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Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship Program

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 Mission & Aims

Mission Statement

The mission of the Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship program of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine is to prepare highly-qualified physicians for careers in academic or clinical endocrinology. With our outstanding faculty and facilities and our comprehensive curriculum, we aim to provide fellows with exceptional clinical training and research experience. The goal of the program is to provide comprehensive and evidence-based clinical training and experience, and to provide in-depth research training opportunities within a broad range of clinical, translational, and basic research domains. The breadth and strength of research opportunities across the Northwestern campus, coupled with the strong atmosphere of collaboration among and within the different divisions, is a major strength of our research program. Through our comprehensive Core Curriculum, we provide didactic teaching that focuses on multidisciplinary patient care and covers all core endocrine topics including physiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, therapy, genetics and molecular biology of endocrine disorders. The practicum components of our Core Curriculum additionally provide practical clinical experience in the major subspecialty areas housed within endocrinology. With the mentorship and guidance of faculty who model clinical excellence, scholarship, and professionalism, we aim to train and educate a diverse group of endocrinologists who will acquire and incorporate new knowledge into practice, and use this training to educate future generations of endocrinologists. 

Program Aims

The Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship program of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is a two-year training program which provides fellows with the opportunity to acquire the medical knowledge, procedural skills, interpersonal and communication skills, professional qualities, and practical experience to become independent and highly-skilled endocrinologists. While enrolled in the fellowship, fellows have the opportunity to develop basic or clinical research projects under the mentorship of Endocrine faculty. The Endocrinology Fellowship program aims to prepare fellows for successful careers in clinical endocrinology, as well as for individuals interested in becoming physician-scientists in basic or clinical research.  Many of our recent graduates are now in junior faculty positions at academic institutions throughout the country, and we make every effort to continue this tradition.

The Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship program trains fellows to become highly competent in caring for patients with a broad range of endocrine disorders. The fellows receive formal instruction, clinical experience, and opportunities to develop expertise in the evaluation and management of patients with a broad range of conditions and stages of illness. The different rotations provide fellows with exposure to patients with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and to the complexities surrounding health care resources and delivery.

Fellows are mentored in both the clinical and research settings by faculty members who serve as role models in clinical care, professionalism, and research. The fellowship program emphasizes the importance of professionalism, humanistic qualities, and compassionate medical care. Faculty mentors provide fellows with a thorough introduction to clinical endocrinology and research methodology.  Our faculty is enthusiastic about its teaching mission and is committed to providing the best possible fellowship experience.

A formal and comprehensive Endocrinology Core Curriculum provides fellows with didactic teaching covering all major domains of clinical endocrinology, instruction regarding fundamental skills in the critical appraisal of scientific literature, and exposure to practical topics and skills in clinical endocrine practice.  A comprehensive reading list covering core endocrine topic areas is updated annually and available to the fellows electronically via a Northwestern-supported file sharing service, and targeted readings for each didactic session assist the fellows in achieving the goals and objectives of each session.

Input and feedback from fellows is encouraged and continually integrated into the program in an effort to maximize the learning experience. Fellows are expected to be active participants and partners in fostering a climate of academic excellence and outstanding patient care.

Further program details, including our housestaff manual, are available on our McGaw Medical Center Graduate Education site. Likewise, we recommend reading through our FREIDA listing (program number 1431621060).  The program consists of compulsory two-year training, followed by a research year that is contingent upon performance and funding.  The program meets the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements for board eligibility in endocrinology.

 Clinical Experience

The clinical training program is based at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), Northwestern Medical Group, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (VA) and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Collectively, they form the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. NMH is an 894-bed academic medical center hospital that is the primary teaching affiliate for the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. NMH is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Chicago and Illinois and as No. 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. NMH is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and innovative advancements in a variety of clinical areas, including cardiovascular care, oncology, neurology and neurosurgery, solid organ and soft tissue transplants, orthopedics, and women’s health at Prentice Women’s Hospital within Northwestern Memorial. The NIH-supported Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS) provides essential infrastructure, resources and services to scientists at Northwestern University. Lurie Children's Hospital serves as a major referral center for pediatric patients.

