The Sanford Project

Sanford Clinical Diabetes Center

Current Clinical Services for Patients with Diabetes

Selected as the research topic of focus for the Sanford Project, type 1 diabetes will be at the center of Sanford Health’s research efforts in the future.  Clinically, the Pediatric Diabetes Center at Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic and Sanford Clinic Diabetes & Thyroid utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to providing diabetes care and education to children and their families

This team includes pediatric endocrinologists, endocrinologists, endocrinology nurses, certified diabetes educators, registered dieticians and social workers.  While focusing on the immediate and long-term issues related to diabetes, the team of medical professionals provides an opportunity for patients and their families to obtain support and guidance for all aspects of diabetes care and management.

Pediatric Endocrinologists
Laura Davis-Keppen, MD		Alexander Karmazin, MD		Karen Hanisch, MS, RN, CNP
Adult Endocrinologists
Brandon Allard, MD		Richard Barth, MD		Rushi Bhatia, MD
Vashal Bhatia, MD		Brandy Bloemendaal, MS, RN, CNP		Kristi Stemsrud, PA-C

A difficult disease to manage at home, patients that are diagnosed with diabetes begin with a series of education-related meetings with a skilled team of diabetes educators.  This staff helps patients and their families with individualized education tailored to their needs, including insulin administration and adjustment, nutrition, blood glucose monitoring and home care management.  Patients also learn about insulin pump therapy and intensive insulin management. 

Once patients have been educated on the daily practices required to treat the disease, they see endocrinologists each three to six months.  Through the evaluation of growth disorders, a variety of treatments are offered including growth hormone therapy.  The endocrinology team also evaluates thyroid issues, adrenal conditions, early and delayed puberty, polycystra spectrum disorders and other endocrine conditions.  While focusing on the immediate and long-term issues related to diabetes, our team of medical professionals provides an opportunity for patients and their families to obtain support and guidance for all aspects of diabetes care and management.

The endocrinology team participates in a variety of research studies and clinical trials to further growth hormone therapies and the treatment of diabetes. The physicians also travel to clinics throughout the region to provide care to patients close to home, reducing travel time and expense.

This team is also tied to the most comprehensive collection of pediatric and adult subspecialty services in the region.  As patients with diabetes need other clinical care, physicians at the Sanford Diabetes Center have access to physicians in:  cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology and ophthalmology.

Adult patients with type 1 diabetes are seen by endocrinologists, family practitioners and internal medicine physicians.  Sanford also has a gestational diabetes specialist at Sanford Clinic Women’s Health.  Last year, nearly 1,400 patients sought services at Sanford Health for a primary diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.  Across the country, the diesease affects more than 3 million people.  In all, Sanford Health staff and physicians helped serve nearly 13,000 outpatients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Other Resources

As research initiatives continue to develop, patients will have greater access to the most advanced therapies and technologies via clinical trials conducted concurrently by their physicians.  Also, the planned Pediatric Residency at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine will provide a pipeline of talent to continue services to the region’s children.  Type 1 diabetes programs may also be enhanced through Sanford Health’s relationship with the Mayo Clinic as well as the advancing data network provided by the health system’s integrated electronic medical record system, DocZ.  This system will help patients and physicians better manage treatment protocols and follow-up appointments.

US News & World Report has recognized Sanford as a leader in Diabetes Care. 

Sanford USD Medical Center has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education.  The Sanford Diabetes Program has 15 ADA recognized sites throughout the health system.  Certified Diabetes Nurses and Dietitians provide Self Management training for people of all ages.

With the Sanford Project investment and initiatives, Sanford Health will seek to end the challenges type 1 diabetes brings to children and adults alike.  But, while the cure is sought, the team at the Sanford Diabetes Center will continue to strive to provide better and less-intrusive treatments, not just for survival, but for a greater quality of life.