals throughout Greater New York. Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR was selected by ASN as deputy co-director of the ASN Board Review Course.
The division continues a tradition of direct dedicated mentorship of fellows, whose accomplishments including the following publications:
Farrell, D.R., Vassalotti, J.A. Screening, identifying, and treating chronic kidney disease: why, who, when, how, and what? BMC Nephrol 25, 34 (2024).
Mount Sinai Nephrology Fellowship Alumni
We are proud of your contributions toward advancing kidney disease care. Please share your updates with us so we can feature them in future issues. Email our Fellowship Coordinator at NephrologyDivision@mssm.edu
Clinical Connections
As one of the largest Nephrology Divisions in the country, we boast over 60 full-time faculty members, including nationally renowned clinicians, basic science and translational investigators, and clinical educators. We excel in multiple domains, providing kidney care across 18 outpatient dialysis centers in NYC, serving over 1,000 patients. Our division is home to one of the largest home dialysis programs in NYC and a Center of Excellence for Dialysis Care, led by Jaime Uribarri, MD and Shuchita Sharma, MD.
Ira Meisels, MD serves as the Nephrology Division Site Chief at Mount Sinai Morningside and West, the largest nephrology practice on the Upper West Side, managing care for patients across four outpatient dialysis units.
Chiarra Ornillo, MD has been appointed Nephrology Division Site Chief at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Union Square ambulatory center, overseeing three outpatient units and five full-time faculty members.
We are also excited to announce our recent expansion to Westchester, with Shuchita Sharma, MD leading this clinical effort, enhancing patient care access. Our clinicians continue to receive awards for excellence in clinical care and communication, including Tonia Kim, MD, who has earned the Cullman Family Award for Physician Communication for over six consecutive years. This award honors Mount Sinai Health System physicians and advanced practice providers who demonstrate exceptional communication in clinical practice. Out of over 117,000+ providers surveyed nationwide, Dr. Kim is one of 89 Mount Sinai providers who ranked in the top 5% nationally (the 95th percentile) in provider communication, as measured by Press Ganey 2024 patient experience surveys.
We take pride in the premier patient care we provide throughout our clinical operations. A recent example of our extraordinary care involves a patient whose PCP contacted our division faculty about possible new Glomerulonephritis. Our team, including Daniel Stalbow, MD, Michelle Pulido, Marianne Rosario, and Diana Benalcazar, coordinated this patient’s care despite a bed-alert, ensuring the patient was seen within one day of the initial notice. A kidney biopsy was performed on day two, and by day three, the patient received a diagnosis and began treatment for kidney disease. This story is one of many that exemplify our division’s longstanding culture of We Find A Way, ensuring the highest quality patient care and seamless, effective communication across our health system.
Discovery and Innovation Connections
Kirk Campbell, MD (Contact PI), Steve Coca, MD, and Girish Nadkarni, MD obtained funding for the Kidney Precision Medicine Program, a multiyear project funded by the NIDDK whose purpose is to understand and discover new ways to treat CKD and AKI. With patient representatives, researchers, and clinicians, the KPMP consortium is committed to meet the goals of the study and the needs of the kidney disease community. Learn more about this important work here
Ilse Daehn, PhD and team published groundbreaking work identifying genetic susceptibility to diabetic kidney disease linked to promoter variants of xanthine oxidoreductase in Nature
Metabolism. Read the publication here. Dr. Daehn has received funding from USA Med Research ACQ Activity / Department of the Army for a study entitled “Blocking pathologic crosstalk between podocytes and endothelial cells in FSGS.” She is also a recipient of a new an NIDDKsponsored RO1 funded for a project entitled Genetic risk and molecular characterization of Diabetic Kidney Disease, which aims to determine the interaction of elevated risk Xor promoter variant with diabetes and interrogate the genetics of human XOR orthologues. And to use gene editing to reduce the risk for DKD.
Kristin Meliambro, MD has received an R01 from the NIDDK to study “KIBRA-induced biomechanical changes and therapeutic targeting in podocytes.”
