Recognizing the growing demand for specialized expertise in kidney disease management, Northwell Health today announced that it will begin accepting applications for a novel nephrology fellowship program after receiving a generous $1.25 million endowment gift from Linda and Greg Galdi, of Roslyn, LI.

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From left: Northwell Health Drs. Steven Fishbane and Kenar D. Jhaveri examine a patient. They will oversee the newly-created Galdi Fellowship in Onco-Nephrology and Glomerular Kidney Diseases. Credit Northwell Health

The newly created Galdi Fellowship in Onco-Nephrology and Glomerular Kidney Diseases, run through Northwell’s Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, will start in July 2023 and focuses on onco-nephrology and glomerular kidney diseases, two rapidly advancing and highly related subspecialties that have seen a surge in need as the treatment of kidney disease grows more complex.

“Northwell Health is grateful to Linda and Greg Galdi for their generous commitment to establish the first combined fellowship in onco-nephrology and glomerular kidney diseases,” said Kenar D. Jhaveri, MD, associate chief of Northwell’s Division of Nephrology and professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. “The creation of the Galdi Fellowship represents the next milestone along the merging path of these two closely related fields of kidney disease. The Galdi Fellowship furthers Northwell’s opportunity to recruit bright, rising stars in nephrology who hold the promise to shape the evolution of medicine for our community and beyond.”

As New York State’s largest health system, Northwell educates more than 1,800 residents and fellows each year, making it one of the largest academic-focused health systems in the nation. That education and research bent means its nephrologists see and treat the full scope of kidney diseases as part of its coordination of care with the latest technologies and therapies. As a result, community-based nephrologists increasingly refer patients to Northwell specialists for support and specialized care. The Galdi Fellowship further enhances the training to develop much needed expertise.

“Northwell nephrology places great value in innovation, which shapes the advancement of medical care,” said Steven Fishbane, MD, Northwell’s chief of nephrology. “In support of the large number of patients affected by these closely related conditions, we look forward to training exceptionally skilled nephrologists to rapidly expand knowledge and further research towards more effective treatments.”

The Galdi Fellowship will target two fast-growing subspecialties:

• Onco-nephrology treats intricate complications and kidney ailments patients experience while undergoing novel treatments for cancer, a space that’s seen rapid development of new therapies. Progress in cancer care, however, can impact the kidney in multiple ways that are now being increasingly recognized.

• Glomerular kidney disease represents a group of illnesses that affect the glomerulus, or the kidney’s filters. Glomerular diseases include diabetes and lupus, as well as many lesser-known diseases such as membranous nephropathy and focal/segmental glomerulosclerosis. The Glomerular Disease Center at Northwell supports physicians and patients in this progressive and highly advanced academic field of nephrology.

These subspecialties are related; cancer can cause glomerular kidney diseases while treatments for glomerular diseases often involve the same therapies used in cancer treatment.

“Northwell’s Department of Medicine/Medicine Service Line is enormously grateful for the gift,” said Said Ibrahim, MD, senior vice president of medicine at Northwell. “Beyond the enormous impact it will have on patients, this gift will go a long way toward advancing our commitment to elevate our academic reputation regionally and nationally.”

Within the span of a year, fellows training in this program will develop expertise in both subspecialties of nephrology.

“My wife, Linda, and I are proud to support the creation of the first combined fellowship in onco-nephrology and glomerular kidney diseases,” said Mr. Galdi, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and a founding member of Northwell’s Department of Medicine Leadership Circle. “Under the leadership of Northwell’s Division of Nephrology, we are confident that our investment will yield tremendous dividends for patients suffering with cancer and resulting diseases affecting their kidneys.”

To learn about Northwell’s nephrology program or to make an appointment, go to: https://professionals.northwell.edu/departments/medicine/divisions/nephrology

About Northwell Health

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals, 850 outpatient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 80,000 employees – 18,900 nurses and 4,900 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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