I'm Jennifer Kirby. I'm an Endocrinologist here at the University of Virginia. My major interests are in in diabetes and weight management. I remember when I was a first year medical student and sitting through one of my physiology classes and learning about the pituitary gland. We call it the master gland because it sends out a lot of different hormones that control different glands in the body and I loved it. 

One of the things that I like about my field is that I get to establish a long term relationship with my patients. I get to see them for many, many years and I find that very rewarding. I like to work with the patient. I often tell them that they are the captain of the team and that I'm part of the team to help them be better. I want them to feel that they're in control. For many diseases including diabetes, they're the ones that have to manage it on a day to day basis. 

I think UVA represents a great place to come if you have a problem that requires an endocrinologist. We have some amazing clinicians that work in our group. These are people that are world renowned and I feel blessed to be amongst them and that they have helped train me and our resources. The care is multidisciplinary. We have fantastic endocrine surgeons that we work with as well. We also have lots of support system like our diabetes education and management program. These are all things that can be engaged to help with the patient.