Mason

Kalada

Name and Degree(s)
Mason Kalada, MD

Where are you from?
Hendersonville, Tennessee

Education and Training
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Medical School: East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine
Residency: Wake Forest University School of Medicine

What are your career goals?
My goal after fellowship is to practice general nephrology in a private practice setting. I also have an interest in transplant nephrology and am excited to explore that further during fellowship. I enjoy teaching residents and medical students and hope to continue being involved in medical education wherever I practice.

What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
I was looking for a fellowship program that would provide strong clinical training and prepare me for my future career in nephrology. I wanted broad exposure to a variety of kidney diseases and a program that would help me continue to grow as a physician. Beyond the clinical training, I was also looking for a place where I connected with the faculty and could see myself building long-term relationships and friendships with my mentors and co-fellows.

Which Scholar pathway will you choose and why?
I am interested in the two-year Clinical Concentration pathway with participation in the Physician Leadership Concentration. I think it will complement my clinical training and help me develop the leadership skills that will be valuable throughout my career in nephrology.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?
I think one of Duke's biggest strengths is the environment and the opportunity to care for a broad range of patients with diverse kidney diseases. Having a larger fellowship class also helps distribute the workload and creates a great sense of camaraderie among the fellows. Ultimately, the biggest reason I chose Duke was the faculty, especially Dr. Sparks. From the interview process on, it was clear that the faculty are genuinely invested in helping fellows succeed both personally and professionally.