8076 Advancing Career Development of Physician-Scientists Engaged in Diabetes Research: Insights into the National K12 DiabDocs Program

Abstract

Background: In July 2022 the NIH established a multi-center National K12 “Diabetes-Docs: Physician-Scientist Career Development Program” (DiabDocs) to support mentored research experiences and tailored career development training for cohorts of physician scientists focused on diabetes research. DiabDocs scholars are board-certified or board-eligible physicians with training in pediatric or adult endocrinology or in another area tied to diabetes research and care. The program addresses the shortage of physicians engaged in diabetes research and is open to scholars at any eligible institution in the United States. Methods: The DiabDocs program was implemented by two multi-center Program Directors (MPD), in collaboration with an Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) comprised of experienced basic science and clinical/translational physician-scientists. Additional faculty from 19 different institutions have engaged in advisory and reviewer roles. The program solicits Letters of Intent (LOIs) annually from interested candidates followed by invitations for full applications; a program retreat features educational workshops and diversity training; and a Study Section selects Scholars. Currently, the program is in its third recruitment cycle for additional scholars to start Summer 2024. Additional career development programming is available through a series of interactive webinars. The program also has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including a “DiabDiversity” program to support in-person engagement in DiabDocs experiences by under-represented in medicine trainees. Results: After two successful recruitment cycles in 2022-2023 that reviewed 24 LOIs, 11 scholars were selected. The funded scholars (6 Adult and 5 Pediatric Endocrinologists) include 3 individuals self-identifying as underrepresented in medicine and 7 females. For the 2023 application cycle, 24 LOIs were received (11 from Adult and 9 from Pediatric Endocrinology, 2 in combined Pediatric/Adult Endocrinology, and 2 from other specialties). Conclusions: The DiabDocs program aims to identify, recruit, and support outstanding early career physician scientists. The program provides a national network with resources for protected research time, career development programs, and national mentorship to develop cohorts of skilled professionals contributing to the advancement of diabetes research.