FLARE: Lighting the Way for Minority Scientists
As principal investigator of the Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology (FLARE) program, I am honored to share my thoughts on The Endocrine Society’s newest endeavor to foster the development of the next generation of endocrine scientists. The FLARE program aims to provide research fellows and senior graduate students from underrepresented minority communities with necessary knowledge and skills to help them make the transition to independence and to have successful, rewarding careers in endocrine research. Underrepresented minorities in the biomedical sciences include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native Alaskan Eskimo or Inuit, and U.S. Pacific Islanders.
Through a structured series of activities, FLARE participants will gain leadership skills and knowledge from expert Society mentors, will participate in meaningful mentoring activities, and will learn how to excel within a professional society through a governance internship program.
FLARE was developed in response to a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) request for grant proposals from professional societies for programs promoting diversity. The Society received a five-year, $733,000 grant from NIDDK to support the program, which started in August 2012.
Leadership development training is key to sustained success in any field. The FLARE program will distinguish itself as a key resource for positive and fundamental development of underrepresented minority scientists. This program will be especially valuable to endocrinology because it will strengthen the pipeline of minority scientists who will impact the research and treatment of endocrine disorders that disproportionately affect underserved communities. Accomplishing these goals requires involvement from everyone. The application deadline for fellows is midNovember. Whether you are a trainee or a senior member, the success of this program depends on you. If you are interested in applying or in learning more about how you can become a part of FLARE, please visit us at www.endo-society.org/FLARE.
2012 Endocrine Trainee Class
The Endocrine Trainee Day Class of 2012 gathered in Houston on Friday, June 22, 2012, the day prior to the start of ENDO 2012. The Society hosted more than 210 graduate and medical students, postdoctoral, and clinical fellows interested in learning about careers in endocrinology, developing essential career skills, and connecting with expert faculty. The Endocrine Trainee Day is cosponsored by the Society’s Trainee and Career Development Core Committee and Women in Endocrinology. Participants included 150 Trainee Day travel award winners and 60 paid attendees.
Sawin Library Books Available for Loan
The Clark T. Sawin Memorial Library has more than 4,500 books in its collection, and many of them are available for loan as a free member benefit for Society members. Members may also schedule a time to visit the library to explore our collection of rare and historical texts from the founders of endocrinology. Learn more about the Sawin Library and search the library’s online catalogue by visiting www.endo-society.org/about/sawin or to request that one of our thousands of books be sent by mail, contact the Endocrine Society’s librarian at [email protected].
Thyroid Nodules: Targeted Education to Improve Patient Care
Thyroid cancer is generally a curable illness if detected and effectively managed. The recommended evaluation of thyroid nodules involves clinical examination, ultrasound, and other modalities. Research, however, suggests a high variability in practitioners’ care of thyroid patients.
To increase awareness of “best practices,” The Endocrine Society has released its first practice improvement module (PIM), The Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules PIM. PIMs are Web-based quality improvement tools that measure data and information from an individual practitioner or group practice against clinical performance measures. The thyroid-based PIM measures the national guidelines for thyroid nodule treatment developed by the American Thyroid Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
The module also provides a centralized list of resources and a measurement of practice change upon implementation of improvements.
For more information about this PIM and obtaining Maintenance of Certification credits for it, visit endoselfassessment.org.
Type 1 Transition of Care Resources Now Available
The Endocrine Society recognizes a significant need for better care coordination to ensure that pediatric and adult providers—and their patients—are fully prepared for transitions of care. Because every disease has a specific need in this regard, and especially those of a chronic and complex nature, the Society recently spearheaded an initiative to develop transition of care resources specific to type 1 diabetes. Developed by a working group comprising physician representatives from the Society, Hormone Health Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, Pediatric Endocrine Society, American College of Physicians, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, and American Association of Diabetes Educators, the resources include: 1. a patient self-assessment for diabetes concerns; 2. a recommended approach to planning for pediatric practices; 3. a welcome to the practice guide; 4. a patient skill set; 5. a visitor information form; 6. a clinical summary; 7. an approach to the adolescent transitioning to the adult practice; and 8. educational fact sheets on issues faced by emerging adults with type 1 diabetes.
To access copies of these resources, please go to www.endo-society. org/clinicalpractice/transition_of_ care.cfm. The Society plans to develop similar tools for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Turner syndrome, and growth hormone deficiency and will alert its members once these resources become available.
Society Weighs in on Pediatric Obesity
Two weeks before all the sugary treats from Halloween come trickling in, in mid-October, The Endocrine Society will broadcast a Webinar on pediatric obesity, tackling such topics as the health effects of high-fructose corn syrup and diet soft drinks. See www.endo-society.org/media/ index.cfm for more details.
In Memoriam
William Thomas Griffin, M.D.
Columbia, Missouri
1932–2012
Richard P. Levy, M.D.
Quechee, Vermont
d. 2012
Charles Robert Meloni, M.D.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1927–2012
Hilton A. Salhanick, M.D., Ph.D.
Brookline, Massachusetts
1924–2012
James Claris Wright, Jr., M.D.
Indianapolis, Indiana
1930–2012
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