Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr Vivian Fonseca

Vivian A. Fonseca, MD, FRCP
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research
Chief, Section of Endocrinology & Metabolism

Our mission is to provide high quality patient care and consult patient services for patients with a wide range of endocrine related problems. We achieve this mission through quality patient care, innovative clinical and basic research and nationally recognized medical education.

My colleagues and I are dedicated endocrinologists providing clinical services at Tulane University Hospital & Clinic, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. Our clinics at all three institutions have been recognized by organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, which has given recognition for the quality of our physician providers as well as our patient education programs. We have demonstrated dedication to our basic mission of providing quality care for diverse populations at all three hospitals and clinics.

Our educational mission is highlighted by our fellowship training program which has graduated numerous fellows who have gone on to join leading physicians at other universities and in private practice. A highlight of the program is our annual Diabetes/Endocrinology Update which has been a popular and successful program for several years. In addition, our faculty members have served as visiting professors and speakers at several national universities and conferences including those of the American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American College of Physicians, and many others.

We have strong translational and clinical research programs. Our cutting edge basic and translational diabetes research program focuses on improving islet functional mass in diabetes and finding novel ways to prevent diabetes and obesity in a gender-specific manner. These programs are funded by the American Diabetes Association, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the pharmaceutical industry. We are conducting several major national and international trials including some funded by the NIH. Our clinical trials have resulted in several publications in leading medical journals. In our research programs, we endeavor to find innovative ways to treat and cure common endocrine conditions that would improve the quality of life for people with endocrine disorders. We have active collaborations with several other departments and sections at Tulane University School of Medicine and the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I hope you will take this opportunity to acquaint yourself with the remainder of our website and get to know us better.