As February gets underway, Endocrine News is taking this opportunity to commemorate Black History Month with a roundtable that features some of the Endocrine Society’s outstanding Black members who have made remarkable contributions to not only the Society, but to the field of endocrinology (“Lift Every Voice”). These five members were very generous with their time as they spoke with writer Glenda Fauntleroy Shaw about their biggest challenges, why they chose this fascinating field in the first place, how the Society has helped further their own careers, as well as any advice they would give young Black endocrinologists just entering the field.
Estelle M. Everett, MD, MHS, assistant professor-in-residence in the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif., states how the Endocrine Society has been instrumental in her professional development via the myriad opportunities for networking, collaboration, and mentorship. “My participation in the FLARE program was particularly transformative, providing the support and infrastructure necessary for my success while establishing the Society as my academic home,” she says. “The Society’s dedication to supporting early-career investigators has been especially impactful. I have greatly benefited from its programs, resources, and the mentorship of its many members, who have generously shared their expertise and guidance to help me grow both personally and professionally.”
In October, the Endocrine Society published “Exogenous Opioids and the Human Endocrine System: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement,” that reviews data related to the use and misuse of opioids and the effects of these drugs on the endocrine system. The Statement discusses recent research on the clinical consequences of opioids, especially on the hypothalamic-pituitary system and bone health. In “High Time,” Senior Editor Derek Bagley spoke to the chair of the committee that authored the statement, Niki Karavitaki, MSc, PhD, FRCP, of the University of Birmingham, Birmingham Health Partners, and the University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust in Birmingham, U.K. “Endocrinologists should be aware how these drugs can impact the endocrine system,” Karavitaki says. “This will facilitate their involvement in the optimal holistic care of patients on opioids along with the specialists prescribing opioids or the specialists looking after people who misuse opioids or have been diagnosed with opioid use disorder.”
We take a look at the Endocrine Society’s Medical School Engagement Program (MSEP) as part of this month’s Early-Career Corner. In “Going with the Flow,” Sacha Uelman, RD, CDE, the Society’s director of professional and clinical affairs, catches up with some of the colleges and universities around the country who have been participating in this program. When MSEP was launched last year, the goal was to increase the flow of endocrinologists into the workforce. Loaded with photos from the various events, the individual program directors fill us in on what sort of activities they’ve been using to heighten the awareness of endocrinology as a specialty to hundreds of medical students. Success can be measured in many ways but judging from the engagement and shear joy on the faces of the participants and instructors alike, the future of endocrinology is indeed bright!
As usual, if you have any thoughts, questions, or comments about this month’s issue, or any suggestions for story ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: [email protected]. Also, if you’re working on a presentation for ENDO 2025 in San Francisco in July or have had exciting new research published, we’d love to hear about it!
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