The first year of the fellowship focuses primarily on clinical training. During the first year, fellows rotate on the inpatient endocrinology consult service, have a continuity general endocrine clinic, rotate in the VA outpatient endocrinology clinic, and rotate through various subspecialty rotations. The continuity outpatient clinic continues during the second year. Second-year fellows continue to rotate through various subspecialty clinics and the VA outpatient endocrinology clinic, as well as the inpatient consultation service.

Subspecialty clinics are an integral part of the training program. They include:

  • Thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration
  • Bone health
  • Continuous glucose monitoring
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Diabetes in pregnancy
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Pituitary disorders
  • Adrenal disorders
  • Lifestyle medicine/weight management
  • Female reproductive endocrinology
  • Transgender medicine

 Research

All fellows are assigned a faculty research mentor early in fellowship. Core Faculty Mentors for the Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism fellows, from both the Endocrine Division as well as collaborating Divisions and Departments across the greater Northwestern research community, mentor our fellows on a diverse range of clinical and basic research projects.  The breadth and strength of research opportunities across the Northwestern campus, coupled with the strong atmosphere of collaboration among and within the different Divisions, is a major strength of our research program. During the first and second years, fellows are committed to clinical or laboratory research projects during the time that they do not rotate on the inpatient endocrine consult service. 

The faculty in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine include innovative scientists who have established programs at the forefront of investigation in metabolism and energetics.  For example, the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome study seeks to advance knowledge on the relationship between maternal glycemia and maternal-fetal risks. This massive research initiative has spanned over two decades and has involved thousands of pregnant women at 16 sites worldwide.  With a strong commitment to excellence in patient-centric research, our faculty are leading the way in clinical investigation and are making significant contributions to bridging gaps between bedside and bench science.

Among the basic science laboratories, there is a current focus on investigating the regulation of metabolism by circadian rhythms, islet cells function and the genetics of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

NUPEDHA

For qualified fellows who wish to further pursue research during the third year of training, the Northwestern University Program in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hormone Action (NUPEDHA) provides fellows with support for research training and protected research time (75 percent). The NUPEDHA is mentored training program sponsored by an institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (Grant # 5T32 DK007169) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The purpose of this program is to train scientists and physicians who can make scientific discoveries and apply these discoveries to the prevention and treatment of diseases in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. For over 30 years, NUPEDHA has supported graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Northwestern University, providing trainees access to an outstanding group of program mentors and valuable career development resources. Find more information about NUPEDHA.

 

 

 Education

Core educational conferences are integral to the Endocrinology training program. They include:

Core Didactic Curriculum: Mondays, 1 to 2 p.m.

Didactic lectures covering all core endocrine topics including physiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, therapy, genetics and molecular biology of endocrine disorders are presented by key faculty from endocrinology and selected faculty from other disciplines. Targeted assigned readings from the primary literature accompany each lecture to broaden the fellows’ exposure to foundational endocrine literature. In addition, a comprehensive reading list covering core endocrine topic areas is updated annually and available to the fellows electronically via a Northwestern-supported file sharing service.

Research Conference (Endocrinology Seminar Series): Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m.

Local, regional and national experts are invited to present recent research findings.   

Clinical Case Conference: Thursdays, 5 to 6 p.m.

Fellows or faculty members present recent cases from the inpatient consultation service or outpatient clinics, and a multidisciplinary high-risk thyroid cancer tumor board is held monthly. The fellows present cases and discuss management questions with the faculty of the Division of Endocrinology and other selected faculty members (Endocrine Surgery, Pathology, and Neurosurgery).

Endocrine Practicum Series: Select Mondays, 12 to 1 p.m.

Fellows are exposed to select practical topics in clinical endocrinology, including diabetes technology (insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring), DXA interpretation, and dynamic endocrine testing. 

Journal Club: Select Mondays, 12 to 1 p.m.

Research faculty facilitate critical reviews of current studies and teach fundamental skills in critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Wellness Curriculum: Select Mondays, 12 to 1 p.m.

Seminars focusing on varying aspects of personal and professional wellness for Endocrinology fellows.

Health Equity Curriculum: Select Mondays, 12 to 1 p.m.

