Vidhu Thaker, MD

I became a pediatric endocrinologist because of my desire to make a difference in the lives of children with obesity. The subspecialty training gave me tools to understand the complex systems of hormones and environmental influences on weight control, to better help my patients. My journey took me to Boston Children’s Hospital followed by return to New York and my current position at Columbia University. I provide care for children of all ages with obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, I have expertise in other endocrine conditions, such as thyroid disease, growth hormone disorders, adrenal disorders, and bone related abnormalities. I enjoy working at Columbia West Side Pediatrics on 86th Street with a close-knit group of clinicians and staff who care deeply about the health and well-being of children and their families. There are many ways to manage endocrine conditions, and input from the family is one of the key pillars of care. I believe in empowering patients and their families with knowledge about their conditions so that they can share in decision making. Working together, we make it easier to navigate tough decisions and challenging paths. My research is focused on the genetic causes of early onset severe weight gain in children and adults. We are aiming to identify novel genetic causes of excessive weight gain, with a special focus on children from diverse backgrounds. We invite families to join in research efforts that require a large number of participants. Additionally, we are studying a rare condition called ROHHAD (rapid onset obesity, hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation and autonomic dysfunction) syndrome, where children have severe weight gain early in life and a variety of other issues. My work extends into the study of physiological changes after weight loss surgery in adults and adolescents. The long-term goal of this work is to improve our understanding of weight gain and loss, to allow development of new therapies. Aside from clinical practice and research, I teach doctors in training, students from Institute of Human Nutrition, and students from the Mailman School of Public Health. I coach children from middle and high school in science and scientific methods. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and teenage children exploring the woods and mountains in New York and New England.