Nephrology & Hypertension

The Division of Nephrology cares for patients with a diverse range of kidney diseases in an inpatient consult service, ward/transplant service and in outpatient clinics. It has gained recognition for its expertise in difficult-to manage and complicated hypertension cases. The division also has designated specialists in clinical hypertension. Over the past five years, Transplant Nephrology has expanded and developed a comprehensive program for long-term follow-up of kidney transplant patients.

Among its many services, the Division of Nephrology offers consultation, evaluation and treatment for patients with:

  • Acute and chronic renal disease
  • Hypertension, especially complex, complicated or secondary forms of the disease
  • Fluid and electrolytic disorders such as abnormalities in metabolism of salt and water, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium
  • Intoxications

The division also offers all forms of renal replacement therapy such as:

  • Hemodialysis
  • Chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
  • Intermittent and continuous peritoneal dialysis
  • Home care

Special services that are offered include:

  • Renal biopsy
  • 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure recordings and monitoring
  • Multiple artificial kidney machines and peritoneal dialysis cycling devices
  • Kidney transplant care
  • Metabolic evaluation of kidney stone patients

Education

Educational activities in the division range from teaching medical students to providing advanced training for fellows. The Renal Fellowship Program has six fellowship positions and includes a comprehensive training program that covers all aspects of clinical nephrology and actively involves the fellows in research. The division’s faculty also provide core curriculum to residents and students, and participate in continuing medical education (CME) programs sponsored by the Stritch School of Medicine.

Faculty

Karen Griffin, MD, FACP

Division Director and Professor 

Specialties

  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease
  • Kidney Stones
  • Diabetic Kidney Disease

 

Holly Kramer, MD, MPH

Associate Professor

Specialties

  • Kidney Disorders
  • Kidney Stones
  • Prevention of End-Stage Kidney Disease

Locations
Loyola Outpatient Center

David J. Leehey, MD, FACP

Professor

Specialties

  • Kidney Stones
  • Kidney Disorders
  • Diabetic Kidney Disease
  • High Blood Pressure

Locations
Loyola Outpatient Center
Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt
Loyola Hospital

Raviprasenna Parasuraman, MD

Associate Professor

Specialties

  • Kidney
  • Pancreas
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Pancreas Transplant
  • Living Kidney Donation
  • Combined Liver-Kidney Transplant

Locations
Loyola Hospital
Loyola Outpatient Center

Julia Schneider, MD

Assistant Professor

Locations
Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt
Loyola Outpatient Center

Kavitha Vellanki, MD

Assistant Professor

Specialties

  • Kidney Transplant
  • Pregnancy and Kidney Disease
  • Chronic Kidney Disease

Locations
Loyola Outpatient Center
Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt

Anuradha Wadhwa, MD

Assistant Professor

Specialties

  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • peritoneal dialysis
  • Kidney Stones
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease

Locations
Loyola Hospital
Loyola Outpatient Center
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt

Benjamin Ling, DO

Assistant Professor

Specialties

  • Diabetic Kidney Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Kidney Stones
  • Hypertension
  • Dialysis
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Hemodialysis
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Nephrolithiasis
  • Kidney Stones
  • Electrolyte Abnormalities
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Sodium
  • Glomerulonephritis
  • Nephritis
  • Vasculitis

Locations
    Loyola Outpatient Center
    Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt