Our Physicians and Staff

  • Dr. Srilakshmi Rebala, MD, FACP

  • Dr. Jorge Chancay, MD

  • Dr. Ashwin Thatti, MD

  • Julie Key, PA-C

  • Chloe Salazar, NP

  • Mallory Wilson, Clinical Manager

  • Jan Fleming, Operations Manager

  • Staff

Dr. Srilakshmi Rebala
Founder & Medical Director, Georgia Renal Associates
Board‑Certified in Internal Medicine & Nephrology | Fellow of the American College of Physicians

Dr. Srilakshmi Rebala has been serving the Athens and Northeast Georgia community since 2004, providing comprehensive nephrology care grounded in more than two decades of clinical experience. She is dedicated to enhancing patients’ quality of life through accurate diagnosis, evidence‑based treatment, and a strong emphasis on patient education and empowerment.

Dr. Rebala completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she contributed to clinical research, delivered numerous presentations, and co‑authored a peer‑reviewed publication. She later completed a prestigious Nephrology Fellowship at Emory University, receiving advanced subspecialty training in kidney disease, hypertension, electrolyte disorders, and complex renal therapies.

She currently serves as the Medical Director for Inpatient Hemodialysis at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital, overseeing the delivery of high‑quality acute dialysis care. Dr. Rebala is also passionate about teaching the next generation of physicians, serving as a clinical educator for medical students and residents at the University of Georgia / Augusta University Medical Partnership.

Her clinical interests include expanding access to home dialysis therapies, supporting patients pursuing kidney transplantation, and managing complex or rare conditions requiring Apheresis and CRRT.

Dr. Rebala is a Board‑Certified Internist and Nephrologist and actively maintains her certification through the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process. In recognition of her contributions to medicine, she was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) in 2017.

In addition to her nephrology practice, Dr. Rebala also has a complementary interest in whole‑person wellness and functional medicine through her separate practice, Renewal Method, where she supports patients seeking a root‑cause approach to their broader health concerns.

Dr. Jorge Chancay, MD
Nephrologist | Transplant Nephrology Specialist
Board‑Certified in Internal Medicine & Nephrology | Fluent in English & Spanish

Dr. Jorge Chancay joined Georgia Renal Associates in August 2022, bringing with him an exceptional depth of training and a strong commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered kidney care. He combines expertise in internal medicine, nephrology, and transplant nephrology with a genuine enthusiasm for helping patients improve their health—one person at a time.

Dr. Chancay completed his Internal Medicine Residency at New York University, where he developed a strong foundation in managing complex medical conditions. His passion for kidney health led him to pursue a Nephrology Fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. He then completed advanced subspecialty training in Transplant Nephrology at the renowned Recanati‑Miller Transplant Center at Mount Sinai, gaining extensive experience in caring for kidney transplant recipients.

Throughout his residency and fellowship years, Dr. Chancay remained active in clinical research, authoring and co‑authoring multiple peer‑reviewed publications in respected medical journals. His academic background enhances his ability to provide evidence‑based, up‑to‑date care for patients with kidney disease.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Chancay has always enjoyed teaching medical students and residents. To strengthen his skills as a medical educator, he completed certification through Harvard University in Educating Future Physicians. His passion for education continues to shape his work and patient interactions.

Dr. Chancay’s clinical interests include:

  • Kidney transplant patient management

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

  • Hypertension and complex metabolic disorders

  • Dialysis care and kidney failure management

He is board‑certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and is an active member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the national organization responsible for overseeing organ allocation and transplant systems in the United States.

Fluent in both Spanish and English, Dr. Chancay is committed to providing culturally sensitive, accessible care to all patients.

Dr. Ashwin Thatti, MD
Nephrologist
Board‑Certified in Internal Medicine & Nephrology

Dr. Ashwin Thatti joined Georgia Renal Associates in August 2023, bringing with him a strong foundation in internal medicine, nephrology, and clinical research. He is deeply committed to patient care and is known for his compassionate approach and dedication to treating each individual with the time, attention, and respect they deserve.

Dr. Thatti completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His passion for kidney medicine led him to pursue a Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Texas at Houston, where he gained advanced training in the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, acute kidney injury, and dialysis therapies.

Throughout both his residency and fellowship, Dr. Thatti was actively involved in clinical research, authoring and publishing several peer‑reviewed articles in respected medical journals. His research background strengthens his ability to apply the latest evidence‑based approaches to patient care.

A physician since childhood aspiration, Dr. Thatti brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and genuine commitment to his work. His philosophy of “one patient at a time” reflects his belief in personalized care and meaningful patient‑physician relationships.

Dr. Thatti is board‑certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

Julie M Key, PA-C
Board‑Certified Physician Assistant

Julie Key, PA‑C has been a valued member of the Georgia Renal Associates team since 2010. She brings more than a decade of experience in providing compassionate, patient‑centered care to individuals with kidney disease, hypertension, and complex chronic medical conditions.

Ms. Key earned her Bachelor’s degree from Asbury University in 2006 and went on to complete her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Kentucky in 2010. Shortly after completing her training, she joined Georgia Renal Associates and has been an integral part of the practice ever since.

As a board‑certified Physician Assistant, Ms. Key is committed to delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based care while building meaningful and trusting relationships with her patients. She is known for her attentive listening, warm communication style, and dedication to helping each patient understand their condition and treatment plan.

Julie is married to her husband, Kyle, and together they have two children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and being active in the community.

Staff

Our office staff include Mallory, Jan, Hattie, Kayla, Sarah and Carsyn. They handle all of our patients’ needs from scheduling appointments to making patients’ comfortable once in our office in an efficient and compassionate manner.

Mallory, Jan, Sarah, and Kayla are Certified Medical Assistants.