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Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes + Metabolism

Our team continues to pioneer breakthroughs in treatments and providing personalized care.
Anastassios Pittas, MD, MS, endocrinologist and Co-Director of the Diabetes Center at Tufts Medical Center consults with patient in clinic appointment.
A continued tradition of excellence

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Tufts Medical Center takes pride in its legacy of innovation and exceptional patient care. Our goals are to understand the basis of endocrine diseases, develop more effective treatments and provide the highest standards of care to improve the lives of patients with endocrine disorders. We are committed to passing on our knowledge and expertise to generations of future physicians through our Fellowship Program.

Our physicians collaborate closely with primary care physicians and other specialty services, such as surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, radiology, nuclear medicine, nutrition, and podiatry. This collaboration ensures the coordinated diagnosis and management of complex endocrine diseases, such as:

  • Pituitary and hypothalamus diseases
  • Adrenal disease
  • Islet cell tumors
  • Diabetes
  • Lipid disorders
  • Thyroid disease, including thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules
  • Osteoporosis and other bone diseases
  • Hyperparathyroidism and other calcium disorders
  • Obesity

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Division history

We are proud of the history of our division and are dedicated to upholding the excellence of our fellowship program and clinical expertise.

1940s

The Division has a distinguished history dating to the 1940s when Dr. Edwin B. Astwood became the first Chief of the Division.  During his tenure, numerous advances were made, including the introduction of anti-thyroid drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, the use of thyroid hormone therapy for the treatment of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, the isolation and preparation of ACTH for clinical use (means what), and the purification of human growth hormone, allowing the first breakthrough treatment for pituitary dwarfism.

1972

In 1972, Dr. Seymour Reichlin, a world-renowned leader in the field of Neuroendocrinology and disorders of the thyroid gland, became Chief of the Division.  Included in the many outstanding achievements during his tenure was the development of the first radioimmunoassay for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), elucidation of the sequences of pre-prosomatostatin and pre-prothyrotropin-releasing hormone, identification of the origin of the hypothalamic tubero-infundibular system, studies on the mechanisms of somatostatin and prolactin secretion, demonstration of the importance of the immune system in neuroendocrine regulation, as well as important human studies on the evaluation and treatment of hyperprolactinemia and early diagnosis and treatment of patients with MEN II syndrome.  With the construction of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging on the downtown campus of Tufts University (next to Tufts Medical Center), the Endocrinology Division was strengthened further in the areas of lipid metabolism, calcium metabolism and obesity.   

1990

In 1990, Dr. A.E. Boyd, III, who trained under Dr. Reichlin, was recruited to become Chief of the Division and brought expertise in diabetes and molecular biology. What followed was a period of rapid growth for the Division, as Dr. Boyd merged the Division of Molecular Medicine with the Division of Endocrinology to create the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. The Division moved to a newly renovated 15,000 sq. ft research facility adjacent to the hospital to accommodate the increased faculty size and requirements for more research space. Dr. Boyd led the division until his passing in 1995.

 

1995

Since Dr. Boyd's untimely passing in 1995, Dr. Ronald M. Lechan, a faculty member since 1981 and a Reichlin trainee, became Chief of the Division. During Dr. Lechan’s tenure, programs in hypothalamic and pituitary disease and adrenal neoplasia were established, enabling the hospital to be designated as a Clinical Center for Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma by the Pheo-Para Alliance and providing exceptional training in a wide variety of neuroendocrine disorders. He also expanded outreach programs for community clinical care by establishing satellite centers for patients with endocrine disorders in Quincy (Tufts Medical Center at Quincy Specialty Center) and Norfolk (Tufts Medical Center at Norfolk Specialty Center). Dr. Lechan also established and nurtured the Friedman Fellowship Program in Diabetes and Metabolism, supported by the Dr. Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman New York Foundation for Medical Research. This program was an extension of the Division’s mission to provide the highest standards of care to patients with endocrine disorders, to understand the basis of endocrine physiology and endocrine diseases through research, and to use this knowledge to improve the lives of patients by developing more effective and selective medical treatments for endocrine and metabolic disease. Accomplishments of “Friedman Fellows” at Tufts Medical Center were recognized in over 200 publications and by establishing satellite symposia linked to international meetings of the American Diabetes Association and American Society for Nutrition. Dr. Lechan also served as the Fellowship Program Director from 1995-2022. 
 

2020

On December 15, 2020, Dr. Anastassios G. Pittas, a faculty member since 2000 and the inaugural "Friedman Fellow" (2000 to 2002) became Chief of the Division. He assumed the role of Fellowship Program Director at the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.  

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Department research

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Tufts MC has strong research programs in bone metabolism, diabetes, neuroendocrinology, obesity and adipocyte function. 

Our 2020 research highlights include: 

  • Support derived from 13 NIH grants, 2 grants from the USDA, 2 grants from Boston Heart Diagnostics, 2 grants from the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, 1 grant from the Department of Defense, 1 grant from the Italian Ministry of Research, 3 grants from the European Union and a variety of industry and institutional grants. Three new grants were awarded to division members this year. 
  • Publication of 48 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and reviews 

Our division is also very proud to coordinate a national study focused on the impact of vitamin D on diabetes.

Endocrinology, Diabetes + Metabolism research

booklet

Training + education

The goal of the subspecialty training program in Endocrinology within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Tufts MC is to equip fellows with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience to successfully work as independent consultants in endocrinology.

Fellows receive training in a nurturing environment of belonging that allows them to plan and develop their careers in alignment with established and emerging approaches, including digital care while emphasizing thoughtfulness, forward-thinking, and imagination toward high-quality, high-value, and patient-centered care that celebrates individuality. This program is designed for fellows whose focus will be clinical practice, those who wish to become clinician-educators and those who want to pursue careers in clinical and basic endocrine research, including careers in the industry. 

The program has four fellows each year to ensure close interaction among the fellows and faculty and enhance the educational experience. There are 2 first-year fellows and 2 second-year fellows. Occasionally, a fellow may have elected an educational pathway that includes additional years of training in research (third or fourth year). 

Endocrinology Fellowship Program

Our leadership

people

Our leadership team gives us the guidance and support we need to ensure that the clinical, research and training goals of the department are met.

  • Division Chief: Anastassios G. Pittas, MD, MS
  • Fellowship Program Director: Anastassios G. Pittas, MD, MS
  • Fellowship Associate Program Director: Feyza Erenler, MD
  • Endocrinology Clinic and Metabolic Bone Disease Director: Lisa Ceglia, MD, MS
  • Thyroid Disease Program Director: Jacqueline Kung, MD
  • Neuroendocrinology and Endocrine Neoplasia Directors: Ronald M. Lechan, MD, PhD and Feyza Erenler, MD
  • Glycemia Consult Service Directors: Jeffrey Vercollone, MD, MS and Rachel Lehouillier FNP-C
  • Fracture Liaison Service Directors: Lisa Ceglia, MD, MS and Alexandra Cornwall, FNP-C
  • Clinical Pharmacy in Endocrinology Program: John Aurora, PharmD
Anastassios Pittas, MD, MS, endocrinologist and Co-Director of the Diabetes Center at Tufts Medical Center consults with patient in clinic appointment.
Our locations

From regular office visits to inpatient stays, our specialists across Tufts Medicine offer the best in healthcare, when and where our patients need it.

Patient working with endocrinologist, Richard Siegel, MD in the Weight and Wellness Center.
Our doctors + care team

Our specialists and care team members across Tufts Medicine deliver unmatched healthcare with a personalized touch.

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