Vanderbilt University has a long tradition of excellence in research and innovation. This has been recognized with two Nobel Prizes for Physiology or Medicine: Earl Sutherland for his discovery of cyclic AMP and to Stanley Cohen for his discovery of Epidermal Growth Factor. Over 90 principal investigators comprise the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC), which is the nation's oldest program. These investigators are complemented by hundreds of additional investigators at the multiple colleges at Vanderbilt. Endless opportunities exist for research training in areas related to pediatric endocrinology.
A central focus of the Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship program at Vanderbilt is the development of exceptional pediatric endocrine specialists seeking to pursue an academic career. Research is an integral part of our program, and our fellows will develop unique expertise based on their area of interest within pediatric endocrinology. Prior research experience is not required.
The fellow’s research experience will be supported by well-established infrastructure at the division, department, and institutional levels, ensuring access to a wide range of potential mentors and collaborators as well as opportunities for career development. Our division is dedicated to providing rigorous training and protected time for the pursuit of scholarship. Second-year and third-year fellows are limited to six weeks of service and one half-day per week with any additional outpatient clinical activity tailored to fit their academic interests. The remainder of the time (about 80 percent) focuses on the development of an area of research and academic interest and expertise. First-year fellows work closely with the division/program director to identify candidate mentors. Research mentors can be selected from faculty at Vanderbilt University and can have either a clinical or basic science focus. Once a research mentor is chosen, the fellow will identify a Scholarship Oversight Committee in accordance with American Board of Pediatrics requirements and will meet with their SOC at least twice yearly. Depending on the interest area and experience of the fellow, some fellows may also desire and benefit from enrolling in the Master of Public Health degree program.
Fellows are expected to compete for intramural and extramural funding and will receive guidance from their research and division mentors in this process. Fellows are also expected to present their findings at intramural and national conferences and submit their findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Learn more about our faculty’s research initiatives.
Educational Conferences
The fellows in all years of training will be expected to attend and participate in a robust didactic schedule.
Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics Core Curriculum for Fellows
Fellows will be required to attend the Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics Core Curriculum lecture series. Fellows from all pediatric subspecialities at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt are in attendance. Major topics addressed include professionalism, financial life support, networking, conflict resolution, clinical epidemiology, evidence-based medicine, biostatistics, research methodology, study design, ethical principles, manuscript preparation, and effective leadership.
Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds
The Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds is held Tuesdays from 12-1 p.m. at Monroe Carell. Speakers are invited both from within and outside Vanderbilt to address a wide variety of topics.
Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics Research Conference Series
The Department of Pediatrics Research Conference is held Mondays from 12-1 p.m. As with Grand Rounds, speakers are invited both from within and outside Vanderbilt.
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Core Conference Series (weekly, rotating on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:30 p.m.)
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Fellow Summer School (weekly July-August with a focus on core endocrine topics particularly geared to first-year fellows)
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Board Review Series (monthly, fellow-driven with faculty preceptors. Topics will cover the entirety of the Pediatric Endocrinology ABP Board content over three years)
- Pediatric Endocrinology Journal Club
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Multidisciplinary Case Conference
- Biweekly Fellow Meeting with Fellowship Program Director
- Quarterly Fellow Meeting with Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Committee, comprising a clinical and academic mentor group for each fellow
- Weekly Combined Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology Grand Rounds (every Wednesday at 8 a.m.)
- Department of Pediatrics Fellowship Core Curriculum Series
- Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds
- Department of Pediatrics Research Conference
- Department of Pediatrics and Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Morbidity, Mortality and Improvement Conference
- Department of Pediatrics Chief's Case Conference
- Department of Pediatrics Annual Research Retreat
- Department of Pediatrics Faculty Development/Becoming a Better Educator Summer Series
- Quality Academy