One in four people in the United States have risk factors for kidney issues
Cookeville – Dr. Chike Nzeure credits his grandmother for getting him into nephrology.
“She suffered and eventually died from kidney failure,” he said. “She inspired me to go into medicine to help others not suffer like she did.”
One in four people in the United States have risk factors for kidney issues. Prevention and screenings is what Nzeure wants to emphasize. Nzeure joins Dr. Quarrat Shamim at Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s nephrology clinic.
“When issues are diagnosed early, they can be treated,” he said. “Every patient is different. I want to know the person behind the disease and not lose that person to the disease.”
Nzeure earned his medical degree from the University of Nigeria Medical Center in 1988. He then went on to do his internship at the University of Nigeria Hospital, a residency at the Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech, and a renal fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
He completed additional training at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. His professional experience includes a mix of clinical and academic positions.
“I feel like I did everything I could in the academic realm,” he said.
His research includes kidney disease in pregnancy, substance abuse and how lupus affects the kidneys.
“I want to keep an open mind in approaching the patient and the disease,” he said.
He has been working in a temporary position with Shamim in the nephrology clinic over the past year and has become actively invested in the community.
“I like this hospital and staff,” he said. “I’ve worked in Washington, Wyoming, and Georgia, and each place has its uniqueness, but Cookeville is different. It’s a good community here.”
One advancement he has seen progress over the years is dialysis.
“It’s more mobile now,” he said.
Nzeure is accepting new patients. Call 931-783-2902 to set up an appointment.
Photo courtesy of CRMC.
