Division of  Endocrinology and Metabolism

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship

Clinical Training

Inpatient Rotations

Fellows rotate through a wide range of clinical settings, gaining extensive experience in inpatient endocrinology across UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore, UPMC Shadyside, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. At UPMC Presbyterian, two distinct inpatient consultation teams – comprising fellows, residents, and medical students – are staffed by endocrine faculty. A nurse practitioner manages the majority of hospitalized patients with diabetes, while a dedicated neuroendocrine service oversees perioperative management for patients undergoing pituitary surgery.

During inpatient rotations, fellows evaluate new consults, provide management recommendations to primary teams, and follow ongoing cases to ensure optimal endocrine care. Common conditions encountered include diabetes mellitus, abnormal thyroid function, hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, diabetes insipidus, and SIADH. Fellows also lead and teach interdisciplinary teams, contributing to both clinical care and educational development.

Outpatient Rotations

Throughout the fellowship, trainees participate in weekly continuity clinics at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, the UPMC Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE), and UPMC Shadyside Hospital. Under faculty supervision, fellows manage their own panel of patients, providing comprehensive and longitudinal care across the full spectrum of endocrine disorders.

In addition to continuity clinics, fellows rotate through a variety of specialized outpatient settings, including the Multidisciplinary Thyroid Clinic, Pituitary Clinic, Diabetes Clinic, Osteoporosis Clinic, Pediatric Endocrine Clinics at UPMC Children’s Hospital, Reproductive Health Services in Monroeville, and the VA’s Multidisciplinary Diabetes Management and Pump Clinics.

Our program also integrates telemedicine as a core component of clinical training. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was an established part of our practice, allowing us to serve patients across large geographic areas. Following the pandemic, the program evolved into a hybrid model that continues to blend in-person and virtual care. Fellows gain significant experience in telemedicine, preparing them for modern, flexible models of endocrine practice.

Procedure Training

Fellows receive hands-on procedural training and are expected to achieve proficiency in the following by graduation:

  • Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid
  • DXA bone density interpretation
  • Insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems
  • Thyroid ultrasound

 

Didactic Curriculum

The fellowship’s didactic curriculum is designed to complement clinical and research training through a rich variety of educational conferences, seminars, and interactive learning experiences. Fellows participate in weekly, monthly, and quarterly sessions that emphasize clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Core conferences cover major areas of endocrinology, including adrenal and pituitary disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes, obesity, and bone and mineral metabolism. Regular journal clubs foster critical appraisal of the latest scientific literature, while dedicated board review sessions strengthen foundational knowledge and prepare fellows for subspecialty certification.

Fellows also benefit from case-based conferences that promote discussion of complex clinical scenarios and patient management strategies across disciplines. Multidisciplinary tumor boards and specialty conferences bring together experts from surgery, pathology, radiology, and other specialties to provide a comprehensive approach to patient care.
Academic development is further supported through research-focused sessions, including monthly Research in Progress meetings where fellows present ongoing projects and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers. Each summer, a focused lecture series reviews core concepts in endocrine physiology and disease mechanisms to help new fellows build a strong foundation.

Together, these didactic experiences create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment that supports clinical excellence, scholarly growth, and lifelong learning.

Learn more about conferences within the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

For more information, please contact:

Maureen Thomas
GME Program Manager
412-586-9884
thomasm19@upmc.edu

Training Sites

The hospitals and clinics of UPMC and the VA Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS) provide exceptional venues for comprehensive clinical training. UPMC Presbyterian, the flagship tertiary referral center for western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and the broader UPMC network, offers extensive exposure to complex and diverse patient populations. The recently modernized VAPHS complements this experience by providing rich inpatient and outpatient training opportunities with a strong focus on continuity of care and veteran health. Together, UPMC and the VA form a dynamic and collaborative training environment that equips future physicians with the clinical expertise, compassion, and versatility needed to excel across a wide spectrum of patient populations and practice settings.

UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore

UPMC Presbyterian is the flagship hospital of the UPMC health system and a major academic and research hub located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. Founded in 1893, it is nationally recognized for excellence in organ transplantation, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, trauma services, and neurosurgery. As a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center and leading referral hospital, Presby provides state-of-the-art care to patients from across the region and around the world.

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS)

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is one of the nation’s most advanced and comprehensive VA health systems, providing exceptional care to Veterans across seven sites, including the University Drive campus. As a major academic affiliate of the University of Pittsburgh, VAPHS offers fellows unparalleled opportunities to train alongside expert clinicians and researchers in cutting-edge areas such as transplant surgery, geriatrics, mental health, and rehabilitation. With nationally recognized research centers and a strong emphasis on innovation, education, and service, VAPHS prepares the next generation of physician leaders dedicated to advancing Veteran and public health.

UPMC Shadyside

UPMC Shadyside is a 520-bed, nationally ranked teaching hospital that has provided exceptional care to the Pittsburgh region since 1866. Home to the flagship campus of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Shadyside offers advanced specialty services, innovative research opportunities, and a strong academic partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. As a Magnet®-designated hospital, it is recognized for excellence in patient care, nursing leadership, and clinical education.

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in women’s health, offering comprehensive care across obstetrics, gynecology, oncology, and a wide range of specialty services for both women and men. As a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee combines exceptional clinical training with a commitment to research and innovation through the Magee-Womens Research Institute – the nation’s first center devoted exclusively to women’s and infants’ health. With a century-long legacy of excellence, Magee provides fellows with a dynamic environment to advance patient care, education, and discovery in gender-specific medicine.

Children’s Hospital of UPMC

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric care and the region’s only hospital exclusively dedicated to infants, children, teens, and young adults. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, CHP offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, and a full spectrum of subspecialty services. Its innovative John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center fosters groundbreaking discoveries in pediatric health, from genomics and immunology to transplantation and neuroscience, creating a rich environment for fellows to learn, collaborate, and advance child health.

UPMC GME Hospital Tour