Program Directors’ Corner 

Giving Thanks

David C. Lieb, MD, FACE, FACP
Program Director, Endocrinology Fellowship Program
Eastern Virginia Medical School

When people talk about 2020 years from now I’m sure it will bring up terrible memories and thoughts of hardship and grief. The COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and our contentious election for the presidency have all captured our attention and our hearts. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that there are parts of 2020 that I hope to forget. I am, however, also thankful. I am thankful for what I’ve learned about myself and about others during these very trying times. I have found a strength and sense of community among my fellow endocrinologists and our endocrine community that I sensed was there before but perhaps never felt in such a palpable, real, practical way. I believe that we all survive, grow, develop and thrive through the relationships we have with others, and this has never been more true than it is now. And I am appreciative for all that I have learned.

I am thankful for my endocrine patients – many of whom typically drive over two hours so that we can discuss their blood glucose values or their last thyroglobulin – many crossing one or more bodies of water – to spend 20 minutes with me. Many of these individuals were thrilled to meet with me virtually over the last six months – and to give me virtual tours of their homes. I met family that I had never met, but had heard their stories. And I am thankful for all of my patients who are essential workers, many of whom have multiple risk factors should they become ill with COVID. I think of them each day as I put on my own mask, clip my insulin pump to my belt, and enter the hospital.

I am thankful for our fellows here at EVMS, and nation- and worldwide. Our four fellows here are all international medical graduates. They often aren’t able to see their families for years at a time, and have relied on Skype and Facebook Messenger to introduce new children and significant others, and at times to grieve and to say goodbye. Until this year I have never in my life been in a situation where I could not get in my car and drive a short distance, or hop on a plane, and see my own family within the day. I am appreciative for all of the sacrifices our fellows make, day in and day out in caring for their patients, for their families and for us – their teachers. Endocrine fellows are always the frontline and that has never been more true than this year. Many of our fellows that had to unexpectedly discontinue their training and become intensivists and hospitalists. For this I will be forever grateful.

I am thankful for all of you, and for APDEM. I feel we accomplished so much through our COVID Task Force – from helping PDs prepare for our difficult virtual interview season, to developing shared didactics and guidance for clinical care to providing advice to programs preparing to enter a more severe stage of the pandemic at their institution. While I gained so much from our Zoom calls and emails – what I appreciated most was the sense of togetherness. I was not alone.  I had all of you to lean on, to vent to, and to learn from. I cannot thank you enough for that strong sense of community and belonging when so much of those feelings have been taken away from us by the pandemic. And I am so proud that APDEM has a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. I am thankful for all I have learned from the many, diverse voices on the committee, and know that I will continue to learn from everyone in the future.  Perhaps most important I now feel that I can begin to enact real change to ensure diversity and equity for our patients, our endocrine providers and teachers, and my community. I am learning ways to instruct our fellows and my fellow endocrinologists in issues involving health equity, and also determining how best to ensure continued diversity in our fellowship and faculty.

It’s been a difficult, terrible year. I am hopeful that 2021 will be better. But I know that I am part of a strong, caring, thoughtful endocrine community that will help me through the tough times ahead. And for that I am very thankful.

David C. Lieb, MD, FACE, FACP is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Program Director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.  Dr. Lieb serves as Chair of the APDEM Newsletter Committee.