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Joel Topf, MD, Nephrology, Detroit, MI, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield Campus

JoelMTopfMD

Nephrology Detroit, MI

Nephrologist at St Clair Specialty Physicians

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Summary

  • I’m a clinical nephrologist from Detroit, Michigan. I consider seeing patients my day job but my passion is medical education. I caught the bug in 1993 while writing a 200 page microbiology study guide during my third year of medical school. The proceeds of that project funded a more ambitious project, a 4 year, 500 page, fluids and electrolyte masterpiece that was a commercial flop. In 2003 I launched a pediatric application on the Palm Pilot (remember those?) called Kidometer. I started one of the first nephrology blogs in 2008. I am active on twitter and somehow today I find myself to be the public face of nephrology on Twitter. In 20013 I was a founder of NephMadness, a totally preposterous, social media-medical education-gamification-Franken Creature that rocks the nephrology social media sphere every March. In 2014 I co-founded NephJC, a Twitter journal club for nephrology that meets twice a month.

    In addition to my work in social media I teach the second year medical students at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. I also teach residents, med students and fellows at St John Providence Hospital and Medical Center, where I was awarded Teach of the Year.

Education & Training

  • University of Chicago
    University of ChicagoFellowship, Nephrology, 2001 - 2003
  • Indiana University School of Medicine
    Indiana University School of MedicineResidency, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, 1996 - 2000
  • Wayne State University School of Medicine
    Wayne State University School of MedicineInternship, Transitional Year, 1995 - 1996
  • Wayne State University School of Medicine
    Wayne State University School of MedicineClass of 1995
  • University of Michigan
    University of MichiganBGS, 1987 - 1991
  • University of Michigan School of Public Health
    University of Michigan School of Public HealthBachelor's, 1987 - 1991

Certifications & Licensure

  • MI State Medical License
    MI State Medical License 1995 - 2025
  • IL State Medical License
    IL State Medical License 2001 - 2005
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Nephrology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Member of the 2015 #HIT99 EMR & HIPAA magazine, 2015
  • Teacher of the Year Providence Hospital, 2014
  • Best instructor: renal and urinary course OUWBSoM, 2012
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Social media, medicine and the modern journal club  
    Topf J, Hiremath S, Int Rev Psychiatry, 1/1/2015
  • Ten Steps for Setting Up an Online Journal Club  
    Chan TM, Thoma B, Radecki R, Topf J, Woo HH, Kao LS, Cochran A, Hiremath S, Lin M, J Contin Educ Health Prof, 1/1/2015
  • NephMadness 2015: Nephrology as a Cornerstone of Medicine  
    Sparks MA, Lerma EV, Kupin W, Phelan PJ, Jhaveri KD, Topf J, Am J Kidney Dis, 1/1/2015
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Books/Book Chapters

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Abstracts/Posters

  • Correction Rate of Severe Hypernatremia and Morbidity and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients
    Abdulrazzak A, El-Kateb M, Melidonian M, Henderson HL, Topf J, ASN Kidney Week, 1/1/2014
  • NephMadness 2014, a Social Media Campaign to Promote Nephrology Education and Interest
    Topf J, Sparks MA, Lerma EV, Kupin WL, Jhaveri KD, ASN Kidney Week, 1/1/2014
  • Nephrology Blogosphere: An Analysis of Productivity, Longevity, and Consistency
    Topf JM, ASN Kidney Week, 1/1/2013
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Lectures

  • How to Dip Your Toes into Social Media 
    Montreal, Canada - 1/1/2015
  • A Nephrologists guide to getting started in social media 
    Philadelphia, PA - 1/1/2014
  • NephMadness: Social Media Campaign to Promote Nephrology Education and Interest 
    Atlanta, GA - 1/1/2013
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Other

  • Acute Renal Failure: Finally, Some Progress 
    Topf JM, Renal & Urology News
    1/1/2006
  • Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease 
    Topf JM
    UPCMD.com
    1/1/2000
  • Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease 
    Topf JM
    UPCMD.com
    1/1/2000
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Authored Content

  • Ascension St John Nephrology Fellowship Closing ArgumentOctober 2020

Press Mentions

  • Robert G. Narins Award
    Robert G. Narins AwardNovember 14th, 2022
  • Keep Calm and #AskRenal
    Keep Calm and #AskRenalNovember 11th, 2022
  • How Sweet We Need It
    How Sweet We Need ItMay 30th, 2022
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Hospital Affiliations