Fellowships
Endocrinology and metabolism
Mission
The Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU offers in-depth clinical training in all aspects of pediatric endocrinology and metabolism. Excellent opportunities are available for research in clinical, translational and basic science disciplines. The program offers two tracks: a conventional pathway for those interested in a well-rounded educational experience and a separate track that also leads to completion of the master’s degree in public health with expertise in epidemiology.
Broad-based clinical exposure
The fellowship program at CHoR is the only pediatric endocrine fellowship training program in Central Virginia, which has a diverse population of 1.5 million. We provided more than 6,600 outpatient visits in 2010 and care to more than 200 inpatient admission or consults.
Comprehensive, interdisciplinary faculty
Faculty members have diverse training backgrounds and a variety of clinical and research interests. They include five board-certified or board-eligible pediatric endocrinologists, one internal medicine endocrinologist, one RD-CDE, one RN-diabetes educator, one child psychologist and one geneticist/molecular biologist.
Strong collaborations
The programs are highly integrated with the internal medicine adult endocrinology fellowship program and with research programs from the departments of Human and Molecular Genetics, Psychology, Epidemiology and Community Health, Health and Human Performance and Pathology.
Successful research
VCU is one of the top research institutions in the U.S. and the university’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research received a $20 million Center for Translational Research Award from the National Institutes of Health in 2011.
One-on-one mentoring
The program accepts only one fellow annually (total of three trainees), which allows fellows to select the faculty mentor of their choice.
Scholastic oversight committee
In order to ensure successful academic productivity, an oversight committee is designed specifically for each fellow to provide guidance and oversight from study design to completion and publication.
Broad-based academic program
The program hosts regularly scheduled conferences that are designed to review the field of pediatric endocrinology in depth as well as interdisciplinary conferences with internal medicine endocrinology and surgical oncology.
Unique opportunities
American Diabetes Association recognition
The diabetes education program at CHoR holds official ADA recognition. Fellows have the opportunity to participate in a multidisciplinary program dedicated to excellence in diabetes self-management education, quality improvement and community outreach/education.
Thyroid ultrasound
The program offers extensive training in thyroid ultrasound using equipment dedicated to the division.
Transdisciplinary adolescent weight management program
The T.E.E.N.S. program involves faculty and students from nutrition, exercise physiology, psychology, medicine, pediatrics, surgery and nursing.
Endocrine University and Endocrine Fellows Foundation
All fellows are expected to participate in the Endocrine University sponsored by the Mayo Clinic and the Endocrine Fellows Foundation.
Travel and career placement
Travel to national meetings is expected along with career mentoring and initial faculty placement.
Two-track program
The program offers two tracks: a conventional pathway for those interested in a well-rounded educational experience and a separate track which also leads to completion of the Master’s Degree in Public Health with expertise in epidemiology.
How to apply
The pediatric endocrinology fellowship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This fellowship program participates in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please submit your fellowship application by March 1, 2012 for positions starting July 1, 2013.
Application to the fellowship program is highly competitive. Persons who wish to apply should be board eligible or board certified in pediatrics. Applications from women and minorities are encouraged.
Important dates
July 1, 2011 – Candidates begin applying through ERAS
March 1, 2012 – Program deadline for completed applications
December-January, 2012 – Applications are reviewed
Jan. 19-April 1, 2012 – Invitations for interviews are sent
January-April, 2012 – Interview cycle
April 11, 2012 – NRMP rank order list opens
May 16, 2012 –NRMP rank order list closes (9 p.m. est.)
May 30, 2012 – Match Day
Please visit the ERAS website to submit applications.
View university policy on the selection and recruitment of residents and fellows. 
Interested applicants should contact Jennifer Nelson-Dowdy or Gary Francis, M.D., Ph.D., CDE, if there are any further questions.
View fellowship program information such as contract and benefits, policies, housing opportunities, salary scale and required information on the VCU Graduate Medical Education website.
Contact information
Fellowship director
Gary Francis, M.D., Ph.D., CDE
Professor and chief
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
1001 East Marshall Street
P.O. Box 980140
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0140
Email: glfrancis@vcu.edu
Department fellowship coordinator
Jennifer Nelson-Dowdy
Pediatric fellowship program coordinator sr.
Department of Pediatrics
Children’s Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Room 2007
1001 East Marshall Street
P.O. Box 980646
Richmond, VA 23298-0646
Phone: (804) 628-2616
Fax: (04) 828-6815
Email: jnelsondowdy@vcu.edu
