Newly diagnosed patients are referred to the Barbara Davis Center from all over Colorado, adjacent states and the Rocky Mountain region. Patients and their families receive intensive and comprehensive individual and group training, care, and counseling with the clinical care team members from the Center. BDC providers remain in close contact with newly diagnosed patients until the patient and family are comfortable with their care and in good control. Most patients will eventually be seen routinely four times a year, however providers are available 24 hours a day to help with changes in regimens, emergencies and illnesses. All newly diagnosed patients and their families receive a free copy of Understanding Diabetes (the Pink Panther book) written by Dr. Peter Chase and Dr. Brigitte Frohnert.

Our clinical social workers meet with each new onset family in order to help them adjust to the diagnosis of diabetes. They are available to help families and kids with diabetes related issues at any time, both during clinic visits and outside of regularly scheduled appointments. Drs. K. Driscoll and S. Majidi have implemented an innovative screening, evaluation and treatment program for depression in pediatric patients with diabetes.

Our dietitians meet with each new onset or new to clinic family to teach them how to adjust diet to insulin delivery. They are also available to all patients during scheduled visits, individual nutrition visits and by telephone.

The pediatric clinic has a comprehensive program for helping patients initiate insulin pump therapy and/or continuous glucose monitoring. Certified trainers are available on site, and all pump and sensors training is done in the outpatient setting. Understanding Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Monitors, written by Dr. Peter Chase and Laurel Messer, RN, MPH, serves as the textbook.

The BDC currently serves over 800 Latino/Hispanic pediatric patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their families. We have seen difficulties in achieving the same level of diabetes care goals in this population. This is likely related to language barriers, but more importantly to cultural barriers and limited Spanish speaking staff and resources to adequately provide the same level of care and communication. In an effort to overcome these challenges and maximize resources, Dr. Andrea Gerard Gonzalez with a grant from the Helmsely CharitableTrust, has launched a unique and innovative model of family style shared medical appointments.

In a collaborative effort between the BDC Pediatric and Adult Clinic as well as the Adolescent Medicine Program at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, the BDC has developed a novel approach to transitioning adolescents with T1D from pediatric to adult diabetes care. This program is focused on patient education and empowerment through shared medical appointments and peer interactions.

The Pediatric Clinic encourages opportunities for continuing education, participation in local support groups, special outings and parties arranged by the Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, and attendance at annual summer camps sponsored by the Colorado American Diabetes Association.  With the JDRF Rocky Mountain Chapter, we jointly organize the annual ‘Type One Nation Summit’ educational program for pediatric patients and their families. Indeed, many of our clinicians and other employees who have type 1 diabetes themselves volunteer to staff the camps and other special events each summer.