About the Division
In the Division of Nephrology and Rheumatology, we specialize in the complex care of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The fellowship-trained nephrologists and rheumatologists at VCU are committed to providing comprehensive patient care, training the next generation of pediatricians and conducting innovative clinical research to improve treatment for patients with kidney diseases and rheumatic disorders.
Education
Medical Students
Medical students frequently join us on inpatient and outpatient rotations. When students express a particular interest in nephrology or rheumatology, we are happy to connect them with research, enhanced educational opportunities and additional support.
Residents
The Department of Pediatrics’ residency program is designed to give trainees ample time to explore subspecialties through elective rotations. Our faculty provide robust, well-rounded and supportive learning experience for residents interested in caring for children with kidney and rheumatic diseases.
Fellows
Accredited by the ACGME, our three-year pediatric nephrology fellowship provides extensive clinical training and research opportunities for academic physicians. Each fellow conducts a continuity clinic with their own panel of patients and completes the program with a robust research portfolio.
Nephrology
Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, our pediatric nephrology team uses a family-centered, integrated approach to diagnose and treat children with a broad range of conditions, including the following:
- Acute or chronic kidney failure
- Electrolyte disorders
- Kidney malformations (e.g., aplasia, dysplasia)
- Lupus and vasculitis
- Metabolic acidosis
- Obstructive nephropathies
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Spina bifida (kidney evaluation)
View a comprehensive list of conditions we treat
With state-of-the-art facilities at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, we offer a broad range of services including a hypertension clinic, kidney transplant program and dialysis program. And because children with kidney-related diseases often have other conditions too, we collaborate with other pediatric subspecialists for a holistic, multidisciplinary approach.
“What’s most rewarding is when a child who is chronically ill graduates from high school, goes to college, gets married. I am still in touch with patients I took care of in the ’80s and ’90s and get notices of marriages and childbirths, and that’s a very satisfying experience.”
Tim Bunchman, M.D.
Research
Quality of care for children with kidney and rheumatic diseases has changed dramatically over the past few decades, and treatment methods continue to evolve and improve. As academic physicians, we are dedicated to not just caring for our own patients but shaping the future of care for children everywhere through cutting-edge clinical research.
- Current areas of research include:
- Acute kidney failure
- Chronic kidney failure
- Critical care nephrology
- Solid organ transplantation
Rheumatology
Pediatric rheumatology is a highly subspecialized field, and we are one of only a few teams in Virginia to diagnose and treat children with rheumatic diseases. With a commitment to providing comprehensive patient care and educating the next generation of pediatricians, we help children and their families manage conditions such as:
- Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis
- Juvenile arthritis
- Juvenile dermatomyositis
- Linear morphea
- Lyme arthritis
- Raynaud's disease
- Rheumatic fever or post-strep arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Vasculitis
Fellowships
For medical students or residents with a special interest in pediatric rheumatology, we are happy to provide additional support and connect them with enhanced educational opportunities to prepare for subspecialized training through a fellowship.
Meet the Team
Get to know about our nephrology and rheumatology faculty by visiting their bios on the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU website, linked below: