Ochsner Clinic Foundation Program

The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Program at Ochsner Medical Center has a mission focused on educating fellows in a clinically robust environment. The program emphasizes a solid educational framework supported by extensive clinical and procedural experiences. It encompasses a diverse training setting that includes a tertiary care center, specialized clinics, and advanced training in neck ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration, and DXA readings. The fellowship is designed as a two-year program, fully preparing participants for a comprehensive practice in endocrinology, supported by strong faculty engagement in both clinical and didactic teaching. Upon completion, fellows are eligible to take the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) subspecialty examination in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship is structured to provide extensive clinical training through both inpatient and outpatient experiences. The first year consists of intensive training in clinical endocrinology, interspersed with participation in research and educational conferences. Fellows can expect to have significant interaction with patients who have a wide array of endocrine disorders such as thyroid abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndromes.

Training Sites and Clinical Experience

The majority of clinical training occurs at the main Ochsner Medical Center campus. Inpatient rotations typically last around three months, during which fellows engage in consultations and work closely with attending faculty to evaluate and manage patients’ endocrine health. Concurrently, outpatient rotations allow fellows to conduct longitudinal clinics, wherein they assume primary responsibility for patient evaluations and management plans under faculty supervision. These experiences prepare fellows for independent practice while fostering a comprehensive understanding of endocrinology.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are expected to engage in research and are required to complete a peer-reviewed publication prior to finishing the fellowship. During the first year, designated times are allocated for independent study and research proposal development. Faculty support and mentoring are provided to help fellows pursue their specific research interests related to endocrinology.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Ochsner's fellowship incorporates a variety of subspecialty clinics, offering fellows exposure to diverse patient populations and complex cases. Clinics cover areas such as neuroendocrinology, PCOS, transgender health care, and a dedicated diabetes management clinic that includes insulin pump management. This diverse clinical exposure is crucial for fellows' professional development, allowing them to work across a range of multidisciplinary teams.

Educational Conferences and Didactics

Throughout the fellowship, fellows participate in numerous educational conferences, including case presentations, literature reviews, and discussions led by visiting experts from the field. Monthly journal clubs foster critical analysis of recent literature. These structured didactic sessions provide valuable insights and promote a culture of learning and inquiry among fellows.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

This fellowship program requires applicants to have completed three years of training in Internal Medicine and possess board certification by the start of the fellowship. The program is known to be highly competitive, welcoming applications from DO and IMG candidates. Fellows are selected based on their clinical experience, research interests, and compatibility with the program's ethos.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs), including J-1 and H-1B visa types. This support allows qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to pursue their medical training at Ochsner Medical Center.

Fellow Testimonials

Current fellows express high levels of satisfaction regarding the clinical experiences at Ochsner, noting the diverse patient cases and supportive academic environment. Many fellows appreciate the unique cultural experience offered by New Orleans, enhancing their overall training experience while providing a vibrant community to live in during their fellowship.

Stipend and Benefits

Fellows receive a competitive stipend along with benefits, which include vacation time, health insurance, and additional resources to support their professional development throughout the fellowship program.