Tower Health Program

Program Overview

The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at Tower Health is dedicated to training academic and clinical leaders in pediatric endocrinology with a focus on evidence-based practices and exceptional scholarly work. The fellowship comprises three years of comprehensive training, with the first year primarily emphasizing clinical expertise in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. Mentorship in research and the development of research projects begin in the first year, while the subsequent years are largely devoted to research-related activities.

Educational Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to ensure that by the conclusion of the fellowship, participants possess substantial knowledge in endocrine physiology, various conditions associated with endocrine dysfunctions, and medical research principles. 1 Key educational goals encompass:

• Understanding of endocrine physiology elements, especially hormone synthesis and action mechanisms.
• Grasping normal and abnormal development of the genitalia and puberty-related disorders.
• Management of common endocrine disorders, from thyroid issues to diabetes and metabolic syndromes.
• Research methods and statistics.

Training Structure

The fellowship spans across three primary years:

First Year

The first year focuses on acquiring foundational knowledge in endocrinology through patient exposure and didactic lectures. Fellows will participate in journal clubs and provide lectures for colleagues.1

Second Year

The second year allows fellows to refine their clinical skills and take on more supervisory responsibilities, while actively engaging in their research project development.1

Third Year

By the third year, fellows are expected to manage comprehensive patient care and complete their research projects to submit findings to peer-reviewed journals.1

Clinical Rotations

The clinical responsibilities throughout the fellowship are extensive, including rotations split between inpatient and outpatient care. In the first year, fellows will engage in 8 months of clinical rotations (inclusive of shared vacation time) and 4 months dedicated to research. Subsequent years offer a mix of clinical and research rotations, with a gradual reduction in clinical duties but an increase in autonomous management of patient care.1

Research Activities

Research is a critical component, with structured guidance in project selection and execution from mentors within the program. Fellows are expected to attend a formal course in research methodologies.1

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The application process is competitive, favoring candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in pediatrics or equivalent training.1

Visa Support

The program supports J-1 visas and may consider H-1B visa applications for well-qualified international medical graduates.1

Special Application Requirements

All candidates must comply with Pennsylvania laws requiring completion of all three USMLE Steps, and any foreign medical graduates must have an ECFMG certificate. A maximum of one failed USMLE Step is permissible.1

Unique Aspects of the Program

Notable unique features of the fellowship include access to diverse patient populations, the mentorship model ensuring close interaction with leaders in the field, and integration with Drexel University College of Medicine providing a rich educational atmosphere.1

Training Sites

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children acts as the primary training site, providing a rich experience in clinical practice across various pediatric specialties.1