Adult Diabetes Program
The University of Colorado Adult Diabetes Program is comprised of inpatient and outpatient management that interact in all aspect of diabetes management. The program is being developed under the leadership of Boris Draznin, MD, PhD, The Celeste and Jack Grynberg Professor of Medicine. The inpatient segment of the program is headed by Cecilia Low Wang, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine. The Glucose Management Team (GMT) under Dr. Low Wang’sleadership provides diabetes management and resident and fellow education at the University Hospital 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
The Outpatient Diabetes Practice in the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion is a multidisciplinary diabetes team that includes physicians, nurse educators, and dietitian educators. The Director of the Clinic is Michael McDermott, M.D., Professor of Medicine. Our diabetes educators are available by phone, fax, or email to communicate with patients interested in improving their blood glucose control through intensive therapy. Since diabetes is a disease which patients manage themselves, each of our providers strives to teach the latest information to assure that patients are making informed decisions. Our diabetes self-management education program has been accredited by the American Diabetes Association. These standards ensure patients that they are receiving the latest information, which empowers them to take control of their diabetes through knowledge and teamwork.
About the Program
The inpatient Glucose Management Team at the University of Colorado Hospital was started in 2008. The mission of the hospital's GMT is to help inpatient clinical departments improve outcomes through better glycemic control. In many patients, management of inpatient diabetes and/or stress hyperglycemia can be complex with many changing factors and the need for close monitoring and adjustment of glycemic regimens. In addition to providing direct patient care through consults and follow-up visits in the hospital, the Glucose Management Team helps to educate fellows, housestaff, and advanced practice students in inpatient glycemic management, and is involved in clinical research and quality improvement initiatives. The team has published original research, scholarly reviews, and a guide to inpatient management of hyperglycemia and diabetes. The GMT is an integral part of a national consortium to advance diabetes education and research, and improve clinical outcomes.
Our Mission
The mission of the Adult Diabetes Program is to provide excellent care for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and to participate in the development and application of research for the treatment and prevention of complications of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The Adult Diabetes Program conducts rigorous clinical research under the leadership of Dr. Neda Rasouli, MD. Programs for the insulin-requiring patient include intensive insulin therapy, which incorporates insulin management, carbohydrate counting and intensive diabetes education. For motivated patients an insulin pump program is available with certified pump trainers on site.
Programs for the non-insulin-requiring patient include intensive dietary management with the goal of weight management and glucose control as well as pharmacologic intervention. Lipid management is stressed.
The Adult Diabetes Program also offers the opportunity to participate in clinical research programs to study this serious, chronic disease which is a major health care burden. This effort is led by Dr. Neda Rasouli. Current studies include a new injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes promoting both implantable insulin pump therapy and prevention of type 1.5 diabetes, weight loss, and better glucose control.
Research and Clinical Interest include:
- Microvascular complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including clinical trials of medications to try to halt or reverse early and late changes in kidneys and eyes
- Macrovascular complications of type 1 and type 2diabetes including intensive management of cardiovascular risk factors
- Evaluation and clinical use of new oral agents for type 2 diabetes
- Evaluation and clinical use of new injectable agent for type 2 diabetes which promotes weight loss
- Evaluation and clinical use of new oral agents, and new insulin analogues for type 1 diabetes
- Evaluation and clinical use the external & internal insulin pump in management of type 1 diabetes
- Evaluation and clinical use of new oral agents for type 2 diabetes
The Adult Diabetes Care and Research faculty participate in a number of teaching activities. The faculty members are active in the teaching of medical student courses at all levels including 2nd year Pathophysiology lectures and small group workshops and 4th year pharmacology lectures. Medical students are educated regarding the multidisciplinary approach to diabetes care through the Center on elective rotations in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes.
Internal Medicine and Family Medicine housestaff receive hands-on training in diabetes standards, care and research at the Center on elective rotations in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, as well as via the inpatient Glucose Management Team elective. Endocrine Fellows spend part of their clinical training within the framework of the inpatient and outpatient diabetes management programs.