Dr. Tom Tanphaichitr, M.D.

Media Releases

Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Tom Tanphaichitr, who serves patients in Akron, Ohio.

Dr. Tanphaichitr is a highly trained nephrologist caring for adult patients with kidney disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Since 2015, he has been serving as the Chief of Nephrology Service at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Ohio.

In his current capacity, he is also the Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, Internal Medicine: Nephrology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General; an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University; and a physician at Americare Kidney Institute (at the offices in Akron, Medina, and Green).

Among his hospital affiliations, he collaborates with Akron General Hospital, Akron Children’s Hospital, Crystal Clinic, Cleveland Clinic – Medina Hospital, UH Portage Medical Center, Summa Akron City Hospital, Western Reserve Hospital, and Wooster Community Hospital.

Graduating with his medical degree from the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine in 1994, Dr. Tanphaichitr went on to perform his residency in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in 1998. This was followed by a fellowship in nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in 2000.

Subsequent to his education, the doctor attained board certification in internal medicine and nephrology through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. 

To advance his efforts, he remains a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Nephrology.

Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes. 

On a more personal note, Dr. Tanphaichitr speaks both English and Thai.

Recommended Articles

• What are the Treatment Options for Syphilis?

  What is syphilis?Syphilis is a very dangerous disease if not diagnosed early and treated with proper medication. Worse, it may even lead to death. Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and has four stages in its pathogenesis. It is one of those diseases which does not have typical...

• Young Ballerina with Muscular Dystrophy Has Her Dream Come True

  Dreams do come true, which has been the case for Jessica Kennedy. When she was just 18 months old, Jessica was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Now seven, she is bound to a wheelchair with limited mobility, but this little girl is still full of dreams.One of them is to become a ballerina and be...

• The Most Common Misconceptions about Muscular Dystrophy

  What is Muscular Dystrophy?Muscular Dystrophy is considered as a group of muscle diseases which leads to degeneration of the skeletal system leading to skeletal changes or the muscles and reduction in flexibility. This disease generally affects the muscular system and some other parts of the body....

• What Does a High Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count Mean?

  OverviewRed blood cells (RBCs), also called erythrocytes, are the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. They are also one of the major components of blood. Having a high red blood cell (RBC) count means that the number of RBCs in the bloodstream is higher than normal. When you have signs and...

• Phobia: What are the Different Types? How are they Treated?

  What Is a Phobia?People usually have fears like drowning, getting hurt by knives, fire, cockroaches, etc. However, in some cases, the fears become so irrational that the person has severe anxiety and tries everything possible to avoid facing the situations they’re afraid of. When fears become...

• What is Lupus Nephritis?

  Lupus nephritis is inflammation of the kidney as a result of lupus or SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). SLE is a condition whereby your organs and cells are attacked by your own immune system, making it an autoimmune disease. Approximately 60% of SLE patients are found to have lupus nephritis and...