The mission of the Phoenix city-wide Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism training program is to graduate physicians who are competent to independently practice Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism with a high degree of professionalism and humanism and who also possess sufficient research experience for successful entry into academia, industry or private practice.

General Description

This is a 2-year training program sponsored by  Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center  with an optional 3rd year for those interested in furthering their skills in biomedical research. The first year emphasizes the basic skills necessary for the practice of general endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism on rotations such as the VA consult service, Office Endocrinology, Pediatric Endocrinology. The second year provides exposure to more advanced skills and more specialized training in the fields of reproductive endocrinology, Neurosurgery as well as clinical and basic science research. By structuring the rotations for a certain level of trainee, we can provide progressive addition of responsibility and training in specific skills. An example of a typical schedule:

• Year 1 - VA Endocrine Consult Service (6 months), Good Samaritan Office Endocrinology (3 months), Phoenix Children's Pediatric Endocrinology (1 month), Barrow's Neurologic Institute Neurosurgery/Pituitary Rotation (2 months)
•  Year 2 - Basic and/or Clinical Research (9 months), elective (3 months)
•  Year 3 (optional) - Independent supervised research (12 months)

During the second year, fellows will complete a 9-month minimum research requirement with appropriate protected time either at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, NIH Phoenix branch, or with investigators who participate in the city-wide fellowship program or by arrangement with other investigators off-site. Current ongoing research is in the areas of:

• Genetics and epidemiology of diabetes in the PIMA Indian population
• Macrovascular complications of diabetes
•  Vascular biology
•  Lipoprotein metabolism
•  Epidemiology of Diabetes and Atherosclerosis in the VA
•  Insulin signaling
•  Health delivery systems to improve diabetes and its complications
•  Hypertension
•  PET imaging

With available funding, fellows may choose to expand their research skills during a third year of training during which they will perform independent supervised research. Third year fellows would be expected to design, prepare and conduct a research project. Manuscript(s) preparation for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is expected.