Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

Michael J. Choi, MD
Chief of Nephrology and Hypertension

Distinguishing Features of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

  • A strong nephrology training program founded more than 50 years ago;
  • Nephrology and hypertension research fellowship training program with DC VAMC;
  • Founding of the Division by George E. Schreiner, M.D. (Chair of International Society of Nephrology and president of the National Kidney Foundation);
  • Dedication to a strong clinical and research training program for faculty and fellows;
  • Largest NIH funded research program in the Department of Medicine with a Program Project Grant that has been renewed three times;
  • A strongly NIH funded science program supporting eight research faculty with five RO-1 grants from the NIH;
  • Human Hypertension Research Center funded by philanthropy and equipped to study endothelial function, cardiac output, exercise physiology and more;
  • National and international recognition of faculty, evidenced by one faculty elected to the American Association of Professors, three faculty who together have delivered twenty named lectures at universities or at national and internal meetings including the Harriet Duston Award of the American Heart Association; the Dahl Lecture of the AHA; the Starling lecture of the American Physiology Society, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the AHA and the Excellence in Hypertension Research Award of the AHA;
  • Three faculty who are, or have been, permanent members of NIH peer review groups and one who has chaired four groups;
  • Two faculty who hold directorship of Georgetown University Centers: The Hypertension Research Center, and the Center for Sex Difference in Disease;
  • Five faculty who hold medical directorships at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital inpatient hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and continuous renal replacement treatment programs and at regional dialysis units in the Washington DC/Metropolitan Area;
  • The first to open “Home Only” dialysis program in D.C.
  • Primary inpatient Nephrology service for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital encompassing:
    • Three Intensive Care Units (Medical, Surgical, and Neurosurgical)
    • Several Intermediate Care Units
    • A solid organ transplantation ward (Kidney, Pancreas, Liver, and Multi-visceral/Small Bowel Transplants)
    • An oncology ward
    • Many general medical and surgical ward floors
  • Partners in a limited liability joint venture company with DaVita Inc. to operate three dialysis units in the D.C. region; 
  • Successful in raising more than $3,000,000 in philanthropic support;
  • A strong history of placing graduating fellows in their choice academic or private practice setting;
  • A clinical program that has been profitable for more than 25 years.

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