About the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Program
Welcome to the website for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Training Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). We are extremely proud of our fellows, the faculty, and the program’s comprehensive and innovative curriculum that span both VCU Health and the Central Virginia VA Medical Health Care System. The VCU medical campus features state-of-the-art clinical, research, educational, and simulation facilities. But, what makes the VCU training experience so rich and the learning climate optimal is the supportive, experienced faculty who are committed to teaching and the collegiality of the fellows. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about what VCU has to offer you educationally regarding an exciting career in the field of endocrinology.
Vision
Fellows in the VCU Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Training Program are members of an academic medical community that spans VCU Health and the Central Virginia VA Medical Health Care System in which there is a commitment to learning the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for the practice of endocrinology while providing the highest quality medical care to a diverse patient population.
Mission
- To train fellows to become compassionate physicians who are competent in the delivery of evidence-based, integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare for patients with both common and rare endocrine disorders, in the outpatient and inpatient settings
- To provide a depth and breadth of training that allows fellows to successfully pursue a variety of career options including academic medicine, private practice and industry
- To foster a collegial and supportive setting for intellectual growth that promotes lifelong learning in the dynamic field of endocrinology within the content of a rapidly changing healthcare environment
- To partner with our fellows in contributing to the science of medicine through mentorship, research opportunities and dissemination of information
Welcome
Program Director: Edmond Wickham, MD, MPH
Learn
Program Curriculum & Conferences
Curriculum
Program Goals & Objectives
The goal of the two-year fellowship program is to provide a robust and comprehensive educational experience, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The training program consists of a combination of clinical experience with a diverse patient population and a spectrum of endocrine disorders, didactic lectures, innovative simulation experiences and research that collectively prepares fellows to competently engage in the subspecialty practice of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and to pass the ABIM subspecialty board examination. It will also adequately prepare fellows for further training in preparation of entering academia, recognizing that a minimum of three years of fellowship training is usually required for a successful career in academic endocrinolgy; options for a third year of training are available for VCU fellows who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist or clinician-educator.
Typical Rotation Schedules
Typical 1st Year Rotation Schedule | Location | Length |
VCU Consults | VCUHS | 4-5 blocks |
VA Clinical | VAMC | 4 blocks |
Outpatient Specialty Clinics | VCUHS/VAMC | 2-3 blocks |
Academic/Research | VCUHS/VAMC | 3 blocks |
Typical 2nd Year Rotation Schedule | Location | Length |
VCU Consults | VCUHS | 2 blocks |
VA Clinical | VAMC | 3 blocks |
Pediatric Endocrinology | VCUHS | 1 block |
Outpatient Specialty Clinics | VCUHS/VAMC | 3 blocks |
Academic/Research | VCUHS/VAMC | 3 blocks |
Elective | VCUHS | 1 block |
Rotation Descriptions
VCU Consults (VCUHS)
Fellows, with close faculty supervision, lead the multidisciplinary Endocrinology Inpatient Consult Service, providing consultative services for hospitalized patients with endocrine conditions including diabetes mellitus. Daily rounds with faculty include dedicated didactic teaching sessions.
VA Clinical (VA Medical Center)
Fellows participate in specialty clinics in the morning, including dedicated clinics for patients with lipid disorders, metabolic bone disease and diabetes mellitus. Clinic sessions are followed by interactive post-clinic teaching conferences. In the afternoons, fellows round with faculty on the VA Inpatient Endocrine Consult Service.
Outpatient Speciality Clinics
Fellows rotate through a variety of specialty clinics at VCUHealth and the VA Medical Center including clinics dedicated to the management of nodular thyroid disease, endocrine oncology, obesity medicine, transgender medicine, gestational diabetes, and reproductive endocrinology.
Academic/Research
All fellows engage in a clinical or basic science research project, under the close supervision of the research mentor. The research mentor will be identified by the fellow within the first four months of training. Fellows are expected to develop an in-depth expertise in the selected research area, and to present their research findings at a national scientific meeting as well as at the divisional Endocrine Grand Rounds series. Fellows are provided protected time during their training to fully engage in their research project.
Pediatric Endocrinology
During the second year of training, fellows rotate through a pediatric endocrine elective which consist of participating in outpatient pediatric endocrinology clinics, in addition to maintaining their continuity clinic. Fellows are expected to develop a presentation on a pediatric endocrine topic to present at a Wednesday conference during this rotation.
Procedures
All fellows will be trained in the performance and interpretation of thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid gland, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as well as the clinical management of patients with diabetes mellitus on insulin pump and/or continuous glucose monitor therapy.
Diabetes Immersion
Each academic year, fellows participate in an innovative simulation experience to provide in-depth education regarding diabetes self-management and enhance provider empathy for patients living with diabetes mellitus. Following a series of interactive didactic sessions on diabetes self-management skills, first-year fellows have the opportunity to wear an insulin pump (with saline) and are asked to monitor glucose levels, count carbs, and administer boluses using the pump for three days. Second-year fellows are invited to wear a continuous glucose monitor and inject “insulin” (saline) via syringes as if they were on multiple daily injections. Afterwards, fellows are asked to write a reflection on the experience and attend a follow-up session to discuss the experience.
Research and Scholarship
See Scholarship Section.
Conferences
Post VA Lipid Clinic Conference
Mondays at noon (fellows at VA only)
Post VA Endo Clinic Conference
Tuesdays at noon (fellows at VA only)
Endocrine Didactic Conference
Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Endocrine Grand Rounds Series
Wednesday 12:30-1:30 PM
(Fellows are expected to present ~ 2 times per year)
Endocrine Tumor Board
Wednesday afternoons from 5:30-6:00 PM
Endocrine Board Review
Thursday morning from 7:30-8:30 AM once a month
Endocrinology Skills Session
Thursday evening from 5:00-6:00 PM once a month
Scholarship
Our recent publications, presentations and abstracts
Pablo Bedoya, MD
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Bedoya, P., Nestler, J. Type B Insulin Resistance Resulting in Hyperthecosis in a Postmenopausal Woman. Journal of Endocrine Society. May 2019.
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Bedoya, P., Adler, R., Chong, A., Gill, R. Opioid Induced Pituitary Dysfunction. Journal of Endocrine Society. March 2019.
- Bedoya, P., Wickham, E. Abdominal Goiter: Ectopic Thyroid Tissue in the Liver. Poster Presentation. Journal of Endocrine Society. March 2019.
Brinda Manchireddy, MBBS
- Manchireddy B, Negron Marte MG, Adler RA. Osteoporosis in men. In: Cusano NE, ed. Osteoporosis: A Clinical Casebook. New York, NY: Springer; 83-90.
Beatriz Martinez Quintero, MD
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Martinez Quintero B, Doe KK, Bunker B, Chow W, Yavuz S. Pituitary metastasis of small cell lung cancer: Two case reports. Journal of Clinical and Translational Endocrinology: Case Reports. 2021; 19.
- Patel S, Martinez Quintero B, Adler RA. Vitamin D Intoxication. In: Walker MD, ed. Hypercalcemia: Clinical Diagnosis and Management. Contemporary Endocrinology. Springer Nature: Switzerland; 2021:177-186.
Maria Gabriela Negron Marte, MD
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Negron Marte, Maria Gabriela , Celi Francesco S., “Gastrointestinal Disease and Levothyroxine Absorption”, A Case-Based Guide to Clinical Endocrinology, Springer, February 2022, pp 93-99, Published
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Negron Marte, MG. Hypoparathyroidism manifesting a decade after thyroidectomy. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Annual Meeting, May 2022. San Diego CA.
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Negron Marte MG, Celli FS. Gastrointestinal disease and levothyroxine absorption. In: Davies, TF, ed. A Case-based Guide to Clinical Endocrinology. 3rd Edition. Springer Nature: New York, NY; 2022: 93-100.
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Manchireddy B, Negron Marte MG, Adler RA. Osteoporosis in men. In: Cusano NE, ed. Osteoporosis: A Clinical Casebook. New York, NY: Springer; 2021:83-90.
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Negron Marte MG, Stamatouli A. Alpelisib-induced diabetic ketoacidosis. Poster presentations at Resident/Fellow Research Day, Virginia Commonwealth University. June 2021. Richmond VA
- Negron Marte, MG. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient on peritoneal dialysis. Diabetes and Hypertension Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Presentation, November 2020.
