The Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism has an ongoing commitment to teaching, service and research. The Division of Endocrinology has two board certified endocrinologists and one research M.D., Ph.D. The clinical efforts occur at two hospitals, the Quillen VA Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center as well as at ETSU Physicians practice. Residents and students may see inpatients at both hospitals during their elective rotations. Residents make endocrine consultations under the supervision of an attending endocrinologist. They also attend endocrine clinics at the VA Medical Center and ETSU Physicians and Associates. Residents may get the chance to see patients with endocrine issues in the private sector as well.
A clinic devoted to the care of diabetic patients has been established at the VA Medical Center where residents learn the most recent concepts of clinical diabetic care. Endocrine issues in veterans are addressed in a separate clinic at Mountain Home VAMC. Endocrine conferences for residents and students occur at Mountain Home VAMC and discuss a broad range of clinical endocrinology topics on a regular basis.
Mentorship in clinical research involving Vitamin D and a wide range of endocrinology topics has been available with trainees. The endocrine division has had excellent results from such collaborative efforts with students and residents. Multiple abstracts and posters at regional and national conferences as well peer reviewed publications have resulted in the past few years from these activities. An area of strong grant-supported research in the endocrine division is study of toll-like receptors, inflammation, apoptosis and molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance.
The department is presently recruiting additional clinicians with the goal of establishing an endocrinology fellowship program.
Recent developments include an increase in the number of endocrine clinics at ETSU Physicians which has permitted the re-introduction of an endocrine elective for MS-IV ETSU students. A new initiative involving a dedicated research elective is also available for interested students and residents.