Michał’s story

The ERA short-term fellowship programme is an excellent initiative that provides structured, hands-on training in highly specialized areas of nephrology. It offers fellows the opportunity to gain practical skills, learn from experienced mentors, and experience different institutional settings. I found it to be a well-organized programme that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world procedural expertise.

Absolutely. The ERA short-term fellowship represents a valuable academic and clinical achievement. It highlights advanced training in interventional nephrology and demonstrates both commitment to professional development and the ability to acquire and apply specialized skills. Including this fellowship on my CV not only reflects my expertise but also signals readiness to contribute meaningfully to patient care and institutional growth.

The fellowship has had a significant impact on my career by equipping me with the technical expertise and confidence to independently perform a wide range of interventional nephrology procedures. Educationally, it has deepened my understanding of vascular access creation and maintenance, renal biopsies, and interventional imaging techniques. Professionally, it has opened the door to expanding services within my home department and to taking on a more active role in training and mentoring colleagues.

During the fellowship, I gained extensive experience in vessel mapping, vascular access evaluations, central venous catheter insertions (tunnelled and non-tunnelled), ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies, and procedures such as angiography and angioplasty. Beyond technical skills, I benefited greatly from working alongside expert mentors who provided invaluable guidance on complication prevention, patient management, and procedural decision-making. These experiences have not only enhanced my clinical practice but also broadened my perspective on how interventional nephrology can significantly improve patient outcomes.