Vanderbilt Endocrinology: Our Program
The Vanderbilt Adult Endocrine Clinical Fellowship Training Program has been in existence since 1956 and its graduates have gone on to productive careers in academic research, teaching, and patient care. Over a 30-year period, 75% of M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. trainees have gone on to academic, industry, or government careers. Despite our age, our program consistently re-evaluates how our fellows are trained and looks for ways to continuously provide the best endocrine training in a collegial and stimulating academic environment.
Personalized Training Program
Our fellowship is focused on providing an excellent clinical foundation for all fellows. We recognize that within the field of endocrinology, future career goals vary. As a result, we have tailored the second and possible third years of fellowship to the needs and interests of each individual fellow. Toward the end of the first year, each fellow will meet with program leadership to come up with their second-year curriculum, which is designed align with the future goals the fellow has developed through discussion with their mentoring committee.
Mentoring Committee
In the first year, each fellow assembles a mentoring committee consisting of her/his, continuity clinic director, the fellowship program manager, possibly a research advisor, and 1 or 2 other faculty members within or outside the division whose career may be similar to what the fellows envisions for her/himself. This committee meets at least yearly to assure the career goals of the fellows are being met regarding clinical training, research training, grant proposals, and the job application process.
Grant Applications
Research fellows are expected to apply for individual grant support. Previous fellows have been awarded individual fellowship awards (NRSA) and career-development (K08) grants from the NIH, VA career-development grants, Endocrine Fellows Foundation (EFF) grants, and others. Learning the grant application process with the help of an experienced mentor is very important for the career development of academic physicians. Engaging in this process early in the trainee’s fellowship helps establish a track record of success as fellows begin their transitions to independent academic careers.
National Meeting Participation
Endocrine fellows are expected to attend and prepare a poster presentation at a National Meeting. Commonly our fellows present at the annual Endocrine Society Meeting and many have won poster awards and have been selected to give an oral presentation. The division supports attendance at this conference. This is an excellent opportunity for trainees to share their work, develop clinical and research ideas, and to network, and promote their career development.