Michele Rebecca Hutchison, MD

Pediatric Endocrinology

Biography

Dr. Hutchison received a BA in Biochemistry and a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College in 1988. She joined the MSTP Program at UT Southwestern in Dallas in 1991 and received her MD/PhD in 1999. She completed 3 years of General Pediatrics training as well as her fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at Children's in Dallas.

Personal Statement

As a child I read in a Scientific American magazine about the cloning and expression of the insulin gene to treat diabetes, and I was transfixed. My mother worked in a laboratory that did endocrine testing, so I knew what a T4 was at a young age. In high school I read about how molecular biologist Bert O'Malley* worked out the chemistry of the steroid hormone synthesis pathway. Apparently I was meant to be an Endocrinologist. During my fellowship I became interested in learning how bones grow in children, and I did basic research on the specialized chondrocytes in growing bone. I also developed a clinical interest in bone disease in children, such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, as well as disuse osteoporosis caused by lack of ambulation. I also have an interest in the care of children and adolescents who are exploring their gender identity; while in Arkansas I was the medical director of the Gender Spectrum clinic for transgender youth. I also enjoy general endocrinology and caring for patients with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2. Over 45 years ago I read in a magazine about the cloning of the insulin gene. Now I get to use the miracle of insulin to help my patients. * Several years ago I met Dr. O'Malley at an Endocrine Society meeting in Chicago; he laughed and said I was the first person to say that he had been their high school hero.