Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program

Ram Menon, M.D.
Director, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program      

 

The principal goal is to prepare the fellow for a career in academic medicine in this sub-specialty area. Clinical, Research and Teaching skills training are the cornerstones of the training program. 

Mission and Overview

The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program is three years in duration offering a broad range of both clinical and research opportunities.

The University of Michigan offers highly competitive salaries and tremendous benefits to our residents/fellows. An overview of salary, benefits, and employment eligibility is available on the GME Office website, under “Prospective Residents/Fellows.”

A growing number of Michigan Medicine off-site locations, as well as partnerships and joint ventures with other institutions, extend the range of training options both regionally and internationally.

 

Elizabeth Sandberg
Beth Sandberg, M.D.
Associate Director, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program

Clinical Training

The clinical training will include the acquisition of broad clinical skills in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes with exposure to a diverse population of patients ranging in age from newborn to young adult, with both complex and common endocrine problems. The clinical emphasis is to diagnose, manage and understand the physiology of hormonal regulation from infancy to young adulthood. Within the program, the fellow is prepared to become a consultant and work with other disciplines to care for the complex patient with endocrine disorder(s.)

The Pediatric Endocrinology training is carried out in both an inpatient and out-patient setting. Fellows will have both endocrine and diabetes continuity clinics, with a focus on integrating current technology to provide comprehensive care. Fellows also perform consultations and manage children admitted to the Mott Children's Hospital. There are about 25 new consultations each month. Fellows have the opportunity to attend clinics with adult endocrinology mentors to participate in adult diabetes complications, thyroid and/or adrenal management.

To achieve this objective, the fellows have a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in the outpatient clinic throughout their training. The clinical experience involves patients in the following categories (but not limited to these categories):

• Short stature
• Disorders of anterior pituitary hormone synthesis and secretion
• Disorders of posterior pituitary hormone synthesis and secretion
• Disorders of hypothalamic regulation of hormonal secretion
• Disorders of thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion
• Diagnosis of thyroid nodules and neoplasms
• Disorders of adrenal gland physiology, secretion and metabolism
• Disorders of androgen and estrogen metabolism
• Disorders of sexual differentiation and development
• Disorders of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism
• Disorders of parathyroid gland physiology
• Disorders of fluid and electrolytes
• Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism including diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia
• Abnormal puberty

Endocrine Testing

Broad clinical competence also includes the ability to perform endocrine testing carefully and safely and interpret these results accurately.

Research Opportunities

Fellowship trainees may participate in the clinical or basic science research projects of faculty members within the division. Fellows may extend experiences by participating in short projects to learn specialized techniques in any laboratory within the University. Interdisciplinary research is encouraged. Research partnerships have been developed in Obstetrics-Gynecology Department, Adult Endocrinology, and with the Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design, the Neuroscience Program, Biological Program, Molecular and Integrative Biology Program, Center for Human Growth and Development, the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, the School of Kinesiology and the School of Public Health.

Clinical Research Projects

The fellow is expected to review the pertinent literature to help design a clinical research project, present it for peer review and approval to the General Clinical Research Unit (GCRC) and for intra- and extramural funding. This process would include the preparation of protocol and consent documents for IRB approval. The fellow will be given the opportunity to participate in formal education on the protection of human subjects and will be expected to understand the ethical and safety issues of research in the child or adolescent. The Center for Statistical Consultation and Research (CSCAR) provides support and training in a variety of areas relating to the management, collection, and analysis of data. CSCAR also supports the use of technical software and advanced computing in research.

The Statistical Core of the General Clinical Research Center is a resource available to the fellow for the proper analysis of the data. In addition, our fellows could have the opportunity to participate in the “On-Job/On-Campus Clinical Research Course” (OJ-OC) pending interest and availability of departmental funds.

Basic Research Projects

The fellow is expected to critically review the literature pertinent to their research interest, help design their own basic research project, collect data and learn and execute the appropriate statistical analyses. There is the opportunity to participate in formal education on general basic science methodology at the start of the research experience.

For both clinical and basic science projects, it is expected that the fellow will be first author on one or more peer reviewed manuscripts derived from their project, and/or complete a grant proposal for intra or extra-mural funding (outcome may be funded or unfunded).

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity

A Pediatric Endocrinology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is also available. For more information or to speak to someone about this opportunity, please contact Beth Sandberg, M.D., at [email protected].

Eligibility and Selection

The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program follows the Graduate Medical Education policy on trainee selection. In addition, all trainees must have completed a three-year Pediatric Residency program at an ACGME-accredited institution.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the University of Michigan’s Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program. 

We will begin accepting applications through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) starting in August of each year for fellowship starting on July 1 on the following year. 

Exceptions to this process will be considered on an individual basis. You should contact the program coordinator for the specifics regarding exceptions. 

To be considered by the fellowship selection committee, applicants must meet our eligibility criteria and submit the following required documents:

  • Personal Statement
  • USMLE transcript of your USMLE scores
  • Photograph
  • CV
  • ECFMG transcripts (if applicable)
  • Three letters of recommendation (one of which should be from the Chief of Staff or Program Director)

We are only able to accept fellows who are US citizens or have permanent residency because of our sources of funding. Otherwise, it is necessary for fellows to provide funding from other sources for the three-year fellowship. 

After applications have been screened, selected applicants will be invited for interviews to meet our faculty, fellow, and staff and to tour the facility. 

We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or armed forces/veteran status.

CONTACT:

Ram Menon, M.D.
Fellowship Program Director
Pediatric Endocrinology
[email protected]

Beth Sandberg, M.D.
Fellowship Associate Program Director
Pediatric Endocrinology
[email protected] 

Denise Alton
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Medical Professional Bldg. D1109
1522 Simpson Road East
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718
Office: 734-936-4213
[email protected]

 

Dr. Martin

Watch Dr. Martin, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, speak about the benefits of training at Michigan Medicine.

 

Training at Michigan Medicine video

Why Train in Pediatrics at Michigan Medicine?