Linda Nguyen, MD
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Nguyen, L., Levy, J. A Debate of Metastasis Versus Multiple Primary Malignant Tumors: When A Lung Adenocarcinoma Stains Positive For Thyroglobulin And PAX-8. Poster Presentation American Thyroid Association. October 2018.
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Nguyen, L., Adler, R. Prediction of Atypical Femoral Fractures in Osteoporosis Patients Treated with Bisphosphonates or Denosumab: Does Single Energy Imaging Using the Hologic bone Densitometer Detect Early AFF? Poster Presentation. Virginia Geriatric Society. April 2019.
Faustina A. Lozada Orquera, MD
- Lozada, Faustina Alejandra, Talley, Paula, Wood, Jessica , Turner-Sotelo, Kelly , Le Trang, N. , Celi Francesco S., “Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 and Diabetes: a Single-Center Experience”, Endocrine Society conference, June 2022, Abstract, Accepted.
Sajal Patel, MD
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Patel, S. A case of fluconazole-induced peripheral precocious puberty in an eight year old male with autism, Poster Presentation, Pediatric Endocrine Society. April 2020. Fort Worth, TX.
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Patel S, Sweeney L. Maternal health in the transgender population. J Women’s Health. 2021;30(2):253-259.
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Patel S, Martinez Quintero B, Adler RA. Vitamin D Intoxication. In: Walker MD, ed. Hypercalcemia: Clinical Diagnosis and Management. Contemporary Endocrinology. Springer Nature; Switzerland; 2021:177-186.
Cesar Plazas-Guzman, MD
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Plazas-Guzman, C., Mayer, S. An Atypical Adult Presentation of Congenital Hypothyroidism. American Thyroid Association. October 2018.
Morgan Vargo, MD
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Vargo, M. Discordant Thyroid Function Tests Introduction. Oral Presentation. American Thyroid Association. October 2018.
Life During Fellowship
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship
The endocrinology program director, associate program directors, division chair, faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting the professional success and health of each of the program’s trainees.
Mentorship
Each endocrinology fellow selects two mentors from either VCU or the VA to guide their professional development during their training, one serving as a research mentor and the other as the fellow’s career mentor.
Fellows meet with their research mentor at least monthly (and more frequently during dedicated research rotations). This individual helps guide the trainee through each step of the research process including hypothesis generation, study design, grant proposal development, institutional review board (IRB) submissions, analysis, and result dissemination.
The fellow’s career mentor serves as a resource (in addition to the program director) for advice and guidance regarding a successful career in endocrinology, professional development, teaching skills, and work-life health.
Professional Development
The program covers the cost of membership dues to the Endocrine Society for trainees during their fellowship as well as the costs of attending one scientific meeting in the field of endocrinology each academic year.
Vacation Time
Each endocrinology fellow has three weeks of vacation per year. The time is generally taken as either one of the following:
- Three 7-day vacations
- One 7-day vacation and one 14-day vacation.
Night Coverage
Endocrinology fellows do not take any in-house call. At night, the fellows provide at-home call for urgent clinical care questions and consults. The fellows cover night call at both VCU and the VA Medical Center. On rare occasions, fellows come in for emergent consults, staffed with the on-call attending physician. Additionally, the attending physician provides back-up, supervision, and escalation for the fellow on-call. Fellows create their own call schedule which is approved by the program director.
Weekend Coverage
Fellows cover the VCU endocrinology inpatient consult service approximately one weekend each month. When on call over a weekend, the fellows collaborate with the supervising attending to provide daily care for new and existing consults. Fellows who are not on call do not have clinical responsibilities over the weekend.
GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCU Health are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)
All About VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA. People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all. Learn more about VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA!
