Continue reading »]]> Physicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center once again are being honored among the best of the best in a ranking by Chicago magazine. The January 2012 issue honors 87 physicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center and at Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago. In addition to their clinical expertise and commitment to compassionate care, these physicians were selected because here at the Medical Center, they are uniquely positioned to help solve the most vital challenges in medicine and science.

Dr. Philipson was chosen by U.S. News & World Report magazine as one of America’s Top Doctors in the fields of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. He was also joined by his peers Dr. Roy Weiss and Dr. David Ehrmann.

Read the full article

Continue reading »]]> It’s been a busy, but fulfilling summer for me.  In addition to meeting with and coaching my patients every week, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend some key conferences for diabetes educators such as myself.  Last June, I went to the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions in San Diego, which was rich in valuable research and clinical information.

And just last week, I went to the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Las Vegas.  This conference is best known for its incredible networking opportunities that it presents the attendees, expertly mixing social opportunities with educational content.  Organizers make it a point to have social events every evening, of which my favorite is the Coffee Social for returning AADE attendees.  It’s a time when fellow Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) can mingle with colleagues from around the country.

But this year’s AADE Meeting was much more than a coffee social for me!  I was honored to present on a topic that’s near and dear to what I do every day…helping teens and adolescents make a successful transition to self-managed diabetes care.  The group of professionals for whom I presented are those who work with young adults and were looking for some tips on how to make this chapter of their lives more manageable.  I focused on the teen transition program here at the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center, InTransit, and gave advice on how CDEs can successfully counsel teens, even if they don’t have access to a formal transition center.

I spoke with two other panel members.  Jean Roemer, a nurse practitioner from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, talked about teens’ physical development.   Nicole Johnson, former Miss America , spoke about a social networking program she has founded in conjunction with USF Health (the University of South Florida) and has been implementing throughout the country at other college campuses.

The attendees of our panel discussion had specific questions and were very interested in our topics, especially regarding Kovler’s InTransit program.  I left feeling energized and hopeful about the exciting accomplishments of Diabetes Educators across the country, and I’m excited to bring those sentiments back to our center and to our patients.

Amy Hess-Fischl
Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Program Coordinator of InTransit Program
The University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center

Continue reading »]]> The Kovler Diabetes Center and its staff have supported several community events over the last few weeks, including the Comer Kids’ Classic, the Ron Santo ‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’ for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament, which raised funds for this weekend’s ‘Step Out: Walk to STOP Diabetes’ event for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).  Kovler staff who attended these events share their thoughts and some photos from these important events.

The JDRF walk in Chicago was my first community event with the Kovler Diabetes Center.  (We also had representatives at the walk site in Lisle, IL.) Not knowing what to expect, I watched as my colleague, Jasmine Gregory, and I pulled up to the walk site at about 8am and saw people energetically stretching and chatting with their teammates. Since I am a second-year college student, I find it surprising that a day filled with this much energy could even start before noon! Anyway, I was so pleased that all of the teams had made their own t-shirts, representing whomever it was they were honoring for their walk against diabetes. I also saw clever team slogans including as, “Diabuddies,” or “Type Win.” Lugging a huge box filled with goody bags for the parents and children who were going to visit the Kovler Diabetes Center tent, I was already filled with anticipation for what the morning would bring.

Soon enough, a large crowd filled the Chicago lakefront with their brightly colored t-shirts and their enthusiasm. A lot of our donors and friends visited the tent, making it even more obvious that this organization has made an impact that is spread far and wide. The rest of the event was a phenomenal success, and lasted well after 1pm.  On behalf of the Kovler Diabetes Center, I want to thank all of you who showed up and walked for a cure!

Alyssa Skar
Student Administrative Assistant