Peter Tebben, MD, an adult and pediatric endocrinologist, has joined Yale School of Medicine (YSM) as the new director of the Yale Bone Center. His role began on October 1, 2024. He takes over from Karl Insogna, MD, Ensign Professor Emeritus of Medicine (Endocrinology), who has led the center since its inception in 1987.
“We are tremendously excited to have Dr. Tebben join our faculty,” said John Wysolmerski, MD, professor of medicine (endocrinology) and chief of the Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism at YSM. “His expertise in metabolic bone disease and mineral metabolism in both adults and children will benefit patients across the age spectrum in Connecticut and the tri-state area.”
In his new role, Tebben will be responsible for the administrative oversight of the Yale Bone Center and contribute to the clinical and research efforts of the Yale Center for X-Linked Hypophosphatemia, one of the world’s leading programs in this rare disease of phosphate and bone metabolism, Wysolmerski said.
Throughout his career, Tebben has sought to identify and treat various bone and mineral metabolism conditions, including those that are unusual. An example is 24-hydroxylase mutations, which change how vitamin D—and therefore calcium—is metabolized. The condition can lead to kidney stones and high blood calcium, according to Tebben. “Sorting out the pathology and genetics behind it in collaboration with colleagues is most satisfying,” he said.
One important issue is the lack of therapies for metabolic or rare bone diseases, Tebben noted. “There is considerable need in the rare disease community,” he said. “It is an exciting space to be a part of because of the development of better treatments that offer hope to people with rare bone disorders.”
Another concern in public health today is osteoporosis management, according to Tebben. “Because osteoporosis is a silent condition until a fracture occurs, those with high fracture risk often go unrecognized,” he said. “As such, much of our effort needs to be focused on identifying patients who have the highest risk of fracture so we can address and minimize that risk with medications and other interventions.” Tebben is excited to continue Insogna’s work in developing a fracture liaison service to identify and treat those with established osteoporosis to minimize the risk of subsequent fractures.
As he steps into his new role at the Yale Bone Center, Tebben credits Insogna with creating a tremendous foundation from which to build. “I won’t even attempt to fill Dr. Insogna’s shoes,” Tebben said. “Carrying his work forward, I hope to leverage the expertise of Yale Bone Center clinicians to help patients who need the high level of care provided at YBC.”
Tebben also hopes to learn more about how the center can better serve patients through ongoing research and to ensure that the center’s work carries on into the future by continuing to educate fellows, residents, and medical students.
Wysolmerski looks forward to Tebben’s tenure as the Yale Bone Center director. “He is an ideal leader to take the center forward and build on its strong history of clinical care and research,” he said.
Tebben came to Yale from the Mayo Clinic, where he was an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, and member of the Bone Core Group. He received his MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Minnesota, and was a fellow in both adult and pediatric endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic.
Yale School of Medicine’s Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism works to improve the health of individuals with endocrine and metabolic diseases by advancing scientific knowledge; applying new information to patient care; and training the next generation of physicians and scientists to become leaders in the field. To learn more, visit Endocrinology & Metabolism.