Endocrinology Fellowship Program at a Glance
The Division of Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism is committed to training fellows in all aspects of Endocrinology to acquire competency as a specialist in the field, our overall goal being to develop exceptional, independent-thinking, Endocrinology specialists. The approach to teaching includes both inpatient and outpatient rotations that provide exposure to a broad spectrum of disease, as well as didactic lectures and hands-on procedural training.
The faculty are responsible for educating and evaluating the fellows by providing supervision and direction of patient care. Fellows demonstrate their competence by demonstrating and justifying their care plans to the supervising faculty, integrating best clinical evidence and guideline-based strategies for appropriate diagnosis and management.
Over time our fellows are afforded graduated autonomy based on their demonstrated patient management skills. Fellows are responsible for management of all inpatient consult services, as well as for teaching and supervising residents and medical students. Fellows also present scientific posters and give oral presentations at standing Division conferences and, if desired, national meetings.
About Our Endocrinology Fellowship
Curriculum Overview
Fellows rotate through hospitals and clinics at 2 training sites: UC Davis Medical Center and the Northern California VA Mather Medical Center. During their training, fellows are expected to:
- Prioritize appropriate and cost-effective means to diagnose and treat patients with endocrine, diabetes, metabolism and clinical nutrition disorders.
- Demonstrate how to be an effective consultant in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Master biochemical and physiological aspects of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolic disorders.
- Interpret, compare, and contrast results of advanced clinical laboratory tests including immunoassays and dynamic endocrine stimulation tests.
- Perform comprehensive ultrasonography of the thyroid gland and complete supervised ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid gland.
- Analyze different approaches to care in our multidisciplinary diabetes education and treatment program.
- Critique journal articles relevant to endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism including statistical analysis, study design, power statistics, and writing clinical research protocols.
- Conduct and publish peer-reviewed research under the mentorship of an experienced physician-scientist in order to learn the principles and practice of scientific inquiry.
During training, fellows will be assessed as to their fund of knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism and demeanor, and practical experience. The training program emphasizes scholarship, self-instruction, and self-reflection to foster deeper critical analysis of clinical problems. Fellows will be encouraged to participate in professional organizations, community programs, and institutional committees.
At the end of the training program, fellows will develop expertise in the evaluation and management of endocrine disorders including principals of nutrition, lipid and glucose metabolism and dysfunction, disorders of the parathyroid, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and gonads, as well as the endocrine function of the kidney, brain, and other "non-endocrine" tissues.
Clinical Training
The fellows' principal clinical duties are related to the consultative and clinical activities of the endocrine division in both outpatient and inpatient settings. These involve on average 10 to 15 consultations per week in the inpatient settings (UC Davis Health or Mather VA Medical Center) and outpatient clinics. Rotating medical residents and fourth-year medical students participate in these functions under the supervision of the endocrine fellow and members of the endocrine division faculty. While on the inpatient services, consultative rounds with faculty members are held daily and at least one teaching conference in Endocrinology is scheduled weekly. The program provides clinical exposure to a wide variety of acute and chronic endocrine conditions as well as the complications of longstanding disease and features two fellows’ continuity clinics to allow longitudinal training and long-term physician-patient relationships.
Research Opportunities
Our program provides both theoretical and practical research training to the endocrine fellows. Fellows in our program are allotted dedicated research time, during which it is anticipated that the fellow will participate in quality improvement, basic or clinical research under the guidance of faculty mentors.
Research opportunities are available within the division as well as with other investigators within the School of Medicine, at the UC Davis campus, and at the VA. All fellows are encouraged to seek grant support, and we anticipate that the results of these research activities will be published.
UC Davis is one of twelve institutions that received the Clinical and Translational Science Center award from the National Institute of Health.
GME Salary Scales are as follows:
Per academic year fellows have a total of 20 Vacation Days & 12 Sick Days total.
Rotations & Clinics
The following is a sample of a typical week of an Endocrinology Consult rotation.
The following is a sample of a typical week of an IGT/Diabetes rotation.
The following is a sample of a typical week of VA Consults & Clinics. The location of the VA Consults & Clinic is 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA
The fellow is part of a consult team that also includes the attending physician. Educational bedside rounds with designated staff take place several times a week. The focus of this rotation is the care of Endocrine diagnoses in veterans within a VA health care model. On this rotation, the fellows participate in outpatient clinics several half-days per week in addition to inpatient rounds in the afternoons.
