Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship

Core educational conferences are essential to our program; they include the following.

• Core Didactic Curriculum (Weekly): Weekly lectures cover all major endocrine topics, including physiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, therapy, genetics and molecular biology of endocrine disorders. Key endocrinology faculty and selected experts from other disciplines present these sessions. Assigned readings from primary literature accompany each lecture, and an annually updated comprehensive reading list is available electronically via Northwestern’s file-sharing service.
• Research Conference (Biweekly): The Endocrinology Seminar Series invites local regional and national experts to present recent research findings every other week.
• Clinical Case Conference (Biweekly): Fellows present recent cases from inpatient consultations and outpatient clinics. Additionally, a multidisciplinary high-risk thyroid cancer tumor board meets monthly, where fellows discuss cases and management strategies with Division of Endocrinology faculty.
• Endocrine Practicum Series (Select Weeks): Fellows participate in practical sessions on clinical endocrinology topics such as diabetes technology insulin pumps continuous glucose monitoring DXA interpretation and thyroid biopsy during selected weeks.
• Journal Club (Select Weeks): Research faculty lead critical reviews of current studies and teach essential skills for appraising scientific literature in designated weeks.
• Wellness Curriculum (Select Weeks): Seminars focused on personal and professional wellness for Endocrinology fellows are held during selected weeks.
• Health Equity Curriculum (Select Weeks): Fellows receive education on social determinants of health specific to endocrinology through active learning modules didactics and readings in designated weeks.
• Board Review Series (Monthly): Monthly interactive sessions provide comprehensive review for endocrine board examinations.
• Summer Boot Camp: A two-week intensive program each July features focused lectures on core endocrine emergencies and basic endocrine management skills.

All fellows are paired with a faculty research mentor early in the fellowship. Core mentors from the Endocrine Division and collaborating departments guide fellows on diverse clinical and basic research projects. Northwestern’s extensive research opportunities and collaborative environment are key strengths of our program. During the first two years, fellows dedicate time to clinical or laboratory research when not rotating on the inpatient endocrine consult service.

Our division includes innovative scientists leading cutting-edge research in metabolism and energetics. Notable projects include the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome study, a two-decade, multi-site initiative advancing understanding of maternal glycemia and maternal-fetal risks. Faculty are committed to patient-centric research, bridging bedside and bench science. Basic science laboratories focus on metabolism regulation by circadian rhythms, islet cell function and the genetics of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

NUPEDHA

Qualified fellows can extend their research in a third training year through the Northwestern University Program in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Hormone Action (NUPEDHA). Supported by a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NUPEDHA provides protected research time and comprehensive training. For over 30 years, NUPEDHA has supported trainees with excellent mentorship and career development resources. Find more information about NUPEDHA.

Our clinical training is based at:

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Northwestern Medical Group
• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

The two-year fellowship focuses on comprehensive clinical training. In the first year, fellows rotate through the inpatient endocrinology consult service, general endocrine clinic, VA outpatient endocrinology clinic and various subspecialty rotations. In the second year, fellows continue with the continuity outpatient clinic, subspecialty rotations, VA outpatient clinic and inpatient consultations.

Training includes specialized clinics in:

• Thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration
• Bone health
• Continuous glucose monitoring
• Pediatric endocrinology
• Diabetes in pregnancy
• Thyroid cancer
• Pituitary and adrenal disorders
• Lifestyle medicine and weight management
• Lipid disorders
• Female reproductive endocrinology
• Transgender medicine

• Ron T. Ackermann, MD, MPH
• Grazia Aleppo, MD
• Grant D. Barish, MD
• Joseph T. Bass, MD, PhD
• Lisa Beutler, MD, PhD
• Christina E. Boots, MD
• Mercedes Carnethon, PhD
• Kasey Coyne, MD
• Dina M. Elaraj, MD
• Allison J. Hahr, MD
• Wenyu Huang, MD, PhD
• Kristen L. Knutson, PhD
• Jelena Kravarusic, MD, PhD
• Robert F. Kushner, MD
• William L. Lowe, Jr., MD
• Clara Bien Peek, PhD
• Cord Sturgeon, MD
• Emily D. Szmuilowicz, MD
• Margaret Urbanek, PhD
• Amisha Wallia, MD
• Jeffrey Weiss, PhD

Education & Training

Fellowships are offered to MDs who have completed at least two years of postgraduate training in internal medicine in an ACGME-accredited program.

Board & Licensure

All applicants are expected to:

• Be board-eligible in internal medicine when beginning the fellowship
• Have completed the requisite predoctoral medical education, meet the postdoctoral training requirements and demonstrate clinical competence in the care of patients
• Have passed USMLE steps 1, 2 and 3 (as required for training)
• Be eligible for an unrestricted Illinois medical license

Citizenship & Residency

The NIH T32 Training Grant that supports most fellows during the research years requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. Therefore, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for positions on the T32 training grant and for a third year of fellowship.

• J-1 Visa Holders will be considered only for the two-year clinical track
• H-1B visas will not be considered. 

The Division of Endocrinology participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We do not accept any paper applications. For more information about ERAS, consult the ERAS website. In addition to ERAS, we also participate in the National Residency Match Program for applications. For more information, including deadlines, visit the National Resident Matching Program site.

We have committed to conducting all applicant interviews virtually for the 2024-25 recruitment cycle, consistent with the recommendations of the Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

Estefania Abasolo Lopez, MD
MD: Pontificia Universidad
Residency: University of Wisconsin

Andrew Boutsicaris, MD
MD: Ohio State University
Residency: Loyola University

Kristen Lee, MD
MD: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Carolina Mendes Pessoa, MD
MD: Centro Universitário do Estado do Pará
Residency: University of Connecticut