Sabitha Sasidharan Pillai, MD
I am a second-year pediatric endocrinology fellow at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Brown University in Providence, RI. My time is split between clinical work and research.
During my pediatric residency in Kerala, India, I became interested in pediatric diabetes care and obesity. Later, when I joined as a faculty at Government Medical College, Calicut, my professor Dr. Lulu Mathews encouraged me to start the pediatric endocrinology clinic. Along with a senior faculty member, I began a pediatric endocrinology clinic. As the clinic grew, I also began a pediatric obesity program. These clinical experiences with pediatric diabetes and other endocrinological disorders further intensified my interest in the field. Before I moved to the United States, I was an associate professor at Government Medical College, Calicut, and I look forward to continuing on an academic career track after my training.
My path into pediatric endocrinology has been influenced by many mentors and advisors. Dr. A. Riaz, a brilliant clinician and academician, influenced me during my medical school days and was the reason I chose pediatrics for my residency. When I was a pediatric resident, my professors, Dr. Lulu Mathews, and Dr. A. V. Gopalan along with Dr A. Riaz further amplified my interest in the subject. My current mentors, Dr. Lisa Swartz Topor and Dr. Meghan Fredette are excellent teachers, great clinicians, and brilliant academicians. Dr. Topor, especially, has provided me with valuable guidance and emotional support. I am also inspired by the other attendings, Dr. Quintos, the division chief and Dr. Serrano, a meticulous clinician. I am constantly learning from all of the faculty members.
Currently, my primary research interests are in congenital hyperinsulinism and pediatric type 2 diabetes. I am also interested in adrenal disorders, disorders of growth, bone metabolism, lipid metabolism, and obesity. During fellowship, I have the opportunity to collaborate with pediatric endocrinologists across the US to characterize national trends in pediatric type 2 diabetes since the onset on the COVID-19 pandemic.