Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Education in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is committed to the education and training of outstanding endocrinology and diabetes specialists to serve the people of central Pennsylvania and the broader U.S. and world population. Endocrinology faculty are involved in teaching medical students, residents and fellows. Our ACGME-accredited Endocrinology Fellowship Program provides fellows with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to develop clinical expertise in endocrinology and diabetes, and to excel in a career in endocrinology. Our graduates have gone on to careers as NIH-funded physician-scientists and clinician-educators in academic medicine and as leading clinical endocrinologists.

Highlights of the education and training experience in our division:

• Medical students, residents and fellows receive excellent clinical training in a broad spectrum of endocrine diseases and diabetes through:
  • Rotations in outpatient endocrinology clinics and the Inpatient Endocrinology Consult Service
  • Weekly Endocrinology Grand Rounds and case conferences
  • Thyroid cancer and pituitary conferences
  • Annual Penn State Diabetes Symposium
• Endocrinology fellows participate in rotations in:
  • Thyroid ultrasound and biopsy
  • Nuclear medicine including bone densitometry
  • Endocrine surgery
  • Genetics
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
  • High-risk pregnancy
• Opportunities to gain research experience with NIH-funded faculty

Research in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

The division is committed to the pursuit of research, leading-edge technology and innovation, and breakthrough scientific discoveries that advance the treatment and prevention of diabetes and all endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Division faculty lead NIH-funded clinical trials and clinical research focused on diabetes. Faculty researchers have received funding from the NIH, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for the ongoing Decreasing Stress in Diabetes (DE-STRESS) clinical trial. The DE-STRESS study is a 5-year randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus Stress Management Education (SME) on glycemic control and other key outcomes in adults with diabetes. Faculty have also received NIH funding to test the efficacy of an alert clinical decision support (CDS) tool to improve inpatient glucose control and outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Faculty are engaged in additional basic science, clinical and translational research in diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, women’s health, parathyroid disease, metabolic bone disease and a variety of other endocrine and metabolic diseases. The division provides medical students, residents and fellows with many opportunities to gain research experience. The division also provides trainees with access to resources such as the expertise and dedicated mentorship of experienced NIH-funded faculty.

For further information about endocrinology and diabetes research, contact Dr. Nazia Raja-Khan at nrajakhan@pennstatehealth@psu.edu.

Clinical Care in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

The division is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art clinical care to all people affected by diabetes and endocrine diseases. Penn State endocrinologists offer expert diagnosis and treatment in diabetes, thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, parathyroid disease, adrenal disease, pituitary disease, gonadal disease and other complex endocrine diseases. Physicians collaborate with surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and geneticists in the treatment and management of endocrine tumors, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary tumors, and multiple endocrine neoplasia and other inherited endocrinopathies. Physicians in the division have special expertise in diabetes technology, thyroid and parathyroid disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Penn State endocrinologists work with leading-edge technology and treatments for diabetes, including the most advanced insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. The team of endocrinologists, advanced practice providers, dietitians, diabetes educators and other specialists provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for diabetes. The division also offers diabetes education and support programs.

In addition, physicians provide the option for telemedicine or in-person appointments. This allows patients to choose what is preferable and most convenient for them.