Decatur County Memorial Hospital would like to welcome Nephrologist Dr. Jennifer J. Bucki to their staff of outpatient specialty services. Dr. Bucki is a native of Wyandotte, Michigan. She graduated with highest honors from Butler University and earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. She served her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Methodist Hospital of Indiana. She completed her nephrology fellowship at Methodist Hospital of Indiana and Indiana University. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and the subspecialty of Nephrology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
A nephrologist is a physician who has been trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease, by regulating blood pressure, regulating electrolytes, balancing fluids in the body, and administering dialysis. Nephrologists treat many different kidney disorders including acid-base disorders, electrolyte disorders, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), hypertension (high blood pressure), acute kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine.
Patients are referred to nephrology specialists for various reasons, such as:
- Acute renal failure, a sudden loss of renal function
- Chronic kidney disease, declining renal function, usually with an inexorable rise in creatinine
- Hematuria, blood in the urine
- Proteinuria, the loss of protein especially albumin in the urine
- Kidney stones, usually only recurrent stone formers
- Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
- Hypertension that has failed to respond to multiple forms of anti-hypertensive medication or could have a secondary cause
- Electrolyte disorders or acid/base imbalance
Kidney diseases have often been underestimated in many respects - most people are not aware of their impaired kidney function. In general, kidney diseases are “silent diseases,” most often there are no apparent early symptoms. Many people with kidney diseases are not aware that they have been living with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, infections, hospitalizations, and of course kidney failure which requires dialysis or transplantation.
Dr. Bucki stated, “DCMH is an environment where patients feel welcome and respected. I recognize that every person is an individual who has a unique set of health issues and concerns. As a new member of the DCMH physician staff, I will offer personalized treatment to every patient based on their identified needs while striving to deliver compassionate care by answering questions and explaining complex topics in a way that is easy to understand. I believe in a teamwork approach to care in which the patient, physicians and staff must work together with the goal of attaining the best possible outcomes.”
Dr. Bucki will begin to see patients September 2018. If you would like more information or to schedule your appointment, please call 812-222-DOCS.