Endocrinology

I would like to welcome you to the Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity Medicine webpage.  We are a proud and productive section within the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences. My name is Jon Oden, Professor of Pediatrics and have served as the Chief of this Section since 2015. As a group of academically-minded clinicians, we are excited to share the diverse details of our section, which is growing and will undoubtedly expand as we move forward in the coming years. We are an active and innovative group of people who are leading the way in clinical, educational, and research activities for the state of Arkansas.

We all have a keen and varied interest in education and research. We are a high-volume center and are constantly working to improve our practice through research and collaborations with other major centers in the country. We have been awarded the Innovation in Education Grant to study the effects of game play and knowledge retention, with the intent on developing a game that will do just that.

The  Section of Endocrinology practices out of the West Little Rock Campus.  Within this clinic area, we hold several different clinic options focused on patient care and tailor made for their family’s concerns and needs. These include, General Endocrine Clinic, Diabetes Clinic, and the Center for Obesity and its Consequences in Health program (weight management).  In addition, we have several multidisciplinary clinics that collaborate with other pediatric subspecialties including the InStepp (disorders of sexual development), Metabolic Bone Disease, Thyroid Nodule and Malignancy, and Hypertension Clinics. We also participate in the PATHWAY clinic, which is our approach to transgender youth. This program functions out of the Adolescent Clinic on Arkansas Children’s main campus.

As the only Pediatric Endocrinology division in the state, our Endocrine Clinic receives referrals from across Arkansas as well as neighboring states. We work closely with the Newborn Screening program to meet the needs of our patients early and efficiently. Our diabetes program is ADA Certified and is backed by a multidisciplinary team of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, dietitians, social workers, and nurse practitioners. We have an array of patient-oriented education classes, which are offered both in person and one-on-one. We are in the process of gaining access to TrialNet for Type 1 Diabetes screening and are interested in the future prospect of immunomodulation to prevent or delay the development of this autoimmune disease.

The C.O.A.C.H (Center for Obesity and its Consequences in Health) program is our answer to the rapidly growing concern locally and nationally, regarding obesity in children and associated co-morbidities.   C.O.A.C.H is a family-center, multidisciplinary program led by our medical providers who lean on the expertise of our obesity medicine-certified dietitian and physical therapist.  Lifestyle modifications are the mainstay approach that we take but also realize that there are fundamental physiologic changes that occur with obesity and often require management with medications and/or bariatric surgery.

In summary, we are a close-knit group of medical providers who understand the application and benefits of cutting-edge medicine.  We take pride in and are humbled by the fact that we are the only Pediatric Endocrinology center in the only Children’s Hospital in the state. We strive for excellence in our patient care and always look towards improvement through research and innovation.

As I was once told, just prior to joining this group, Little Rock is one of the hidden gems of American culture.  It is a fantastic place to live and raise a family.  I encourage you to find out more and apply for a position to join us!

Sincerely,

Jon Oden, M.D.
James H. Hamlen II Endowed Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology
Chief of Endocrinology
Professor of Pediatrics