Lili Chan, MD, MSCR and team (MPIs: Girish Nadkarni, MD, Carol Horowitz, MD, Michal Melamed, MD of Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Co-Is: Dinushika Mohottige, MD and Tanya Johns, MD of Albert Einstein College of Medicine) have received the first-ever UO1 funded through the NIDDK to address the role of structural racism on kidney health through a project focused on increasing transplant waitlisting equity.
Paolo Cravedi, MD, PhD was awarded the prestigious Basic Science Investigator Award by the American Society of Transplantation in 2023.
John Cijiang He, MD, PhD was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Scientist Award from the Chinese American Society of Nephrology in 2023 and serves as associate editor for Kidney International. Dr. He’s group has had multiple high-profile publications in the last year.
Their groundbreaking study in Kidney International is to “confirm a causative role of NASH in the development of CKD, reveal potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of NASH-induced kidney injury, and established a valuable model to study the pathogenesis of NASH-associated CKD.” Learn more here. Additional high impact publications elucidating potential anti-inflammatory targets for kidney disease treatment include a study in JCI Insight (read more here) and a study in the
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) entitled “Small Molecule Allosteric Inhibitor of HIPK2 as a Novel Therapy against Kidney Fibrosis.”
The team of Weijia Zhang, PhD, along with senior bioinformatician Zhengzi Yi, MSc, who led the study, published a groundbreaking AI research article in the February issue of Kidney International. The article, titled “A large-scale retrospective study enabled deep learning based pathological assessment of frozen procurement kidney biopsies to predict graft loss and guide organ utilization,” highlights a successful cross-disciplinary and multi-center collaboration among experts in data science, renal pathology, and kidney transplant physicians. This collaboration resulted in the development of a novel deep learning framework for the automatic and reliable pathological assessment of procurement biopsies, aimed at estimating post-transplant graft loss risk and guiding organ utilization decisions. The clinical application of this tool has the potential to reduce the organ discard rate by 28%. Accompanying this high-impact study, Dr. Mark Haas, a world-renowned renal pathologist, commented that “the AI-based approach of Yi et al. for evaluation of frozen sections of biopsies used to screen potential donor kidneys appears just about ready for prime time ” Learn more about this important work here
The group of Evren Azeloglu, PhD group published their real-time kidney-on-chip sensor system in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Feb 2024 issue: Open-Source System for Real-Time Functional Assessment of In Vitro Filtration Barriers Fallon TK, Zuvin M, Stern AD, Anandakrishnan N, Daehn IS, Azeloglu EU. Ann Biomed Eng. 2024 Feb;52(2):327-341. Doi: 10.1007/s10439-023-03378-9. Epub 2023 Oct 29. PMID: 37899379.
Honors and Highlights
Kirk N. Campbell, MD, is a 2024 recipient of The Jacobi Medallion In March 2024, the reception and award ceremony occurred.
Dr. Cambell is the Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, Professor of Pharmacological Sciences, and founding Director of the Center for Kidney Disease Innovation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
WATCH THE 2024 JACOBI MEDALLION CEREMONY
The Jacobi Medallion | One of Mount Sina’s Highest Awards
Promotions
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology Celebrates Promotions of Integral Faculty
We are delighted to celebrate promotions in the Division of Nephrology for Staci Leisman, MD (left), Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, and Kristin Meliambro, MD (right), Associate Professor of Medicine.
Heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients of faculty promotions this year. Your dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions to our academic medical center have not gone unnoticed. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to your commitment to excellence in education, research, and patient care. We are proud to have such talented and enthusiastic individuals among us, and we look forward to your continued success and leadership.
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of
Appointments
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology Expands World-Class Nephrology Clinical and Leadership Staff
Niraj R. Kothari, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Kothari earned his MD from the University of Missouri - Kansas City’s integrated BA/MD program. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Saint Louis University and his fellowship in nephrology at Duke University. Previously, he practiced at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health. Dr. Kothari serves as a nephrologist for patients with chronic kidney disease at Mount Sinai Faculty Practice Associates, as well as hemodialysis patients at the Mount Sinai Kidney Center - East River Plaza at 117th Street. He is a nephrology attending physician for patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital and serves as medical director of the inpatient dialysis unit at Mount Sinai Queens and the Mount Sinai Kidney Center - East River Plaza at 117th Street
Daniel Stalbow, MD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After completing his undergraduate studies at The Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, Dr. Stalbow graduated with his medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. He then completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell followed by his fellowship in Nephrology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell. He is experienced in a wide range of renal conditions from acute to chronic.
