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The pediatric endocrinology fellowship program accepts one or two fellows into their program each year.

Application Information

Open Letter to Applicants

Dear Fellowship Applicants,

Congratulations on choosing Pediatric Endocrinology as a subspecialty! I hope you find what you are seeking as you embark on this next stage of your career journey. My name is Rebecca Schneider Aguirre and I recently finished my Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship here at IU School of Medicine (as well as IM Endocrinology fellowship, as I did a med/peds combined fellowship). I was invited to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you. The summary version is that I VERY HIGHLY recommend IU School of Medicine's Pediatric Endocrinology program at Riley Hospital for Children.

When I was looking for a fellowship program, I wanted a program that would have 1) a patient population consisting of “bread and butter” Endocrinology conditions as well as experience with the “zebras,” 2) faculty who are invested in teaching and guiding me to the next level, and 3) research opportunities. I can say that I have been very happy with my experience on all 3 counts. 

Riley Hospital is the primary children’s hospital in the state of Indiana. As such, it has a large catchment area allowing for a wide exposure to various endocrinopathies. You will become VERY well-versed here in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired thyroid disease, short stature, diabetes and other dysglycemias (steroid-induced/stress/medication-related hyperglycemia, etc.), Turner Syndrome, and many others. However, I and other fellows have also treated (and diagnosed) children with Cushing disease, MEN1, MEN2A, acromegaly, PTEN mutations, Floating Harbor Syndrome, non-iodine avid papillary thyroid cancer, pseudohypoaldosteronism (genetic and transient), pseudohypoparathyroidism, osteopetrosis, McCune-Albright Syndrome, neonatal diabetes, and others. You will get experience with positive and borderline newborn screens and learn what to do. The training here has armed me with the knowledge needed to treat pediatric endocrine conditions and, even more importantly, the ability to investigate further when I need more information. Furthermore, your patients are truly your patients, but faculty are always available to guide you as needed (including for between clinic issues). 

The faculty are interested in knowing the fellows and in helping each one to succeed. They come from a variety of backgrounds and thus you will learn variations of right ways to manage patients. Teaching happens informally one-on-one (or in small groups) as well as formal scheduled sessions. In addition to the Pediatric Endocrinology faculty, you also have access to the Internal Medicine endocrine faculty, who are also eager to help and teach. We have weekly joint research conferences, grand rounds, and bone conferences. Thus, you get different perspectives on endocrine problems through the ages. 

With respect to research, whether you have a well-defined project/subject area or whether you are still exploring your options, you will find something here. You have access to multiple research mentors from basic science to clinical investigation, including a wide variety of areas. Faculty will also often ask you to participate in a project, review article, book review, etc., and are available to help you develop research ideas. Internal Department of Pediatrics funding opportunities exist for fellows as well. (One of my projects was based off a patient experience and entirely funded by one of these fellows’ grants.) Some fellows, such as myself, have chosen to pursue a primary research-based faculty position.

Indianapolis is a great city with multiple fun neighborhoods in different parts of town that all have their own unique feel (downtown, suburbs, trendy, etc.). The cost of living here is very affordable, which makes it easier to sample the array of restaurants, professional sport teams, theaters, museums, and family-friendly activities as well… The list goes on! 

IU School of Medicine prepared me well for life after fellowship. Picking a program can be a difficult decision. If I could go back to the day I ranked programs, I wouldn't change a thing, as I feel that I had the resources and clinical experiences needed for my career goals and to be a well-rounded endocrinologist. I can also say that IU School of Medicine and Riley Hospital have become like a second family and I consider myself so fortunate to know and to have worked with this incredible group of faculty, fellows, and staff. I wish you luck with your journey! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Schneider Aguirre, MD, PhD

Instructor, Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine

Divisions of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (Texas Children’s Hospital) and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (Harris Health)
Baylor College of Medicine

Email

Application and Interview Process

The pediatric endocrinology fellowship only accepts applications through the ERAS system. The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program's fall pediatric subspecialty match. ERAS opens for applicant data in early June and Match Day is in mid-December. The program usually sends invitations to interview after it accesses applications in mid-July. Interviews occur between August and November.

This year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, ERAS and NRMP timelines have changed.

 

ERAS 2021 Timeline

 June 9, 2021  ERAS 2022 season begins at 9 am E.T.
 June 10, 2021  EFDO will release tokens to fellowship applicants.
 July 7, 2021  July cycle fellowship applicants may begin submitting applications to programs at 9 am E.T.
 July 21, 2021  July cycle fellowship programs may begin reviewing applications at 9 am E.T.

 

NRMP 2021 Timeline

September 22, 2021  Match Opens at 12 pm E.T.
 October 27, 2021  Ranking Opens at 12 pm E.T.
 November 17, 2021  Programs: Quota Change Deadline at 11:59 pm E.T.
 December 1, 2021  Rank Order List Certification Deadline at 9 pm E.T.
 December 15, 2021  Match Day at 12 pm E.T. 

 

Requirements

  • Pass USMLE or COMLEX Steps 1, 2, and 3 on the first attempt
  • Apply using ERAS
  • Priority given to applicants with strong research/academic potential
  • IU School of Medicine only sponsors J1 visas

 

Required Application Materials

  • Common Application Form (CAF)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Medical school transcripts
  • USMLE and/or COMLEX scores
  • Personal statement
  • Photo

 

Typical Interview Day

  • 8-9 am: Review program materials online at the applicant-only website
  • 9-9:25 am: Interview with Erica Eugster, MD, Division Chief, Associate Program Director
  • 9:30-9:55 am: Interview with John Fuqua, MD, Program Director
  • 10-10:25 am: Interview with pediatric endocrinology faculty member
  • 10:30-10:55 am: Interview with pediatric endocrinology faculty member
  • 11-11:25 am: Interview with pediatric endocrinology faculty member
  • 11:30 am-1 pm: Informal meet and greet with pediatric endocrinology fellows