ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES AND METABOLISM FELLOWSHIP

Program Director: Philip R. Orlander, M.D.

Associate Program Director: Mary D. Ruppe, M.D.

Endocrinology Fellowship Application Information for Fellowship starting July 1, 2009: The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Training Program at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston is a two-year clinical/research fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Candidates for the Endocrinology Fellowship Training Program must complete three years of Internal Medicine Residency in an ACGME accredited program, and be board eligible or certified in Internal Medicine.

Two positions are available beginning July 1, 2009.

Fellowship is open to U.S. citizens, permanent U.S. immigrants and international applicants as follows:

• Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
• Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications:
  • Have a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
  • Have successfully completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.
• Applicants who are not citizens of the United States must apply for an ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visa or have an INS issued employment authorization. H1B visas are not sponsored by this institution for Graduate Medical Education. More detailed information on the visa requirements and application procedures may be obtained from the Office of International Affairs at 713-500-3176.
• All applicable licensure eligibility requirements must be fulfilled prior to starting a training program.
• Prospective residents must pass a criminal background check.

For a complete list of documents required from international medical school graduates, please view http://med.uth.tmc.edu/administration/gme/img_docs.html. Applicants who are selected to interview will personally need to present these documents to our Graduate Medical Education Office at time of interview.

ERAS & NRMP Information (University of Texas at Houston Program - ACGME ID: 1434831017): The Endocrinology Fellowship Program is participating in the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS), and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). For details on how to apply, please visit: www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm or call the ERAS Help Desk: (202) 828-0413. Documents required with ERAS application include a personal statement describing goals and objectives, current curriculum vitae, 3 letters of recommendation, current photo, list of any research experience or any publications, list of any particular area of research, United States Medical Licensing Exam ("USMLE") scores.

ERAS Timeline/Program's Deadlines:

• November 15, 2007: Applicants can begin applying electronically through ERAS to our program.
• December 1, 2007: We will begin downloading applications via ERAS.
• January 7, 2008: Our program's deadline to receive applications.
• January 08, 2008 - March 31, 2008: Interviews will be held.

Due to the heavy volume of applications we receive, personal interviews will be extended to a select number of applicants.

Endocrine Match Timeline:

• January 2, 2008: NRMP opens for applicant and program registration
• April 9, 2008: Ranking opens for applicants and programs
• May 21, 2008: Program quota change deadline. Programs must submit final information on quotas and withdrawals.
• June 4, 2008: Ranking closes for applicants and programs
• June 18, 2008: Match Day. (Match results can be obtained from the NRMP website.)
• July 2009: Fellowship training begins

SUMMARY OF THE ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES AND METABOLISM FELLOWSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM: The purpose of this training program is to prepare the physician for a career in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. We believe that the foundation of excellence should be the same whether the career is in the practice of endocrinology, or in research or academic medicine. We therefore strive to help the fellow become an excellent endocrinologist. This training demands the development of a high level of clinical skills as well as a strong fund of knowledge of the pathophysiology manifestations and principles of treatment of diseases generally seen by endocrinologists.

One of the most important principles of the fellowship training is that the fellow should accept progressively increasing degrees of responsibility for the care of patients. The level of responsibility is governed by the relationship between the fellow and the attending faculty. The principles of patient care demand that the attending physician retain ultimate responsibility for the welfare of his/her patients. We expect that attending physicians will delegate progressively more and more authority to the house officer as he/she progresses through the training program. Acceptance of this responsibility requires that the resident have time to assess the patient, have time to develop a reasonable formulation of the patient's problems, and to propose a plan of management. With the concurrence of the attending physician, the plan of management may then be undertaken by the house staff. Additionally, the attending physician has an obligation to teach endocrinology to the fellow. The teaching is best carried out in the context of the immediate clinical situation. The attending physician and fellow should work together for the benefit of the patient.

The two years of training encompasses several different kinds of clinical experiences. Inpatient consultative services are provided at Memorial Hermann, LBJ County Hospital, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Ambulatory services are provided at University of Texas Physicians clinics, LBJ clinics, M.D. Anderson Cancer clinics, and the Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology (a private practice). Every fellow attends faculty staffed continuity clinics twice weekly. In addition, there is training in thyroid ultrasound techniques and ultrasound guided thyroid fine needle aspirations through a weekly clinic. Required rotations include all of the major aspects of endocrine care, including reproductive endocrinology, pediatric endocrinology and endocrinologic oncology.

The first-year fellow will typically spend approximately four months on inpatient consults, one month in pediatric endocrinology, one to two months in reproductive endocrinology, one months in oncologic endocrinology, and three to four months in research activities.

The second-year fellow will typically spend approximately four months in inpatient consults, six months in research activities, and the remainder of the time in electives.

In scheduling rotations, we consider four factors. First and most important is educational value. Second is the requirement of the American Board of Internal Medicine, that there be at least 12 months of meaningful patient responsibility. The third factor is the requirement for staffing of clinical services. The fourth is the preference of the resident with regard to specific electives. Rotations at other institutions can be arranged.

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
6431 Fannin, Ste. 6100
Houston, Texas 77030
713-500-6646

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