Overview

Section Chief’s Welcome

Welcome to the Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at The University of Chicago. We are proud of our accomplishments and as you will see from our website, we are serious concerning our 3-fold mission: (1) to provide excellence in patient care; (2) to perform cutting-edge basic, clinical and translational research in endocrine diseases, diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and hypertension; and (3) to provide outstanding educational opportunities for medical students, housestaff and fellows. Many of our research programs provide training in basic and clinical investigation for visiting scientists from around the world and there are special summer programs for college students.

Our unique combination of adult and pediatric subspecialists poises us to be at the forefront for discovery and treatment of endocrine disorders that span a lifetime from birth to old age. Many of the diseases we treat and investigate begin in childhood and transition through adulthood requiring physicians and scientists with knowledge of these conditions to interact.

The uniqueness of The University of Chicago both geographically and philosophically allows for cross-fertilization by scientists in biological, physical and social sciences to address the most pressing problems in society today as they relate to endocrine disorders. A former faculty member, Charles B, Huggins (Nobel Prize winner for the role of hormones and cancer) best summed it up when he said, “Discovery is our business.” Indeed we are pleased that we have the resources to allow for investigation and translation of those discoveries to improve the health of society at the bedside and in the greater community.

We use the latest therapies to treat diabetes, thyroid diseases, obesity, bone disease including osteoporosis, polycystic ovary disease, endocrine cancers and hypertension.  Our section has maintained a position of prominence by virtue of the quality of faculty and their ability to remain at the forefront of new developments.

We invite you to learn more about the patient care, research and educational goals of our dedicated faculty in the Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

About the Section

The Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is consistently recognized as one of the finest endocrinology centers in the U.S. The University of Chicago’s endocrinology program has a reputation for progressive therapies and leading-edge research.

Research Accomplishments

The Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is a national leader in research leading to the development of new insights in the treatment of endocrine diseases and disorders. Work in the areas of diabetes, thyroid and sleep disorders has been greatly advanced by The University of Chicago endocrinology faculty. Our research activities are supported by a number of different sources including the National Institute of Health (NIH) and non-federal granting agencies. The Section is home to one of 16 NIH funded Diabetes Research and Training Centers. Over the years, several members of the Endocrine faculty have led investigations that resulted in significant discoveries in the areas of diabetes, thyroid and sleep disorders.

The Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology faculty is internationally recognized for their leading-edge clinical care and progressive therapies. The University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center (Louis Philipson, MD, Ph.D.-Director)  combines the University’s traditions of excellence in clinical care, basic and clinical research, and education in diabetes and metabolic disorders. The Center’s goals include improving patient care and developing new treatments and cures through research into the molecular and genetic bases for types I and II diabetes and the role of obesity.

Education and Training

The multi-faceted academic program offered by the Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism includes education for medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. Education within the Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism consists of instruction at all levels of participation–outpatient clinics, inpatient areas, and laboratories with active student participation.

At The University of Chicago, the Adult Endocrine Fellowship training program and the Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship training program are committed to training young physicians for careers which emphasize endocrine investigation in children, adolescents and adults. The goals of this transitional program have been to provide physician-scientists with an integrated training in basic and clinical endocrine research in order to prepare them for academic research careers.

Patient Care

The Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism offers outpatient and inpatient diagnostic and treatment programs, and an endocrine hormone assay laboratory that performs a range of tests not available elsewhere. The Adult Endocrinology Consultation Service provides expert evaluation and management of hospitalized patients with endocrine disorders. Special clinical programs are available for patients with overactive thyroid, thyroid growths, pituitary tumors, abnormalities of water metabolism, hirsutism, and weight control problems.