Fellowship Program | Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition

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The OHSU Endocrinology Fellowship Program prepares individuals for rewarding careers in endocrinology and metabolism. Graduates of this program will be trained and fully equipped to function as clinical endocrinologists, clinical educators, or clinician scientists, depending on their individual career goals.

Our trainees are fully integrated into all aspects of our academically diverse Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition allowing for one-on-one working relationships between fellows and supervising faculty.  The OHSU-VA Endocrinology Fellowship Training Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Program highlights

Mission

The joint Endocrinology Fellowship Training Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the Veterans Administration Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves to prepare individuals for rewarding careers in endocrinology and metabolism.

The two main training sites (OHSU and VAPORHCS) provide an ideal mix of patients and clinical settings to permit unparalleled breadth of both inpatient and outpatient experiences. We strive to provide this training in a diverse, inclusive, collegial educational environment where trainee well-being and professional development are among our utmost priorities.

Graduates of this program will be trained and fully equipped to function as clinical endocrinologists, clinical educators, or clinical scientists, depending on their individual career goals.

Program aims

  • To learn basic and advanced endocrine biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology, that provide the basis for understanding endocrine disease.
  • To accumulate a critical mass of fundamental information and practical approaches for the diagnosis and management of endocrine disorders.
  • To acquire the technical and practical skills that are required by a consultant in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.
  • To acquire clinical skills in a progressive fashion and with increasing responsibility appropriate for a consultant in endocrinology and metabolism.
  • To acquire knowledge and skills necessary for providing cost-effective, ethical and humanistic care of patients with diabetes and disorders of endocrinology and metabolism.
  • To acquire knowledge and skills necessary for critical analysis of the endocrine literature.
  • To acquire skills in design and performance of hypothesis-driven endocrine research, and to participate in such research or equivalent scholarly activity.

Our academic faculty staff endocrinologists serve as teachers and mentors. Their various backgrounds result in an exceptional depth and breadth of clinical expertise. Our trainees are fully integrated into all aspects of our academically diverse Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition allowing for one-on-one working relationships between fellows and supervising faculty.

There are two fellows in each year of training. Generally, each academic year includes four months of inpatient clinical endocrine consultation and eight months of outpatient experience with research and independent study time. 

The fellows serve as leaders of the endocrine team, which consists of the fellow, internal medicine residents and medical students, with attending supervision. Clinical training is carried out at both the OHSU Medical Center and at the adjacent Veteran's Administration Medical Center.

2023-24 OHSU Endocrinology Fellows

First Year (Level 4) Fellows

Samah Abu Omar

Samah Abu Omar, MD
Residency: MedStar Health-Baltimore

Jacob Lloyd

Jacob Lloyd, MD
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Mercy

Second Year (Level 5) Fellows

Ashley Harris, DO

Ashley Harris, DO
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center

Aleksandra Sliwinska

Aleksandra Sliwinska, MD
Residency: Szpital J Dietla & University of Connecticut

The fellowship experience can be modified based on the trainee's career goals with responsibilities in both clinical and research fields.

Research training opportunities at OHSU include:

  • Time and financial support to complete advanced degrees in the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute
  • Participation in human investigational studies in the NIH-funded Clinical Research Unit
  • Acquisition of skills in clinical, basic, translational, or health care delivery and outcomes research
  • Access to workshops on preparing research manuscripts, protocols, delivering effective scientific presentations

Outpatient experience takes place in half-day continuity outpatient clinics in general endocrinology and various subspecialties. All fellows participate in at least one continuity clinic over the course of their training. 

Our trainees hone their skills as educators by active engagement in formal and informal didactic activities targeted at all levels of medical training.

Additionally, all fellows participate in a variety of conferences, including a weekly core curriculum didactic series, city-wide clinical case series and journal club.

Our training program provides a supportive environment in which fellows assume graduated levels of independence in caring for patients.

Our patients come to us from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds, with a broad range of endocrine disorders, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Pituitary disease
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Bone and mineral disorders
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Adrenal disease
  • Endocrine neoplasia
  • Reproductive disorders
  • Clinical malnutrition

Fellows will acquire the technical and procedural skills necessary to enable them to provide complete clinical patient care services, including:

  • Thyroid ultrasound and biopsy
  • Insulin pump management
  • Continuous glucose monitoring
  • Interpretation of bone densitometry
  • Radioiodine scanning and therapy

Throughout the training experience, ethical and compassionate behavior and cultural competency are emphasized, as is the impact of socioeconomic factors on health care delivery, so that our graduates are fully prepared to negotiate the increasingly challenging practice environment.

Upon completion of our training program, all fellows will be fully competent to provide expert clinical care for individuals with endocrine and metabolic disorders, and/or to pursue investigative careers in clinical, translational or basic research.

Application process

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program

Applications are carefully reviewed upon receipt of all requested materials, and selected applicants are invited to interview.

All incoming fellows are required to have passed USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 prior to the start of their training program. Fellows will not be allowed to start their training program without successful completion of this exam

The following documents are required from each applicant via ERAS:

  • Completed application via ERAS
  • Applicant must be legally able to work in the U.S., or eligible to obtain work authorization
  • Letter of evaluation from the program director of your residency training program
  • Letters of evaluation from at least two physicians or medical scientists who have knowledge of your abilities and performance
  • Curriculum vitae or list of professional teaching and/or research experiences (if applicable)

Fellowship Interviews for the academic year 2024 – 2025 will be conducted virtually. We implemented virtual interviews during the recruitment season for academic year 2021 – 2022.   OHSU is committed to recruitment practices that are equitable and are in alignment with responsible stewardship of resources and reduce negative impacts on the global environment.  

We foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our learners, faculty and staff.  We use holistic and methodical approach during our recruitment process.

Virtual Interviews are held on Fridays and begin at 8am with our weekly Clinical Case Conference, followed by a series of interviews with faculty and current fellows. Interviews conclude at 12:30pm.

Interview Dates:
September 2025 (dates coming soon)

OHSU provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. It does not discriminate on any status protected by law. This policy applies to all employment, education, volunteer, and patient care related activities or in any other aspect of OHSU's operation. Retaliation for reporting discrimination is prohibited.

To make an inquiry or report an incident of discrimination, contact OHSU's Office of Civil Rights Investigations and Compliance at 503-494-5148ocic@ohsu.edu.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") protects individuals from discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex or gender in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal aid. OHSU, as a recipient of federal funds, complies with Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 by prohibiting sex and gender discrimination and harassment, which includes sexual misconduct and sexual violence, in education programs, activities, employment, and admissions.

Inquiries about Title IX compliance or sex/gender discrimination and harassment may be directed to the OHSU Title IX coordinator at titleix@ohsu.edu.

Inquiries may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education, Western Region Office for Civil Rights at 206-607-1600, ocr.seattle@ed.gov.