Fellows receive endocrine-specific education in social determinants of health via active learning modules, didactics, and readings.

Board Review Series: Monthly, Mondays 12 to 1 p.m.

Endocrine board review sessions are held monthly using an interactive format.

Summer Boot Camp: Daily for two weeks in July

Faculty present focused lectures targeting core endocrine emergencies and basic endocrine management skills.

Fellows are offered support to attend a national conference annually.

 Core Mentors

 Diversity & Inclusion

The Department of Medicine seeks to attract inquisitive, motivated residents and fellows and is committed to providing them with every opportunity for success. The challenges facing the medical field are complex, and addressing them will require a diverse body of physicians and researchers who can work collaboratively. Northwestern offers unparalleled training and research opportunities and encourages fellowship applications from those who seek to become future leaders in the subspecialties of medicine.  We are committed to and inspired by a diverse and inclusive work environment that allows each trainee to achieve their personal goals.

For more information on Northwestern’s commitment to diversity, please see the following resources:

 Requirements & Eligibility

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism fellowships are offered to MDs who have completed at least two years of postgraduate training in internal medicine in an ACGME-accredited program.  All applicants are expected to be board eligible in internal medicine when beginning the fellowship.  This implies that a physician must have completed the requisite pre-doctoral medical education, meet the postdoctoral training requirements, and demonstrate clinical competence in the care of patients. It is expected that all Endocrinology fellows will have passed USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3 as requirements of training.  In addition, applicants must be eligible for an unrestricted Illinois medical license.  Eligibility for the National Institutes of Health T32 training grant that supports most fellows during the research years requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status.   Applicants holding J-1 visas will be considered for the 2-year clinical track, but only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for positions on the T32 training grant and for a third year of fellowship.    Applicants holding H-1B visas will not be considered.  Non-US citizens who are entering a Northwestern ACGME-accredited training program are required to obtain visa sponsorship prior to beginning their program.

The program meets and exceeds the requirements for board eligibility in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.

Minimum position requirements:

  • Outpatient general endocrinology continuity clinic (one half day per week)
  • Outpatient VA continuity clinic (2 fellows per week; one in two weeks averaged over the two years of fellowship)
  • Rotation through subspecialty outpatient clinics (up to three half-days per week when not rotating on the inpatient endocrinology consult service)
  • Rotation on the inpatient endocrinology consult service, which includes weekend/evening call, as below. In addition to the assigned inpatient consult service months below, fellows may be required to spend additional time rotating on the inpatient consult service as back-up to the primary assigned fellow when needed.  The number of months listed below are subject to change.

                 o  1st year fellows: 18 weeks per year

                 o  2nd year fellows: 8-10 weeks per year

  • Participation in all didactic and educational conferences and activities
  • Commitment to clinical or laboratory research project(s) under the mentorship of faculty mentor or mentors (fellows typically devote approximately 7 months of the first year and 9 months of the second year to research activities). During these months, fellows are additionally required to complete all outpatient and educational responsibilities.
  • Fellow must strive for excellence in all aspects of patient care and teaching, including professional demeanor and conduct at all times.  Fellows must be familiar with and adhere to all of the Endocrinology training program’s policies, as well as the Conduct and Responsibilities policies of McGaw, other policies of McGaw, and the policies of any McGaw member hospital.
  • Fellows must have a valid Illinois medical license.

 Application Process

The Division of Endocrinology participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We do not accept any paper applications. For more information about ERAS, consult the ERAS website. In addition to ERAS, we also participate in the National Residency Match Program for applications. For more information, including deadlines, visit the National Resident Matching Program site.

We have committed to conducting all applicant interviews virtually for the 2023-24 recruitment cycle (including local applicants).

 Why Northwestern?

Housestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago. Learn more via the links to the McGaw website below.

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Contact Us

Emily Szmuilowicz, MD

Emily Szmuilowicz, MD

Fellowship Program Director

Endocrinology

View Faculty Profile

Tillie Moy

Fellowship Coordinator

Endocrinology, Nephrology and Hypertension, Geriatrics

tmoy( at )nm.org
312-926-4118

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

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