The Section on Endocrinology and Metabolism is dedicated to clinical care, the education of endocrinology fellows and internal medicine housestaff, and research on diabetes and obesity. The Section is one of the largest Endocrinology referral practices in the region. Education has traditionally been a strength of the section with an active fellowship program to train new endocrinologists. Drs Patrick Ober (Associate Dean for Education) and Cynthia Burns are devoted to the education and training of new physicians.

The Section has a long tradition of research focused on diabetes and diabetes complications with the studies of John Crouse, and has been involved in the National Institutes of Health investigation “Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD)” which is examining ways to prevent heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  Dr. Steven Elbein recently assumed the role of Section Head with a research focus on the genetic causes for the predisposition to type 2 diabetes and role of obesity and adipose tissue in increasing diabetes risk in humans. Other clinical members of the Section with interests in management and etiology of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance include Jorge Calles-Escandon and Kristen Hairston. Basic scientists within the Section are also focused on the causes of type 2 diabetes and include Bingzhong Xue and Swapan Das. Current and planned research activities in the Section span the spectrum from basic bench studies in cells and animals to clinical trials.

Clinical care is a major focus of the section with both active in-patient consult services and daily outpatient clinics that serve all major endocrine diseases. Dr. Larry Cantley is focused on the Section’s clinical mission. Each clinical member of the Section maintains a clinic with special emphases on type 1 and type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, and thyroid disorders. In addition to comprehensive endocrinology, the Section offers Diabetes Education with outreach to primary care physicians and the community, as well as referral for difficult diabetic patients.