Program Overview
Endocrinology Fellowship Program
The Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Stanford University is designed to provide advanced clinical and research training in the field of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. The program aims to train the next generation of leaders in clinical endocrinology, medical education, and endocrine research.
Overview
The program encompasses inpatient consultations and outpatient clinics at three hospitals: Stanford Health Care, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Fellows are given increasing responsibility as they progress through the program, demonstrating their expanding knowledge base and expertise in the diagnosis and management of endocrine disease.
Sub-specialty Training Program
The subspecialty training program is designed to provide two to three years or more of advanced clinical and research training. The program emphasizes a scholarly approach to diagnosis and management through a combination of core didactics, guided clinical and research experience, and self-directed learning.
Track Options
The program offers two track options:
- Clinical Track: Emphasis on comprehensive clinical training, medical education, and the cultivation of leadership in healthcare.
- Two years of inpatient and outpatient endocrinology with the opportunity for a tailored curriculum with electives and a subspecialty focus
- Opportunities to participate in teaching opportunities and lead impactful quality improvement initiatives
- Includes two weeks of dedicated research time annually, along with built-in academic time during outpatient rotations for research and scholarly activities
- Research Track: Emphasis on becoming successful independent investigators in academic endocrinology.
- One year clinical focus on ambulatory and inpatient training
- One to two years of research (basic, clinical, or translational)
- The fellow will maintain participation in an ambulatory continuity clinic throughout fellowship
Clinical Experience
The first year is similar between the research and clinical tracks and is devoted entirely to the clinical experience. A variety of clinics are included in the core curriculum to provide a wide diversity of patients. Second-year fellows in the research track will participate in a continuity care ambulatory clinic in general endocrinology, participate in all didactic conferences, have inpatient service commitment a few weeks a year, while spending the vast majority of their time on their research activities.
Research Experience
Research fellows participate in a 1-week Intensive Course in Clinical Research in the beginning of their first year. Starting in year 2, research fellows work on basic, translational, or clinical research projects with one of the endocrine division research faculty members as a mentor. Clinical fellows have 2 weeks dedicated research time per year to engage in scholarly activity as well as academic time built into the outpatient rotation.
Inpatient Consultations
Fellows participate in extensive consultative activities in the general wards. During their clinical training, endocrine fellows spend time on the inpatient consultation services at Stanford, the VA, and SCVMC. A Stanford/VA fellow leads the Stanford/VA general endocrine consultation team, which includes an attending endocrinologist, rotating residents, and students.
Program Structure
The program includes a dedicated endocrine fellow curriculum, as well as a multitude of regular educational conferences, including patient conferences, grand rounds, journal club, and various tumor boards. There are ample opportunities for fellows to participate in teaching medical students and residents. Professional development programs are also available, including the SHAPES program for clinical education, the RITE program for improvement, and the LEAD program to enhance diversity.