Dr. Eric D. Frontera

Dr. Richard Auchus is a professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes (MEND) and Chief of the Endocrinology & Metabolism Section at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. He received his medical degree and Ph.D. in pharmacology from Washington University in St. Louis. Then Dr. Auchus completed a residency at the University of Iowa and an endocrinology fellowship at UTHSC-San Antonio/Wilford Hall Medical Center. Dr. Auchus came to UMHS from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas, where he was a Professor of Internal Medicine - Endocrinology.Dr. Auchus is a steroid biologist with expertise both in basic science and clinical/translational science. His work has included translational research into: molecular and genetic mechanisms of human hypertension, improved diagnostic studies and management in primary aldosteronism and Cushing syndromes, modifier genes in 21-hydroxylase deficiency, cardiovascular disease in polycystic ovary syndrome, and the endocrinology of traumatic brain injury. Dr. Auchus is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Intersex, Cushing's syndrome, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Orchiectomy.

Dr. Else’s primary appointment is with the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes. He received his MD degree from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He pursued his clinical training at the University of Hamburg (Residency: Internal Medicine) and the University of Michigan (Residency: Internal Medicine, Fellowship: Endocrinology). His main research interests are the genetics of endocrine tumors. Dr. Else’s clinical practice focuses on the care for patients with benign and malignant endocrine tumors, particularly pheochromocytoma, adrenocortical tumors and neuroendocrine tumors as well as accompanying hormone excess syndromes (e.g Cushing syndrome, primary aldosteronism). Dr. Else has a particular interest in taking care of patients with hereditary syndromes that predispose to the development of endocrine tumors (e.g. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) type 1, MEN2A & MEN2B, Hereditary Paraganglioma Syndrome). He attends the Multidisciplinary Endocrine Oncology Clinic, where patients with tumors receive diagnostic procedures and treatment. In addition he is part of the Cancer Genetics Clinic, which evaluates patients for hereditary syndromes and also facilitates regular exams and surveillance for patients at risk for endocrine tumors. Dr. Else is highly rated in 105 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Adrenal Cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Adrenal Gland Adenoma, Neuroendocrine Tumor, and Thyroidectomy.

Dr. Elif Oral is a professor in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND) at the University of Michigan. She completed her medical education in her home country of Turkey at the University of Istanbul. In 1996, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Sinai Hospital Detroit (Michigan). She then completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the National Institute of Health, where she also chose to stay as a Senior Fellow under the mentorship of Drs SimeonTaylor and Phillip Gorden in in the Diabetes Branch of NIDDK.Since joining the University of Michigan in 2002 as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, along with her regular faculty responsibilities, Dr. Oral also completed a Masters of Science Degree in Clinical Research Design and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health. Her clinical interests are in insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, and diabetes.Dr Oral's research focuses on the importance of adipocytes in human metabolism and adipocyte hormones such as leptin. She is best known for her work showing the remarkable efficacy of leptin in rare lipodystrophy syndromes. Metreleptin received approval by the FDA (2014) and EMA (2016) as a treatment for lipodystrophy owing to a large part to her original vision and work. These studies provided the basis for her current work with three big goals: identification of novel metabolic diseases, discovery of new disease mechanisms and finding treatments for patients afflicted with these disorders. In addition to her roles as physician, educator, and researcher, Dr Oral is also the director of two programs at MEND: Atypical Diabetes Program and Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Program. She directed the Post-Bariatric Surgery Care Program from 2012 to 2021 and continues to conduct research on the cohort of patients who had bariatric surgery performed in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery program. Dr. Oral is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Partial Lipodystrophy, Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy, Familial Hypertriglyceridemia, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.