Program Leadership
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship
Edmond Wickham, MD, MPH
Program Director
Edmond Wickham, MD, MPH
Program Director
Internal Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Email: edmond.wickham@vcuhealth.org
Diane Biskobing, MD
Interim Division Chair
Diane Biskobing, MD
Interim Division Chair
Internal Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Faculty
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship
- Robert Adler, MD - VAMC Section Chief of Endocrinology
- Diane Biskobing, MD - Interim Division Chair
- Sonja Fredrickson, MD
- Ranjodh S. Gill, MD
- Trang Le, MD
- Ritu Madan, MD
- Priyanka Majety, MD
- Stephanie B. Mayer, MD, MHSc
- Grace Prince, MD - Associate Program Director
- Angeliki M. Stamatouli, MD
- Mary Stevenson, MD
- Edmond P. Wickham III, MD MPH - Fellowship Program Director
- Cynthia Yazbeck, MD - VAMC Fellowship Site Director
- Franklin Zieve, MD
Fellows
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship
Class of 2025
Dinesh Poudyal, MBBS
Medical School: Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
Residency: University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Medical School: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic
Class of 2024
Sarasi Jayaratne, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical College
Medical School: Siddhartha Medical College
Residency: Saint Agnes Hospital
Class of 2023
Faustina Alejandra Lozada Orquera, MD
Medical School: Universidad Central del Ecuador Facultad de Ciencias Médicas
Residency: Bronxcare Health System
Varun Samji, MBBS
Medical School: Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences
Residency: Geisinger Medical Center
Alumni
Class of 2022
Maria Gabriela Negron Marte, MD
Medical School: Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud
Residency: Morristown Medical Center
Sajal Patel, MD - Combined Pediatric/ Endocrinology Fellow
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Missouri
Class of 2021
Brinda Manchireddy, MBBS
Medical School: Mamata Medical College
Residency: Richmond Medical Center
Beatriz Martinez Quintero, MD
Medical School: Universidad de Carabobo Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Valencia
Residency: St. Agnes Healthcare Program
Class of 2020
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: Emory University
Morgan Lynn Vargo, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Class of 2019
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center
Cesar Plazas-Gusman, MD
Medical School: San Juan Bautista Escuela de Mediciina
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Class of 2018
Elizabeth Chacko, DO
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Texas Health Presbyterian
Pooja Rao, MD
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Residency: Hanover Regional Medical Center Program
Class of 2017
Susan Choe, DO
Medical School: Phildelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of South Alabama Hospitals
Alexander Millis, MD
Medical School: Penn State University College of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Class of 2016
Namitha Bhat, MBBS
Medical School: Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences
Residency: New York Medical College at Westchester
Lauren Bigoney, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina
Class of 2015
Susan Demarest, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Trang Le, MD
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Residency: Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University
Other Training: Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University
Jeffrey Taylor, MD
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Other Training: Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University
Other Alumni
Christie Razavi, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Robert Sealand, MD
Medical School: University of Tennessee Center for Health Science College of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Samantha Hudson, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Anita Prakash, MD
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Amita Kathuria, MD
Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine
Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine
Janelle Mahdi-Trammell, MD
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
Elizabeth Reilly, MD
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: George Washington University
Andrea Torres, MD
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Residency: Duke University
Apply
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants to this subspecialty training program must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine training program. VCUHS can only support J-1 visas.
How To Apply
The VCU Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism fellowship program is a participant in the NRMP match. All applications will be accepted through ERAS and follow ERAS deadlines.
Required Documentation
- Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- USMLE score reports
- Medical school transcripts
- MSPE
- A personal statement
- 4 letters of recommendation, including one from your program director dated after June 1st
- A photograph
If applicable, please provide the following:
- ECFMG certificate
- Medical School Diploma (with translation if necessary)
Interviews
Application Timeline
We will review applications from July 15 to August 31.
Interview dates for 2023 are: Select Wednesdays, beginning mid-August through October 2023
The Endocrine fellowship training program at VCU is a participant in the NRMP Match. All applications will be accepted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and follow ERAS deadlines.
Interview Day Information
Our interview day begins at 10:00 AM and ends around 3:30 PM. In addition to interviews with several faculty members, applicants will be provided with a detailed overview of the program, observe a didatic conference, take a virtual tour of VCU Health System facilities as well as the facilities at VA Medical Center, and meet with our current Endocrinology fellows.
Here you will find a sample itinerary for the Interview Day.
Attention: We anticipate conducting all Endocrinology Fellowship interviews virtually in 2023.
Contacts
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship
Program Director
Edmond Wickham, MD, MPH
Email: edmond.wickham@vcuhealth.org
Associate Program Directors
Grace Prince, MD
Email: grace.prince@vcuhealth.org
Cynthia Yazbeck, MD
Email: cynthia.yazbeck@va.gov
Fellowship Coordinator
Leslie Aitken, DEdMin
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 828-3510
Fax: (804) 828-4926
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org