The following is a sample of a typical week of a Clinic rotation.
The following is a sample of a typical week of an Electives rotation.
The following is a sample of a typical week of a Research rotation.
Research Rotation – General Timeline & Expectations
Fellowship Program (24-Month Duration) | UC Davis Medical Center
Year 1 – Foundational Phase (Months 1–12)
Months 1–3: Orientation & Exploration
During the first three months, fellows are expected to identify a research mentor based on their academic interests by September. Fellows should review ongoing departmental projects to explore potential areas of involvement and begin narrowing their research focus, whether it be clinical, quality improvement, or public health. Participation in research seminars, journal clubs, and Division research presentations is encouraged to develop foundational knowledge and identify research goals.
During the first three months, fellows are expected to identify a research mentor based on their academic interests by September. Fellows should review ongoing departmental projects to explore potential areas of involvement and begin narrowing their research focus, whether it be clinical, quality improvement, or public health. Participation in research seminars, journal clubs, and Division research presentations is encouraged to develop foundational knowledge and identify research goals.
Milestone: PGY-4 fellows will deliver their first research-in-progress presentation in May; after approximately nine months of research activity.
Months 4–6: Project Development
Fellows will finalize their research topic in collaboration with their mentor. A thorough literature review should be conducted to establish background knowledge and refine the study question, hypothesis, and methodology. If required, fellows should begin drafting and submitting an IRB protocol for approval.
Fellows will finalize their research topic in collaboration with their mentor. A thorough literature review should be conducted to establish background knowledge and refine the study question, hypothesis, and methodology. If required, fellows should begin drafting and submitting an IRB protocol for approval.
Months 7–9: Project Design & Approval
Once the project design is finalized, fellows will secure IRB approval or exemption. They should then set clear timelines and project milestones with their mentor and begin initial data collection. This may include chart reviews, data extraction, or lab-based research.
Once the project design is finalized, fellows will secure IRB approval or exemption. They should then set clear timelines and project milestones with their mentor and begin initial data collection. This may include chart reviews, data extraction, or lab-based research.
Months 10–12: Initial Data & Abstract Preparation
In this phase, fellows will continue data collection and begin preliminary data analysis. They should prepare abstracts for submission to regional or national scientific meetings.
In this phase, fellows will continue data collection and begin preliminary data analysis. They should prepare abstracts for submission to regional or national scientific meetings.
Year 2 – Execution & Dissemination Phase (Months 13–24)
Months 13–15: Data Analysis
Fellows will finalize data collection, organize datasets, and conduct statistical analysis with support from biostatisticians as needed. Results should be reviewed and interpreted with guidance from the research mentor and any co-investigators.
Fellows will finalize data collection, organize datasets, and conduct statistical analysis with support from biostatisticians as needed. Results should be reviewed and interpreted with guidance from the research mentor and any co-investigators.
Months 16–18: Manuscript & Presentation Preparation
During this phase, fellows will begin drafting a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. They should also prepare abstracts and materials for poster or oral presentations at upcoming conferences. Feedback from mentors and peers should be incorporated into all drafts.
During this phase, fellows will begin drafting a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. They should also prepare abstracts and materials for poster or oral presentations at upcoming conferences. Feedback from mentors and peers should be incorporated into all drafts.
Months 19–21: Dissemination
Fellows are expected to submit abstracts to national or international conferences.
Fellows are expected to submit abstracts to national or international conferences.
Months 22–24: Final Presentation & Future Planning
Fellows will deliver their final research presentation in May of the PGY-5 year. They should ensure their CV's are updated with all publications and presentations. Fellows must also inform the Program Coordinator, Reese Grey mbalcayde@health.ucdavis.edu, of any posters, presentations, or publications to be added to the program website. This period is also an opportunity to discuss ongoing or future research interests, including potential collaborations, academic appointments, or further study.
Fellows will deliver their final research presentation in May of the PGY-5 year. They should ensure their CV's are updated with all publications and presentations. Fellows must also inform the Program Coordinator, Reese Grey mbalcayde@health.ucdavis.edu, of any posters, presentations, or publications to be added to the program website. This period is also an opportunity to discuss ongoing or future research interests, including potential collaborations, academic appointments, or further study.
