Leena Shahla, MD

My Locations

Duke Endocrinology Clinic - Clinic 1A

30 Duke Medicine Cir
Clinic 1A

Durham, NC 27710-3000

Office: 919-620-5300 Get Directions

Duke Endocrinology South Durham

234 Crooked Creek Pkwy
Suite 400

Durham, NC 27713-8507

Office: 919-620-5300 Get Directions

About Me

Learn More About Me

Endocrinology has captured my heart because it combines medical science with unique challenges. My passion for solving puzzles drives my deep interest in pituitary disease, the most complex area of endocrinology. As a pituitary specialist and director of the Duke Pituitary Program, I take pride in my role as a knowledgeable physician who strives for thoroughness in every aspect to ensure my patients receive the highest standard of care. I believe the doctor-patient relationship is built on communication, empathy, and trust.

Current Appointments and Affiliations

Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition 2024
Associate Professor in Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery 2024

Languages

English, Arabic

Areas of Expertise

Acromegaly
Craniopharyngioma
Cushing's Syndrome
Pituitary Tumors
Prolactinoma

Training

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Med, Internal Medicine

American Board of Internal Med, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Meta

Residency

Internal Medicine, New York Medical College (New York), 2012 - 2015

Education

MD, Al-Baath University (Syria), 2007

Fellowship

Endocrinology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 2017

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research interest is focused on pituitary disease.

Publications

Choure, Anuja, and Leena Shahla. “Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome: A Case and Literature Review.” AACE Clin Case Rep 11, no. 1 (2025): 29–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aace.2024.09.007.
Aldrete, Karissa, and Leena Shahla. “Severe Ectopic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Syndrome Due to Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.” AACE Clin Case Rep 10, no. 6 (2024): 232–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aace.2024.08.002.
Warda, F., J. Patel, and L. Shahla. “Pituitary Abscess Causing Hypopituitarism in a Patient With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.” AACE Clinical Case Reports 8, no. 6 (November 1, 2022): 243–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aace.2022.08.002.

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Overall Provider Rating

4.85 out of 5

114 ratings, 5 reviews

Patient Reviews

Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Survey and displayed in their entirety.
Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy

Insurance

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna/CVS Health
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
- *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
CIGNA
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
- *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
First Health
Gateway Health Alliance
Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization
- Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization plans*
- *This plan is only accepted at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke HomeCare & Hospice.
Healthgram

Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
MedCost
Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
MultiPlan / Private Healthcare Systems
NC Medicaid
- WellCare of North Carolina
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
- NC Medicaid Direct
- Healthy Blue
- Carolina Complete Health
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
OneNet PPO
Optima Health
- FAMIS*
- Optima Family Care (Medicaid HMO in VA)*
- Optima Individual & Family (On & Off Exchange Plans)
- Optima Plus (PPO)
- Optima Vantage (HMO)
- *Duke Primary Care, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital are not participating with this plan.
TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
- *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.

Camurus
Chiesi USA
Crinetics
Recordati/EUSA Pharma