M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best children’s hospitals in the nation for treating diabetes and endocrine disorders.

We are members of the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange, a national registry project that collects common data from select centers about patients with diabetes. With tens of thousands of data profiles, we have access to statistically significant information about what works, and what does not. We are able to contribute to establishing best practice and advancing treatment through research. To help manage diabetes, M Health Fairview physicians prescribe insulin pumps or conventional insulin therapy (injections), and offer monitoring with continuous glucose monitoring devices. According to data collected by the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry, automated monitoring and control is improving results.

Children with chronic pancreatitis who require a pancreatectomy benefit from M Health Fairview physicians' leadership in the field of total pancreatectomy/islet auto-transplantation (TP-IAT). Pain relief is the most significant aspect of TP-IAT. Nearly 90 percent of patients report that their pain is gone or greatly diminished after the surgery. This procedure can also help prevent diabetes, which is a bonus that patients appreciate.

As population demographics change, we study the effects. We are now studying diabetes in African immigrant children. In addition, we have an ongoing effort to develop diabetes programs in Uganda.

Our diabetes staff at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital supports the American Diabetes Association (Minnesota chapter) summer camp and regularly attend the camp in a medical staff role. Camp Needlepoint is for children who have Type 1 diabetes so they can enjoy a regular summer camp experience.