Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida

Internship: Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Residency: Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Fellowship: Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Board-Certified: American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Nephrology

Professional Memberships: National Kidney Foundation, Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Medical Association, Orange County Medical Association: 2007-present

About Dr. Wechsler

In 1998, Dr. Eric Wechsler completed his undergraduate work in Neuroscience at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. He spent over 2 years researching a neurological disease known as stereotypic movement disorder. Dr. Wechsler was awarded Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with highest honors. 

Dr. Wechsler then entered medical school in 1998 at The University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. The highlight of his education was the opportunity to work in the inner city and work with the indigent population prevalent in the surrounding community. Dr. Wechsler volunteered in many free clinics and offered his free medical services whenever possible. This led to Dr. Wechsler receiving an Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Award for the best "Doctor-Patient Relationship" in his class.

In 2002, Dr. Wechsler was accepted into the Internal Medicine training program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA where he continued his specialty training in Nephrology. He completed his medical education in 2007.

In 2008, Dr. Wechsler opened his solo Nephrology practice in Newport Beach, California. He has maintained a focus in preventative medicine, taking care of many patients with early and new diagnoses of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity. He volunteers at least 5-10 hours of his time per month, at a free health clinic in Costa Mesa, called the Share Our Selves Clinic. He also participates annually in the National Kidney Foundation Orange County Kidney Walk. 

In 2011, Dr. Wechsler was honored as a Fellow of the National Kidney Foundation for his volunteering and fundraising efforts and contribution to patient and community education.

In 2012, Dr. Wechsler developed a mobile medical application for the iPhone, called the Pocket Dietitian and is now working in development and research of another app called Nutrino. His motivation stemmed from witnessing the struggles his patients were having with their dietary restrictions. On a daily basis, the patients expressed confusion about what they were supposed to eat - also feeling a significant loss in their quality of life when dietitians would tell them they could never eat their favorite foods again. This mobile application was designed to provide more freedom and understanding of the various medical dietary prescriptions and offer a simulated experience to a dietitian, on a real-time basis.

Dr. Wechsler believes very strongly that kidney disease and the associated conditions of heart disease and diabetes can be prevented or slowed with early detection and treatment. His general philosophy in medicine is to educate his patients so they will be empowered to aid the doctor in treating their disease.

Dr. Wechsler states, “Without the patient's complete involvement in the process of medical management, even the brightest doctor in the world would be of little use.”

Dr. Wechsler is eager to work with new patients and continuously strives to expand his knowledge in different areas of nephrology including nutrition, weight loss, and disease prevention.

Leadership

  • Chair of the Division of Nephrology, Hoag Hospital, 2015-2016
  • Medical Director, Newport Beach Dialysis Unit, 2014 - present
  • In-Patient Dialysis Medical Director, Hoag Hospital, 2014 - present
  • Member of the Board of the Southern California division of the National Kidney Foundation, 2014
  • Chair of the Services Committee, Orange County Medical Association

Research, Development & Publications

  • 2006-2007 Department of Transplant Immunology, CSMC, Los Angeles, CA.
    Efficacy and safety profiles of subcutaneous (SQ) Campath 1H administration in crossmatch (CMX) positive patients desensitized with intravenous gamma globulin. Mentors: Dr. S. Jordan, Ashley Vo, PharmD.
  • 2006-2007 Department of Transplant Immunology, CSMC, Los Angeles, CA.
    Update on parvovirus nephropathy: treatments and outcome. Mentors: Dr. C. Nast, Dr. S. Jordan.
  • 2003 Department of Transplant Immunology, CSMC, Los Angeles, CA
    Polyoma virus nephropathy, relation to anti-endothelial cell antibodies and transplant failure. Mentors: Dr. S. Jordan, Dr. M. Toyoda, Dr. D. Puliyanda
  • 1999 University of Miami Dept of Family Medicine
    Investigating the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in rural Haiti
  • 1999 American College of Physicians ASIM Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in rural Haiti
  • 1999 Eastern Student Research Forum, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL
    Abstract presentation: Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in rural Haiti
  • 1996-1998 University of Florida Department of Psychiatry
    Investigating the effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment on stereotyped behavior in deer mice. Mentor:Mentor: Mark H. Lewis, PhD, Dept, of Psychiatry, University of Florida
  • Wechsler, E. Yang, T. Jordan, S. Vo, Ashley. Nast, C. Anti-glomerular
    basement membrane disease in an HIV-infected patient. Nature Clinical Practice. Waiting for publishing.
  • Vo, A. Wechsler, E.A. Wang , J. Peng, A. Toyoda, M. Lukovsky, M.
    Reinsmoen, N. Jordon, S. Analysis of subcutaneous (SQ) alemtuzumab induction therapy in highly sensitized patients desensitized with IVIG and rituximab. Am Journal of Transplantation 2008; 8: 144-149. Professional Memberships