Haskel Schiff Nephrology Chief Fellows

In 2026, the Nephrology Chief Fellow position was formally designated as the Haskel Schiff Nephrology Chief Fellow in honor of Dr. Haskel Schiff, an internal medicine resident at Duke in the 1960s who had planned to pursue fellowship training in nephrology. Tragically, Dr. Schiff passed away before completing his residency. In his memory, his family established the Haskel Schiff Memorial Fund, which supports the Haskel Schiff Award in Medicine, given to a Duke internal medicine resident who demonstrates outstanding clinical excellence and a deep commitment to patient care. The Memorial Fund now also provides support for the nephrology chief fellow, further extending Dr. Schiff’s legacy within the program.

Chief fellows play a critical role in both the fellowship program and the division. They serve as an essential liaison between fellows and faculty, facilitating communication and helping to drive meaningful program improvements. They chair the Fellowship Improvement Committee (FIC) and contribute substantially to the education of residents and medical students. In addition, chief fellows are integral to recruitment efforts and oversee many aspects of the day-to-day scheduling and operational management of clinical services.