John Stafford, MD, PHD
Physician, Professor
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Make an appointment
614-685-3333
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Endocrinology
- Diabetes Mellitus
Locations
- Outpatient Care Dublin
Academics and research
Department: Internal Medicine
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am the director of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. My clinical expertise is focused on treating patients with conditions including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, lipid disorders, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
As a physician-scientist, I am passionate about using innovative research to improve patient care. My work has focused on better understanding the mechanisms by which obesity and diabetes increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. I also study how women and men are different metabolically and why they may need different approaches to treatment. In addition, I work to understand how patients’ lifestyles fit with their medical treatments.
My research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals and I have served on committees within the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Diabetes Association.
My responsibilities also include helping to educate the next generation of providers. I am a professor of Internal Medicine in The Ohio State University College of Medicine. I also am the director of the Lipid Clinic at the Columbus Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Conditions and expertise
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Endocrinology
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
7/1/2005 - 6/30/2008 - Residency - Internal Medicine
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
7/1/2003 - 6/30/2005 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
10/1/1995 - 5/1/2003
Certifications
-
American Board of Internal Medicine/Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
10/24/2008 -
American Board of Internal Medicine
9/1/2006
Academics and research
I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center on July 1, 2025, as the Director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. I bring a distinguished record of leadership, research, and clinical expertise in the fields of diabetes, obesity, and metabolism.
Before coming to Ohio State, I was an Associate Professor of Medicine with tenure at Vanderbilt University, where I served as Chief of the Endocrine Section at the Tennessee Valley VA Healthcare System and Director of the Lipid Clinic. My work has focused on understanding how obesity and diabetes increase the risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis, advancing both clinical care and biomedical research.
I have led nationally recognized educational programs, including the Vanderbilt Medical Student Research Training Program and the NIDDK Medical Student Research Program, training more than 1,200 medical students from over 100 U.S. medical schools. I am the principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded projects, including studies on sex-specific risks of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. My contributions have earned me prestigious honors such as the Oscar B. Crofford Award for Research in Endocrinology and the Early-Career Investigator Award for Excellence from the Kern Lipid Conference.
His vision for the division includes:
- Elevating national recognition for clinical excellence in obesity, diabetes, and endocrine care.
- Building a diverse workforce and developing future leaders in endocrinology.
- Driving innovation through collaborative research and education, with emphasis on cancer-prone diabetes subtypes, obesity, thyroid and adrenal cancer, and women’s health.
- Expanding community outreach and creating a Center of Excellence in Diabetes, while strengthening partnerships with The James and the Comprehensive Cancer Center.
I earned my BA, MD, and PhD in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics from Vanderbilt University, where I also completed my internal medicine residency and clinical/research fellowship in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism.
Research interests
- Sex-Specific Risks of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease
Academic information
- Department:
- Internal Medicine
- Division:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
More about my research
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Stafford has reported no relationships with companies or entities.