Program Overview

Our fellowship in pediatric endocrinology exposes fellows to a broad experience in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric endocrine disease. Study of normal and abnormal endocrine function and application of basic science to clinical medicine (e.g., signal transduction, genetics) is emphasized, as well as understanding the critical role of endocrinology in normal growth and development, critical illness (e.g., DKA, sodium and water disorders, adrenal crises), preventative care (e.g., diabetes, dyslipidemia) and transition to adult care. Fellows develop the special skills of a pediatric endocrinologist including analysis and interpretation of special laboratory tests, stimulation tests (e.g., growth hormone provocative tests), radiographic studies (e.g., bone age) and growth data.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods include full participation in clinical care both as consultants and in the outpatient setting, formal clinical and research conferences, formal presentations of cases including the literature, and at least two national meetings during the fellowship. Scholarly activity in the form of research is expected of all fellows.

First Year

During the first year, the fellow spends six months on service, one month in diabetes education and five months in outpatient endocrinology. She/he is required to attend the one-week Department of Pediatrics Fellows' Course (ethics, research design and biostatistics, approach to teaching, writing papers and grants, academic career paths) in August. With the help of the faculty, she/he is expected to identify a research mentor and begin to develop a hypothesis-driven research project.

Second and Third Years

The second and third year fellows spend three months on service and nine months in outpatient endocrinology. They are expected to devote fifty percent of their time to research. Outpatient experience entails at least one diabetes and one endocrine session per week.

Duty Hour Requirements

Duty hour requirements are strictly enforced. Fellows on service are "on call" from home. They carry the pediatric endocrine emergency beeper 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with two weekends per month off-call. The two fellows not "on call" cover one weekend each per month. Duty hour surveys will be made on a quarterly basis.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is not permitted during months on call.

Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity through hypothesis-driven research, either in the basic sciences or clinical sciences, is required. Although some fellows may not choose to pursue an academic, research-oriented career, designing, executing and analyzing a research project develops the ability to think critically, analyze information and appreciate the contribution of research to state-of-the-art clinical medicine.

In order to assure a comprehensive understanding and breadth of experience in pediatric endocrine disorders, acquisition of knowledge through avenues in addition to clinical care is emphasized through reading literature and attending conferences. Content is important, and should be learned in the context of its application if possible. Fellows are actively encouraged to read appropriate textbooks and literature as it relates to clinical care; in addition, they are encouraged to read in the broad areas of pediatric endocrine disease as outlined by The American Board of Pediatrics, Sub-board of Pediatric Endocrinology (available on-line as well as provided on CD).

In summary, the endocrine fellow receives broad clinical instruction in endocrinology and metabolism. In addition, a significant portion (approximately half) of his/her experiences focus on in-depth research training. We expect that the training received in our program will be sufficient to pursue advanced research training, a junior faculty position or clinical practice. This three-year training program is approved for accreditation by the sub-board in Pediatric Endocrinology of the American Board of Pediatrics.

For more information, please visit Endocrinology Fellowship.