Nephrology fellowships graduation, 2026
The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension once again celebrated its graduating fellows at Wilson’s Orchard, a working farm just north of Iowa City. Friends, family, and the graduates themselves took advantage of the sights and the pleasant weather. They were also invited to sign cards for all three graduates as well as a retiring ARNP Dawn Allen. Organizers had strategically positioned games outside to keep the young and young-at-heart busy during the social hour.
A few group photos outside of graduates and their families along with fellowship program directors also preceded dinner.
After dinner, the formal presentation began. Nephrology Fellowship Program Director and Interim Division Co-Director Lisa Antes, MD, welcomed guests and loved ones and offered a few words of congratulations to the evening’s honorees. Mony Fraer, MD, then rose to thank Division Coordinator Lisa Novak for her many years of outstanding service to the division and keeping everything on track. Associate Program Director Jonathan Nizar, MD, singled out Program Coordinator Kathryn Oestreich for her contributions to the training program. Finally, Interim Division Co-Director Sarat Kuppachi, MD, offered his thanks to Division Administrator Jackie Kersten for her guidance, stewardship, and education.
The fellows came up to present the Teacher of the Year award to their chosen faculty member, Christie Thomas, MD.
Antes and Nizar then spoke briefly about each of the two nephrology fellowship graduates and asked them up to present them with some gifts and to pose for a photo. Each graduate then got a chance to offer their thanks to each of the faculty and staff for their support in the program as well as the families who have supported them. Thomas, the program director of the new renal genetics fellowship, came up to introduce the program’s first graduate.
Emeritus faculty member Doug Somers, MD, then came up to present a final recognition to retiring dialysis APP Dawn Allen. Somers reminisced about their working relationship and thanked her for her tireless service and support. Allen thanked her colleagues, wished them well, and assured them they would all see her again soon.
There was still a bit more daylight for a few more group photos and a few more hugs and warm wishes among friends.
In her weekly email to the division, Antes passed on some of these photos and added, “And of course at graduation and really each day, we wish to honor and thank Lisa, Kate, Shellie and Jackie for making our days easier through all their hard work and dedication, for making our days lighter through their good spirits and for anchoring the division day in and day out. Our heartfelt appreciation!”
Congratulations to this year’s graduates!
Naga Sumanth Gopireddy, MBBS
Imran Khawaja, MBBS
Dominik Thomas, MD