The ANIO 2026 GP Kaushal Excellence in Fellowship Award goes to Dr. Prachi Bansal. Dr. Bansal is a second-year Nephrology Fellow at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she has built a reputation for thoughtful clinical care, steady academic output, and a genuine, patient-first approach to medicine.
Dr. Bansal grew up in Dublin, Ohio, where her uncle, a practicing nephrologist, first introduced her to the field and remains a lasting source of inspiration. That early spark deepened through her volunteer work as a camp counselor at the National Kidney Foundation’s Kappa Kidney Camp, where she contributed more than 300 hours leading activities for children living with kidney disease. There, she formed a close friendship with one camper in particular — a remarkably positive young person whose outlook on life left a lasting impression on her. His passing was a profound loss, but the time she spent with him reshaped how she thinks about kidney disease and fueled the passion for nephrology she carries into her practice today.
Dr. Bansal completed medical school at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she served as Diversity Chair in student government, worked as an anatomy tutor, and was honored with the university’s “Woman of Distinction” award and a Diversity and Inclusion Award at graduation. She went on to complete her Internal Medicine residency at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, presenting a case of thrombotic microangiopathy at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meeting and seeking out additional exposure beyond her residency curriculum, observing angioplasties, stent placements, and peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions.
At Harbor-UCLA, Dr. Bansal has taken on the breadth of general nephrology and enjoys home dialysis, critical care, glomerulonephritis, and transplant nephrology. She presented a case report on catheter locks at Annual Dialysis Conference and is looking forward to presenting on medullary nephrocalcinosis and reninoma at American Society of Nephrology this year and participating with her co-fellows in the FIT-Bowl. She has also delivered PBLI lectures and Grand Rounds on topics including ADPKD and plasma cell dyscrasias — she particularly enjoys the teaching side of fellowship, working closely with residents along the way. She took part in the ASDIN Dialysis Vascular Access Training Workshop and enjoys developing skill in transplant kidney biopsies under faculty supervision. Beyond the clinic, she is an active member of Women in Nephrology and serves as Co-chair of the Patient Care Fund with her union, helping departments secure equipment to support patient care.
Dr. Bansal is still exploring exactly where her career will take her, drawn as she is to academic nephrology, transplantation, and interventional nephrology alike. What comes through clearly is her curiosity and her genuine investment in the people she treats — qualities that trace back to her time at kidney camp and that continue to shape how she practices today.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Bansal enjoys racket sports and previously competed in tennis and table tennis. She is also a henna artist and someone who recharges through kickboxing, hiking, working out, and spending time with friends and family. She recently got married, capping off a big year both personally and professionally.
ANIO congratulates Dr. Bansal!
Categories: Announcements, ASN event, award, GP Kaushal Award
American Nephrologists of Indian Origin 
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