A Story about Diabetes from the Center for International Patients
Posted: June 26, 2012 Filed under: Guest Blog | Tags: Center for International Patients, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, diabetes worldwide, insulin pump, kovler diabetes center, university of chicago, university of chicago medicine, Vicky Ochoa, World Health Organization Leave a commentVicky Ochoa, the Program Coordinator for the Center for International Patients, shares a wonderful story about what is possible when teams from the University of Chicago work together.
We have an international patient who has suffered from cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, post lung transplant. Despite multiple attempts to manage her diabetes with daily injections of various types of insulin, her blood sugars were increasingly unstable. She was the perfect candidate for an insulin pump. Not surprisingly, she was initially hesitant to try the pump. However, through her own research and discussions with the physicians, educators and nutritionists at the Kovler Diabetes Center she was helped to see the benefits an insulin pump could offer. After learning about its invisibility under clothing and the fact that she could work out or swim without disconnecting it, she agreed to give it a try. Now that she has become more confident in adjusting the doses and maintaining her diet, her blood sugars are regulating. She is much happier with the on-the-go freedom she now enjoys. Many thanks to the entire endocrinology team for helping change this woman’s life!
The World Health Organization estimates that 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and that more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Our partnership with the Center for International Patients is vital to addressing the needs of patients with diabetes throughout the entire world. Thank you to the entire University of Chicago Medicine Center for International Patients for their work on this case and so many others!
Guest Blog: Islet Cell Transplantation
Posted: June 20, 2012 Filed under: Guest Blog, Research and Grants, Transplantation | Tags: insulin, Islet Cell Transplant, kovler diabetes center, Lindsay Schenck, The University of Chicago, Type 1, type 1 diabetes, university of chicago medicine Leave a comment
Welcome to the wonderfully exiting world of research!
As the new Islet Cell Transplant Coordinator, I am new to Islet Cell transplant research and thought we could learn about it together.
Over in the Transplant Center at The University of Chicago we are researching the transplantation of islet cells from a deceased donor’s pancreas into a liver of the patient. Islet cells are the cells from the pancreas that produce insulin. First the Islet cells are isolated in a special solution, and then inserted into a liver vein much like any other solution. This is a non-invasive procedure.
Research on islet transplantation could be helpful for those with Type I to have better control of blood sugars. This research is currently being conducted in those with Type I who have trouble with low blood sugars, where they are no longer able to tell their sugar is too low during those light headed, shaky, wonky (yes, I think I made that word up) moments.
This research is being done in the transplant center because the islet cells that are used come from donated organs, just like a whole pancreas transplant. This research is similar to other studies that have been completed around the country and the world but applies the newest technology for better results.
To find out more about the islet cell transplant research check out the following websites: www.uchospitals.edu/specialties/transplant/pancreas-islet.html
www.citregistry.org
www.clinicaltrials.gov
Thank you,
Lindsay Schenck, RN, BSN
Islet Cell Transplant Coordinator
Diabetes Initiative Inspires Physicians and Community Leaders
Posted: January 23, 2012 Filed under: Diabetes Programs, Diabetes Resources, Kovler Diabetes Center Staff | Tags: baig, diabetes, latino, mexican-american, peek, philipson, picture good health, university of chicago medicine Leave a comment
Dr. Arshiya Baig
A University of Chicago Medicine physician is taking special steps to help the Latino population in Chicago fight back against diabetes. Little Village is a predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood in Chicago that has a diabetes-related mortality rate higher than the national average and the average in Chicago. Arshiya Baig, MD, General Internist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Department of Medicine, has established a unique program to involve local churches in educating Latino Americans about diabetes.
“Since the church has an important role in many Latino cultures and families, working with churches to address diabetes is one method of tailoring diabetes programs to this community,” Dr. Baig said.
With community members and two partner churches — St. Agnes of Bohemia and Our Lady of Tepeyac — she launched Picture Good Health/Imagínate una Buena Salud, a bilingual, eight-week educational program. The curriculum uses an innovative technique called “photovoice” where participants receive disposable digital cameras to document their lives with diabetes. These photos are then used to guide classes in problem solving.
Participants also have access to exercise groups within the churches. The program also includes a patient navigator service that assists participants in finding a local primary care physician.
“We motivate our participants to live a healthy lifestyle and provide them with tools to do that in a fun, creative, and supportive atmosphere,” Dr. Baig said.
Louis H. Philipson , MD, PhD, Director of the Kovler Diabetes Center was a mentor to Dr. Baig. He noted that her work reaches a population that sometimes faces obstacles in receiving health care.
“Dr. Baig is doing important work to better understand the impact of diabetes in the community and to help devise ways to improve the lives of people with limited access,” he said.
In reality, much of diabetes care and management happens outside of the clinic, Dr. Baig noted. Additionally, an important aspect of the Latino culture is its emphasis on family and community. With this program, the participants can invite family members for a graduation party on the last day of class.
Participants in the "Picture Good Health" program
“The family gets to celebrate the participant’s achievements and see how much they have learned,” she said. Monica Peek, MD, General Internist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine, said the project holds great promise.
“Dr. Baig’s work uses innovative, culturally-tailored approaches to address a much-needed health issue in the Mexican-American community,” Peek said. “We’re excited about her work and its ability to improve the lives of people with diabetes here in Chicago, as well as serve as a model for others throughout the country.”
The program is currently being piloted at the two partner churches to assess its impact on diabetes control. “It gives me great pride to know that my colleagues and I are working with the Hispanic community, specifically within Chicago, to improve diabetes management and awareness,” Dr. Baig said.
This article appeared in the latest edition of Kovler Connection. For more information on Picture Good Health, please contact the study team at 773-702-0770 or read these earlier blog posts about this program.
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