Joshua

Daum

Name and Degree(s): 
Joshua Daum, MD, MS

Where are you from?
Colorado Springs, CO

Education and Training
Undergraduate: Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO
Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Phoenix, AZ
Residency: Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
Chief Residency: Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

What are your career goals?
I aspire to be a clinician in academic medicine, with a focus on medical education and working with resident and fellow learners. I am considering further specialization in glomerular disorders or transplant nephrology, but am still exploring these options and keeping an open mind as I enter fellowship.

What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
Since I am continuing to explore my interests within nephrology, I was looking for a program that could provide broad exposure to nephrology subspecialties and procedures while still offering the flexibility to spend elective time delving into areas I find particularly intriguing. I prioritized large academic medical centers where I would have opportunities to participate in medical education and access the faculty and financial resources needed to support research. Most importantly, I sought programs that demonstrated true collegiality among fellows, strong mentoring relationships with faculty, and program leadership that actively supports effective learning and wellness.

Which Scholar pathway will you choose and why?
I will likely choose the Clinical Concentration Pathway, with a focus on either Transplant Nephrology or Glomerular Disorders. I am excited to learn from subspecialty experts as I continue to explore my interests, while further developing my medical education skills through the SEEDS pathway.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?
On paper, Duke is an exceptionally strong academic program that offers the breadth and complexity of pathology I was seeking, but what truly impressed me was my interview day. In all my interactions with Dr. Sparks, other program leadership, and the fellows, there was an unparalleled sense of collegiality, support, and family-like community that gave me a feeling of belonging. Each fellow seemed to genuinely enjoy their fellowship experience, benefiting from strong general nephrology training and mentorship, while preserving the ability to pursue subspecialty interests through the clinical concentration pathways and engaging in research and/or medical education. There were even fellow-driven program improvement initiatives that highlighted the collaborative relationships between fellows and faculty. Between the program’s outstanding academic foundation and these intangible qualities, I knew Duke was a place where I would not merely survive, but truly thrive as an academic clinician.