The fellowship program in pediatric endocrinology is a three-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Dr. Francesco De Luca is the program director and can be reached at francesco.deluca@drexel.edu.

Our program is a vibrant and exciting experience that combines clinical training as well as excellent clinical and basic research training for individuals with career interest in academic medicine. Clinical training takes place in nine months of first year, six months of the second and three months of the third year, while the rest of time is devoted to basic and/or clinical research. The faculty of the Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes consists of very accomplished clinicians, whose interest include all aspects of general endocrinology and diabetes.

Our faculty is also recognized by medical students and pediatric residents as outstanding teachers, with the endocrine elective being one of the most popular at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.  Member of our division are actively involved in several clinical and laboratory research studies focused on:          

• molecular mechanisms regulating growth plate chondrogenesis        
• bone metabolism in growth hormone deficiency        
• novel strategies to treat osteoporosis in chronic diseases          
• risk factors of metabolic syndrome in minority groups    

The Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes provides services for children and adolescents with disorders of the endocrine glands. The mission of our fellowship program is to prepare future pediatric endocrinologists for a successful academic career, and to advance knowledge in our field through cutting-edge research activities as well as clinical services and medical education.  

Clinical responsibilities  

The clinical service consists of an average of ten half-day outpatient clinics a week, during which an average of 80 patients are seen by our faculty and nurse practitioner.

The inpatient service averages between two and six patients per week. During her/his clinical rotations, the fellow attends the outpatients clinic four to five half-days a week and is responsible for the care of inpatients. In addition, she/he take calls every weekday and every other week-end. Both in clinic and in the inpatient service, fellows are precepted by a faculty member.

All fellow are expected to attend our monthly journal club and weekly clinical conference. In the second and third years, the fellow attends a weekly half-day continuity clinic, where she/he provides ongoing care to a group of patients followed from the first year.  

Teaching responsibilities  

The fellow participates in the eduation of medical students and pediatric residents during their elective experience in pediatric endocrinology, as well as of the housestaff taking care of the inpatients. She/he will also deliver lectures to the Pediatric Endocrinology team monthly and to the whole housestaff periodically (noon conferences)

Research Opportunities  

During the first year of training, the fellow will be exposed to the research activities carried out by the faculty, and she/he will be helped in selecting a main research area of interest. Once the research project is chosen, the fellow will be closely mentored and helped in the scientific design, execution of the study and analysis of the results. During the study, the fellow will expected to meet with the mentor weekly and with the whole endocrinology team monthly at the data club, where the ongoing project will be reviewed and constructive suggestions given.  

How to apply  

If you have any questions or would like to request a hard copy application, please contact:  

Name: Mrs.Magda Lopez, executive secretary of the program director

Address: Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes
St. Christopher’s Hospital  for Children
Erie Ave. at Front St.
Philadelphia PA 19134

Telephone Number: 215-427-8100

Email address: magda.lopez@tenethealth.com   

Eligibility

Physicians who will complete residency training in a program approved by the American Board of Pediatrics who will otherwise be eligible for board certification may apply for the Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology. Pennsylvania law requires all fellows to have successfully completed all three Steps of the USMLE prior to the onset of their fellowship. Copies of the scores of each step need to be provided with the application. Three letters of recommendation from physicians familiar with your clinical work should be sent directly to the Program Director. Foreign Medical graduates are invited to apply after they have successfully completed the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) process and have a valid certificate number; copies of these documents need to be provided with the application. Where applicable, the candidate needs to have a valid visa. After reviewing all the informations, the staff will contact competitive applicants to arrange an interview.