Photo credit: Inspire Health Medical Group
Almost half of the adults in Fresno County show signs of prediabetes, according to a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study. Recognizing the need to address endocrine disorders in the San Joaquin Valley, UCSF Fresno started a two-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship in 2023. Two years later, the first fellow in the program is graduating and is continuing to provide care for local patients.
“There is a critical need for more endocrine specialists in the area, not only for diabetes management but for all conditions managed by endocrinologists including thyroid disease, obesity management, along with bone, pituitary, adrenal, and reproductive disorders among many others,” said Shreela Mishra, MD, program director for the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship.
Mandeep K. Gill, DO, originally from Bellingham, Washington, is the first fellow to graduate from UCSF Fresno’s Endocrinology Fellowship. She is among the approximately 100 residents and fellows who are completing training at UCSF Fresno this year. After graduation, she is staying at UCSF Fresno to join the fellowship program’s faculty as part of Inspire Health Medical Group.
Dr. Gill is staying at UCSF Fresno because of the unmatched opportunity to work with multifaceted patient populations and the wide spectrum of pathology and health conditions encountered at UCSF Fresno’s clinical affiliate sites.
Fellows in the program currently train at the Veterans Administration Central California Healthcare System hospital in Fresno for inpatient and outpatient training, at Inspire Health Medical Group Endocrinology clinic, and at United Health Center’s ambulatory care clinic in Fresno.
The opportunity to train the up-and-coming generation of physicians is also a benefit.
“I look forward to deepening my clinical experience and working closely with medical students and residents,” she said. “I am especially excited to continue working and learning alongside my mentors.”
Dr. Mishra said the goal of the fellowship program is to train knowledgeable and compassionate endocrine specialists who will provide exceptional patient care for individuals with endocrine disorders.
“Our program provides a strong clinical training environment in a variety of clinical settings with dedicated faculty, and encourages scholarly activity for all our fellows, including quality improvement and clinical research projects,” said Dr. Mishra. “Fellows train in key endocrine procedures, including ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid, interpretation of continuous glucose monitoring data, and insulin pump management.”
Drs. Mishra and Gill agree. The diversity of learning environments provides a well-rounded perspective on how endocrinology is practiced across different health care systems.
This exposure enhances adaptability, understanding of different patients’ perspectives, and an appreciation for resource variation in patient care. Most importantly, it prepares the learner to independently and confidently practice in any given environment, said Dr. Gill.
The expert care provided by UCSF Fresno’s endocrinology specialists benefits local patients. Dr. Gill recalls a young patient with a recurrent, rare, and complex condition. In consultation with her attendings (faculty), Dr. Gill obtained additional diagnostic imaging for the patient, which led to the discovery of undetected tumors. Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, the patient was referred to a highly experienced surgeon who successfully performed an operation to remove tumors. After that, the patient did not need any form of hormone replacement afterward.
Prospective fellows may apply to the UCSF Fresno Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for the upcoming academic year. For the 2026-2027 Academic Year, the program will accept two PGY-4 fellows through the National Resident Matching Program. For more information, email [email protected]
