Children’s Mercy Hospital Program

The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at Children's Mercy Hospital is a comprehensive three-year program accredited by the ACGME. This program is strategically designed to train pediatricians in the clinical aspects of endocrinology and diabetes, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that balances service, science, and personal satisfaction.

Program Highlights

As one of the most prominent training programs in the nation, the fellowship currently accommodates seven fellows. The program is notably characterized by:

• Two significant research initiatives focusing on diabetes and gender differences.
• Hosting the annual Great Plains Endocrinology Symposium.
• Collaboration with the only Pediatric Genome Center in the United States.
• Formal training in Continuous Quality and Performance Improvement.
• Grant writing courses aimed at enhancing research funding skills.
• A remarkable pass rate of 100% for the Pediatric Endocrinology Certifying Exam.

Children’s Mercy’s diabetes program is among the largest in the U.S., managing about 1,600 diabetic patients, supported by a team of 18 pediatric endocrinologists with diverse clinical and research interests. In addition to exposure to a wide range of endocrinological disorders, fellows actively participate in multidisciplinary clinics for:

• Turner Syndrome
• Thyroid nodules
• Disorders of sexual development
• Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
• Bone and calcium disorders
• 22Q deletions
• Endocrine conditions in pediatric cancer survivors
• Pediatric transgender care

Curriculum Overview

The academic curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive training through weekly educational sessions that apply active learning techniques over 11 blocks throughout 18 months. These sessions address various aspects of endocrine physiology and pathophysiology, alongside clinical reasoning activities at Children's Mercy's regional outreach sites. The curriculum is structured as follows:

First Year

• 3 months dedicated to research
• 4 half-days per week in outpatient clinics
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 1 week of Continuing Medical Education (CME) leave

Second Year

• 6 months of research
• 2 half-days per week in outpatient clinics
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 1 week of CME leave
• Elective in Clinical Genetics
• Continuous Quality and Performance Improvement Course

Third Year

• 6 months of research
• 3 half-days per week in outpatient clinics
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 1 week of CME leave
• Rotation in Adult Endocrinology
• Board review month

Research Opportunities

The fellowship emphasizes the development of future endocrine scientists through diverse opportunities in clinical, basic science, and translational research. This multifaceted approach equips fellows with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead innovative research projects. Past fellows have contributed to a variety of publications, showcasing the program's commitment to academic excellence in pediatric endocrinology.

Salaries and Benefits

The fellowship offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. For the academic year 2024-2025, the salaries for fellows are as follows:

• PGY 4: $78,540.80
• PGY 5: $79,539.20
• PGY 6: $81,203.20
• PGY 7: $84,468.80
• PGY 8: $86,590.40

In addition to salaries, fellows receive various benefits, including:

• $1,500 yearly educational stipend for resources like books and travel
• $2,250 professional stipend for presenting scholarly activities
• Health and dental insurance coverage with no premiums
• $800 annual Lifestyle Spending Account
• Hospital-issued technology (Laptop/iPad)
• Free parking
• 20 days of vacation
• Paid sick time
• Access to clinical and research librarians, statisticians, and scientific writers
• Tuition allowance of $5,250 per year for continued education
• On-site fitness and wellness facilities

Application and Visa Sponsorship

Qualified applicants must complete an ACGME-accredited, three-year pediatric residency program and obtain certification in general pediatrics to continue in the fellowship. Furthermore, all candidates are required to have passed Step 3 before ranking. For international applicants, Children's Mercy primarily supports J-1 Visa status. This requires sponsorship by the ECFMG and maintaining valid ECFMG certification throughout training. Occasionally, an H-1B Visa may also be sponsored. Provisions for changing immigration status during the fellowship must be approached with prior authorization from the GME Department.

The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at Children's Mercy Hospital stands out due to its dual emphasis on training and research, with a structured curriculum and numerous clinical opportunities, reinforced by a supportive, collegial environment.