Training Program

Graduate Courses
In accordance with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG)'s subspecialty requirements, two graduate school courses are taken during the Research Rotation:

1. The statistics course Introduction to Statistical Methods (CRP241 in the Clinical Research Training Program) is given by the Division of Biometry and Medical Informatics. A faculty member in the Department of Medicine teaches this course simultaneously for Duke and the NIH in an electronic classroom. It meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm so it has minimum interference with the fellow’s research schedule.
   
   While fellows with advanced degrees can petition the board to have their course requirements waived, they are advised to take the statistics course, unless a substantial amount of statistics was included in their graduate program.
   
   
2. The second required course is at the fellow’s discretion and need not be specifically within traditional "endocrinology" or "reproductive physiology" but must have some relevance to the general area of reproductive biology. Most fellows have elected to take Cellular and Molecular Basis of Reproduction (CBI212). The course provides an in-depth analysis of cellular and molecular aspects of regulation, spermatogenesis and fertilization, oogenesis and oocyte maturation, cell cycle; cell cycle related to IVF, follicle development; gonadotropin structure/function, steroid and gonadotropin receptor regulation. Areas in which other courses have been taken include immunology, molecular genetics, neurobiology, and cell biology.

Pediatric and Medical Endocrinology Conferences
Because of the nature of the patients and the organization of Pediatric Endocrinology, the Reproductive Endocrine Division holds quarterly joint conferences with Pediatric Endocrinology to discuss clinical cases of mutual interest, i.e., pubertal problems, sexual ambiguity, etc. Historically, this has proven to be the most efficient use of the fellows' time. It has clearly widened the spectrum of endocrine disorders to which our fellows are exposed (thyroid, adrenal, growth hormones, panhypopituitarism, diabetes, etc.) without an undue commitment of time. 

Fellows participate in a Summer endocrine lecture series, which provides a review of medical and pediatric endocrine topics both clinical and basic. The lectures are given by faculty from all the endocrinology divisions (Medicine, Pediatrics and RE&F) which are designed to give a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the discipline of endocrinology, including the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, bone metabolism, gonadal (both ovary and testis), pancreas, pituitary and central nervous system. This allows review of some of the same conditions from several points of view during the transition from pediatric to adult endocrinology. It further affords a more comprehensive learning experience than episodic attendance at specialty clinics as well as repetitive exposure for all 3 years of our fellowship.

In addition, selected faculty in both Pediatric Endocrinology and the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition present didactic conferences to the division throughout the year. Fellows also participate in research and clinical activities with Dr. Thomas Weber, an andrologist. This facilitates the teaching efforts of each division as each has their own fellowship. These efforts, coupled with the spectrum of endocrine patients seen in the faculty's clinics, provide an adequate exposure to these subsets of endocrine patients.

Conferences and Seminars

• Weekly divisional conference -- discuss clinical and research subjects.
• Departmental clinical care conference -- given in rotation by the division
• Departmental journal club -- the division has responsibility on a rotational basis.
• Didactic course in RE&F -- on alternate years, the division presents a comprehensive year long course for the OB/GYN residents, which serves as a general review for the fellows, as well.
• Endocrine Research Conference – Friday mornings
• Endocrine Grand Rounds – Tuesday 5:00 pm

Adjunctive Faculty
In addition to RE&F faculty, there are several other individuals who are active participants in our division’s activities.

Clinical Sciences

Basic Science