With a strong educational foundation, Dr. Stalbow places strong emphasis on forging meaningful connections with his patients. In addition to receiving expert medical guidance, he ensures that his patients feel valued and empowered in their healthcare journeys. Dr. Stalbow’s collaborative nature lends itself to the multidisciplinary nature of kidney disease. He believes that a multidisciplinary approach enhances the patient’s experience as well as improves outcomes.
Claire Schretlen, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and is on staff as an Attending Nephrologist at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West. A native of Baltimore, MD, she received her medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine followed by a residency in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at WVU, and Nephrology fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Schretlen's clinical interests include onconephrology, home dialysis modalities (including peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis), global health, and palliative care. Her interests outside of clinical medicine include teaching & medical education, travel, and any genre of dance. Dr. Schretlen sees patients at the Mount Sinai Faculty Practice at 36 W. 60th St as well as several dialysis centers in Manhattan.
Namita Biala, DO, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and is on staff as an Attending Nephrologist at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Dr. Biala graduated from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol, Pennsylvania before moving to Philadelphia for Nephrology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Biala clinical interests include early detection and prevention of kidney stones as well as optimal dialysis regimens for patients on chronic dialysis. In her spare time, she enjoys historical architecture, watching independent films, and running along the reservoir.
Larab Giniyani, DO, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and is on staff as an Attending Nephrologist at Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI). Dr. Giniyani received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and his fellowship in Nephrology at Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, New York. Now, Dr. Giniyani serves as a supervising physician of the nephrology inpatient consultation and ESRD service and is accountable for the quality of medical care provided to patients.
Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD has joined the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology as Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation (MS-CKDi). Dr. Himmelfarb is a top nephrologist with more than 35 years of experience, and a renowned expert in dialysis. He has trained over 40 nephrology fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, most of whom have succeeded in academia. With over 30 years of independent NIH funding, his work aims to address significant challenges in kidney disease through clinical and translational research. Dr. Himmelfarb leads the NIH-funded Kidney Precision Medicine Program (KPMP), which involves multiple sites nationwide and aims to create a detailed kidney molecular map to enhance disease classification.
Dr. Himmelfarb is a world-renowned scientist in the field of nephrology known for his clinical, research, and educational excellence. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at The George Washington University and completed his nephrology fellowship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. He has led several nephrology, transplantation, and translational research programs at major institutions including Maine Medical Center, Maine Medical Research Institute, and the University of Washington, where he was appointed inaugural Director of the Kidney Research Institute and Co-Director of the Center for Dialysis Innovation (CD). Dr. Himmelfarb has also held prominent leadership positions in several nephrology societies, including the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) in 2014-2015, where he served as President. There, he led the creation of a diversity and inclusion roadmap and served as the inaugural Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, he has contributed to countless expert panels for the FDA, Veterans Health Administration, and others.
Along with Dr. Kirk Campbell, Dr. Himmelfarb will lead the new Center to integrate multidisciplinary glomerular disease, polycystic kidney disease, onco-nephrology and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) clinical programs into a translational research framework. As Co-Director, he will oversee the philanthropic and fundraising efforts to support the work of the Center, expand mentorship opportunities for trainees and junior faculty, establish and oversee the new bioengineering and regenerative medicine collaborations and programming through the Center, and assist with its operational oversight.
Power of Philanthropy
Illuminating the Future of Kidney Care
Philanthropy is the catalyst that enables us to educate future leaders in health care, accelerate advanced scientific research, and deliver best-in-class clinical care to the diverse communities we serve. With your support, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MISSION, Give to Mount Sinai
If you would like to support the research and teaching mission or contribute to the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology’s clinical programs and services, please contact us.
C. Sandra Okafor, MHA
Division Administrator
Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1243
New York, NY 10029
T: 212-241-3549
Sandra.Okafor@mssm.edu
Bryce Schaffer
Associate Director of Development
Mount Sinai Health System
150 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
T: 929-637-3399
Bryce.Shaffer@mountsinai.org
The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Except where noted, models used in photos are not reflective of a specific disease profile.