Endocrinology

Residents interested in Endocrinology should seek out experiences that provide a broad understanding of the diagnosis and management of hormonal and metabolic disorders in children. This includes exposure to conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal and pituitary abnormalities, and growth and puberty concerns. Residents should aim to participate in multidisciplinary clinics, such as diabetes or metabolic bone clinics, to develop skills in managing complex and chronic endocrine conditions. Additionally, gaining experience with diagnostic tools like hormone assays, dynamic testing protocols, and advanced imaging techniques is crucial. Engagement in research and quality improvement projects in endocrinology is encouraged to enhance their understanding of evidence-based care and prepare them for subspecialty training.

Contact

Nancy Crimmins

Essential Elective

Recommended Electives

A half or full block elective should allow residents to explore Turners, PCOS, contraception, primary amenorrhea due to anatomic defects, and fertility.

Though a core rotation, an additional half block in Adolescent Medicine should focus on taking care of teens with diabetes and chronic disease as well as Transgender Care.

Other Electives

During this half or full-block elective, residents will explore the renal regulation of water balance, electrolytes, and blood pressure, complementing their understanding of endocrine conditions such as diabetes insipidus, SIADH, and mineralocorticoid disorders.

During this half or full-block elective, residents will gain experience in the evaluation and management of obesity-related complications, including metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH), dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular risk, with opportunities to design an integrated elective focused on prevention and long-term metabolic health.

During this half or full-block elective, residents will work with psychologists and behavioral health specialists to better understand the mental health challenges associated with chronic endocrine conditions, such as disordered eating in diabetes, depression in thyroid disease, and psychosocial stressors in children with growth disorders.

During this half or full-block elective, residents will explore the gastrointestinal contributors to poor growth, nutrition, and autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and malabsorption syndromes, deepening their understanding of how GI pathology intersects with endocrine growth and metabolic disorders.

During this half or full-block elective, residents will develop skills in recognizing genetic syndromes with endocrine manifestations, interpreting genetic testing for monogenic diabetes, congenital adrenal disorders, and growth abnormalities, and counseling families on hereditary endocrine conditions.

During this half or full-block elective, residents will refine their understanding of dietary interventions for endocrine disorders, including carbohydrate counting in diabetes, nutritional strategies for obesity, and specialized diets for metabolic and lipid disorders.

Recommended procedures

• All residents should be competent in the following procedures:
  • Bag mask ventilation
  • Bladder catheterization
  • CPR
  • Hemorrhage control

Optional procedures

• Interpret Pituitary Testing – Residents will learn to analyze dynamic pituitary function tests, including stimulation and suppression testing for growth hormone, cortisol, and other anterior pituitary hormones, to diagnose conditions such as growth hormone deficiency, adrenal insufficiency, and central hypothyroidism.
• Run a Fasting Challenge – Residents will conduct supervised fasting studies to evaluate hypoglycemia, including interpretation of glucose, ketone, and hormone responses, aiding in the diagnosis of disorders such as hyperinsulinism and adrenal insufficiency.
• Monitor Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Data – Residents will gain experience in interpreting CGM trends, adjusting insulin therapy, and educating patients and families on the use of real-time glucose data to optimize diabetes management.
• Prepare and Inject Insulin – Residents will practice preparing and administering subcutaneous insulin, including dose calculation, injection techniques, and patient education on insulin therapy for diabetes management.

Other Experiences

Contact the Division of Endocrinology to discuss additional conferences that you can attend over time.

Scholarly Activity

Most applicants pursuing Endocrinology participate in a scholarly project. The project does not have to be housed in the Division of Endocrinology specifically, but most residents applying to Endocrinology have completed a project with a Division mentor. The quality of the mentoring and methodology are the most important criteria programs consider.

Professional Organizations

• Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) – The leading professional organization for pediatric endocrinologists, providing resources for clinical care, research, and education.
• American Diabetes Association (ADA) – A national organization dedicated to diabetes research, advocacy, and education, offering guidelines and professional resources for managing pediatric diabetes.
• Endocrine Society – A global community of endocrinologists advancing research, clinical practice, and professional development in hormone-related disorders, including pediatric endocrinology.

Journals & Online Resources

• Diabetes Care – A top-tier journal publishing research and clinical guidelines on diabetes management, including pediatric diabetes care and technology.

• The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) – The leading journal in clinical endocrinology, featuring research on pediatric endocrine disorders, metabolic disease, and hormonal regulation.