THE FELLOWSHIP

The training program spans two years, with an option for a third year dedicated to completion of a research project. The first goal of the Fellowship is to develop excellent clinical skills in endocrinology. Accordingly, during both years fellows participate in outpatient clinics and provide inpatient consultations at Stony Brook University Medical Center and the VA Medical Center. Fellows are responsible for initial patient evaluations and treatment plans, follow-up care and teaching house officers and medical students. All cases are seen with an attending endocrinologist. Fellows teach one or two classes in the diabetes patient education program each month. Rotations on the pediatric endocrinology service are required during the second year of Fellowship.

The second goal of the fellowship is to provide an introduction to clinical and/or laboratory research. During the first year the fellow is encouraged to explore the investigative activities of the facility and join an ongoing protocol or design an independent study in one of the endocrine laboratories at either Stony Brook University Medical Center or the VA Medical Center. The fellow works closely with a faculty member who acts as a preceptor. If a fellow desires to pursue a research project in greater depth, support for a third year of fellowship may be sought.

Weekly conferences are an integral part of the training program. Fellows are encouraged to attend Department of Medicine Grand Rounds on Wednesday mornings. On Friday afternoons, the Endocrine case review conference discusses interesting cases of the week; this is followed by a core curriculum conference and a formal weekly conference comprising Journal Club, Research conference and Clinical conference.

Attendance at national scientific meetings is a valuable stimulus to education and research. Financial support is provided for fellows to travel to annual meetings of the Endocrine Society and American Diabetes Association. In the second year of training, fellows attend the week-long Endocrine University program at the Mayo Clinic, where they receive certification in endocrine procedures.