Milestone: PGY-5 fellows will deliver their final research presentation in May after completing nearly two years of scholarly activity.
General Expectations (Throughout the Fellowship)
Fellows should meet with their research mentors on a regular basis, at least once per quarter, to assess progress and receive guidance. Maintaining a research log or journal to document milestones, challenges, and feedback is recommended. Fellows must remain in compliance with all GME research training and documentation requirements. Participation in divisional research meetings, symposia, and collaborative academic discussions is expected throughout the fellowship.
Recently Published Fellow's Research
- Miranda Stiewig Rapp, Diagnostic Accuracy of Plasma Cytomegalovirus Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in People with HIV” *selected for the 2025 John C. Rutledge Trainee Research Award.
Conferences & Procedures
Endocrine Case Conference
During the conference, a case is introduced with supporting laboratory and radiographic studies, and the fellows provide their opinions regarding differential diagnosis and appropriate work-up. The presenting fellow provides a literature review of the topic discussed.
Clinical Practice Course
The core curriculum conference consists of lectures covering core topics in the field of Endocrinology. Clinical faculty provides lectures on their areas of subspecialty expertise and guest lectures provide talks on key topics in the field of Endocrinology. This lecture series is linked to board review sessions. During these sessions, In-Training Exam questions and answers are also reviewed, and Board Review topics are covered.
Fellows Training Series
All fellows are registered for and have access to all modules offered in the Fellow Training Series created by the Endocrine Society. Modules can be covered independently and reviewed with core faculty at teaching sessions throughout the year. Prior In-Training Exam questions are also provided through this resource.
Research Conference
During the fall of their first year, the fellows complete a formal research design course. It is expected that the fellows will begin a research project at this time, and continue the research project throughout the two years of fellowship. Bi-annually, each fellow provides a review and status of their research and quality improvement projects. This conference is designed to provide an interactive forum for the fellows to update the division regarding their projects and to receive feedback.
Journal Club
Endocrine Journal Club occurs monthly. The objective of the journal club conference is for fellows to acquire skills in evaluation of scientific publications, review and discuss the article with the clinical faculty, and present and critique the article.
Adrenal Clinic Conference and Tumor Board
This multidisciplinary conference is scheduled every third Thursday. Attending physicians from Endocrinology, Endocrine surgery, and Radiology as well as fellows and residents review adrenal cases. Cases presented are those of patients undergoing evaluation of an adrenal concern with Endocrinology and/or Endocrine surgery. The conference is an interactive forum for real-time case discussion, adrenal imaging and lab review and problem solving.
Thyroid Clinical Conference and Tumor Board
This multidisciplinary conference is scheduled every fourth Thursday. Attending physicians from Endocrinology (adult and pediatric), ENT, Endocrine surgery, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology as well as fellows and residents review thyroid and parathyroid cases. Cases presented are those of patients undergoing evaluation of thyroid and/or parathyroid concerns with Endocrinology and/or ENT and/or Endocrine surgery. The conference is an interactive forum for real-time case discussion, thyroid imaging and lab review and problem solving.
Pathology Conference
Division faculty and the fellows meet quarterly to biannually with an attending pathologist to review clinical cases in which endocrine division members have been involved, and a cytologic or pathologic sample has been obtained.
Nuclear Medicine Conference
Division faculty and the fellows meet quarterly to biannually with an attending Nuclear Medicine physician and residents to review clinical cases in which endocrine division members have been involved, and a nuclear medicine study (PET/CT, WBS, Thyroid uptake and scan, DXA, Sestamibi or MIBG) has been obtained to review imaging and discuss the clinical case for which the imaging was obtained.
During FNA clinic, fellows learn formal neck ultrasonogram techniques in order to visualize thyroid nodules, parathyroid glands, and neck lymph nodes for the following:
1) Post-operative thyroid cancer surveillance
2) Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules and suspected parathyroid adenomas
3) Suspicious lymph nodes in patients with a prior history of thyroid cancer.
Three to four FNA biopsies are typically performed during each half day clinic. Fellows learn to prepare specimens using both air dried and alcohol-fixed slides for standard cytologic examination, as well as for gene expression classification when indicated. First year fellows will attend a formal training course in addition to training sessions with faculty to hone skills in neck ultrasonogram & FNA techniques.