Fellows Resources

Promoting the health of an aging US population will require physicians who understand and can treat metabolic diseases including diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis. Our division welcomes fellowship applicants with a desire to explore the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of endocrine and metabolic diseases as a basis for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches these conditions.

The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Division at UNC-CH is composed of clinical and basic research faculty with interests in all aspects of endocrinology. Clinical care is delivered at hospital and clinic sites, with opportunities to interact with pediatric and reproductive endocrinologists. Ongoing investigations in our division supported by federal and industry grants include clinical diabetes, pituitary, PCOS and obesity trials, and basic research into diabetes, IGF axis, bone remodeling, and atherosclerosis. PCOS, osteoporosis, nutrition and diabetes outcomes research.

Our fellowship training program enrolls 2 new fellows each year supported by federal grants and hospital funds. Our goal is to generate superb endocrinologists who are at the cutting edge of research and patient care. At the end of training we expect our fellows to be able to understand research applicable to their profession, to continuously update their practices with new knowledge, pass the Endocrinology/Metabolism Boards, and be respected contributors to their chosen profession. The Division Faculty looks forward to providing an exciting, congenial and challenging educational experience.

Introduction to Endocrine Pathophysiology & Disease Management

• Outpatient continuity clinics at the Highgate Subspecialty Center: Fellows spend M-F mornings in Diabetes, General Endocrine, Pituitary and Thyroid Ultrasound/FNA specialty clinics.
• Inpatient Consult Service: Fellows spend 16 weeks on the inpatient consult service.
• Presentations at Endocrine Case Conference: Fellows present cases weekly to combined adult, pediatric and reproductive Endocrine faculty.
• Research: Fellows are expected to complete a research project during training. Planning this project begins during the first year.
• Conference attendance.

Advanced knowledge acquisition in the evaluation and treatment of endocrine disorders.

• Outpatient continuity clinics at the Highgate Subspecialty Center: reduced clinic time with increased autonomy in patient care, time gaps as needed for research.
• Inpatient Consult Service: 2nd year Fellows spend 8 weeks on the hospital service.
• Conference attendance; teaching skills evaluation.
• Increased protected time for research.

The third year is offered to all residents on an elective basis. It is not required by our program or by the ABIM for board certification in endocrinology. The 3rd year fellow is expected to spend most of their time in research.

• Fellows Core Curriculum Teaching Conference (weekly): Didactic conference series covering core topics in general endocrinology delivered by Division Faculty.
• Research Conference (1/month): A formal research conference by home and visiting faculty. Topics range from basic science topics to clinically oriented research.
• Cased-Based Teaching Conference (3/month): Multidisciplinary conference attended by subspecialty residents and faculty from adult, pediatric, and reproductive endocrinology presented by Fellows.
• Topics in Molecular Endocrinology (monthly): Review of critical molecular endocrinology papers and research advances arranged by Faculty.
• Multidisciplinary Pituitary Adenoma Conference (monthly): Didactic presentation and review of active cases in joint discussion with endocrine, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neuropathology and radiation therapy participating.
• Endocrine Journal Club (monthly): All fellows attend with faculty participation.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board (weekly prn): Presentations of challenging cases, particularly in the management of thyroid cancer, by faculty and fellows from ENT, endocrinology, surgical oncology, nuclear medicine, for multidisciplinary input into diagnostic and therapeutic management.
• Department of Medicine Grand Rounds (Weekly)

• Fellows are evaluated by the Division faculty in regard to proficiency in the 6 core competencies of physician training. These include patient care, medical knowledge, practice based learning, systems based practice and professionalism.
• Fellows will also evaluate the quality of teaching of the training faculty.

Application to our program is through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS)