Apply for Accreditation

For accreditation or re-accreditation applications contact Felicia Lembesis, flembesis@ahint.com. 

  1. Initial accreditation applications are accepted at any time and must be completed at the online application submission website. Payment, however, for the initial accreditation fee is not accepted through the online submission website. Once the application is processed an invoice will be forwarded. Payment can be provided via bank check or credit card. 
     
  2. Prospective transplant nephrology fellowship programs should apply for accreditation at least one year prior to training a transplant nephrology fellow. Once approved, accreditation is effective for three years provided that the program complies with the program criteria and procedures.
     
  3. Every 3 years accredited programs must re-apply for accreditation. Transplant fellowship program directors will receive an email and a letter with instructions to submit the re-accreditation application and fee.
    Payment for the re-accreditation fee cannot be accepted through the online submission website. Payment can be made by credit card or check with the invoice that is emailed/mailed.
     
  4. Re-accreditation site visits are generally only required every six years, unless significant issues are reported or found.
     
  5. Any questions regarding the application process, should be directed to Felicia Lembesis at flembesis@ahint.com.

Initial Application Process

The initial accreditation application must be completed online. The application fee of $3,000 (checks made payable to "AST TNFTAP") should be sent to the AST Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Training Accreditation Program, LLC office. The application fee covers administrative fees, as well as travel expenses associated with the site visit (discussed below). If the AST Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Training Accreditation Program, LLC Review Committee determines, based on its review of the application, that an applicant transplant nephrology fellowship program is unsuitable for site visit review, the application fee minus $500 will be returned to the applicant transplant nephrology fellowship program

Site Review

Each initial transplant nephrology fellowship program applicant will be visited by two members of the review committee which is composed of nephrologists chosen from the membership of the American Society of Transplantation. Accredited transplant nephrology fellowship training programs are also subject to a site visit conducted by one or two reviewers (such number to be at the discretion of the committee) in connection with the re-accreditation process to be undertaken every six years. In special situations, additional visits may be required, as determined by the committee, particularly for re-accreditation of transplant nephrology fellowship programs previously placed under review.

Committee members will be assigned to evaluate transplant nephrology fellowship programs that are in geographic regions distant from their own programs. Prior to the site visit, the names of the site reviewers will be sent to the applicant programs transplant fellowship program director. If the transplant fellowship program director objects to the reviewer(s), the committee will select an alternate reviewer(s). The site visit must include 30-minute interviews with the medical director of the transplant program, the transplant nephrology fellowship program director, the nephrology program director, the transplant program surgical director, the transplant pathologist, a general nephrology fellow, and a current transplant nephrology fellow, if there is one in training.

Research or scholarly activities should be reviewed with the transplant nephrology fellowship program director. If the transplant nephrology fellowship program determines to allow transplant nephrology fellows to train via the alternative pathway, then a 30-minute interview with the research director must also take place. Additionally, the hospital wards and clinic, and the outlined didactic program will be reviewed. If the transplant nephrology fellowship program is not UNOS approved, the program’s survival data will need to be reviewed. A standardized form will be completed by the site reviewers, reviewed by the committee, and then submitted for final review to the AST Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Training Accreditation Program, LLC Board of Managers.

Application and Review Time Line for New Applicants

Initial accreditation applications may be accepted at any time. The site visit will occur within six months following receipt of payment of the application fee and the completed application. The chair of the review committee will communicate the review summaries with a recommendation to the board of managers. Notification of a decision with respect to accreditation will be provided to the prospective transplant nephrology fellowship programs via certified letter (or via Federal Express for Canadian programs) from the chairperson of the committee. Transplant nephrology fellowship programs will not be able to begin training a transplant nephrology fellow under the Program until the proposed transplant nephrology fellowship program has been approved. Prospective transplant nephrology fellowship programs should apply for accreditation at least one year prior to training a transplant nephrology fellow.

Once approved, accreditation is in effect for three years, provided that the accredited transplant nephrology fellowship program complies with the published program criteria. Accredited transplant nephrology fellowship programs must go through the re-accreditation process every three years. All accredited transplant nephrology fellowship programs will be provided with a fixed expiration date, measured from the approval date, of December 31.

Due Process

If a transplant nephrology fellowship program is denied accreditation, the program may re-apply after correction of the identified deficiencies. A transplant nephrology fellowship program also has the option to withdraw its application at any time during the initial or re-accreditation application process. If a transplant nephrology fellowship program feels the decision of the board of managers is incorrect, the transplant nephrology fellowship program may appeal the decision to the board of managers within 60 days of their initial denial decision. A final decision will be communicated to the transplant nephrology fellowship program director within 120 days of receipt of the appeal.