in Hampton Roads in Hampton Roads - Eastern Virginia Medical ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Since opening in 1987, the Strelitz Diabetes Center has become one of theleading diabetes research and patient care facilities in the Mid-Atlantic.Jenna Kalnins26 years living with diabetesgenetic work with Dr. Vinik’s INGAP therapyto possibly eliminate the need for injections indiabetics.There’s a honeymoon period after someone isdiagnosed with Type 1 (also known as juvenileonset) diabetes before they require insulin. In thisperiod, the body’s immune system hasn’t completelydestroyed the pancreas’ own insulin-secreting cells.While at the University of Virginia,Dr. Nadler founded a company,DiaKine Therapeutics, Inc., todevelop a medication called lisofyllinefor diabetes treatments. He discoveredthat the anti-inflammatory agentseems able to stop the body fromwiping out its insulin production.It modulates the immune system,protecting the insulin-secreting cellswithout leaving the patient vulnerableto infection.Lisofylline as a diabetes treatmenthas been very promising in animalresearch. “Now we’re hoping to moveahead to the patient,” Dr. Nadler says.If lisofylline can protect the new cells spawnedby Dr. Vinik’s INGAP, then they could becombined into a cocktail that not only haltsdiabetes damage but reverses the disease.A few months of the therapy could be enoughto help a patient reduce their need for — or evenpermanently eliminate — insulin injections, Dr.Nadler says.Dr. Vinik is looking at stem cells as anotherway to treat Type 1 diabetes. The EVMS centeris among 20 nationwide participating in anewly-launched two-year study funded by OsirisTherapeutics Inc. examining how its Prochymalstem-cell therapy can arrest disease progressionand promote the regeneration of damaged tissues.(The process uses stem cells harvested from adultbone marrow.)All this work has Dr. Nadler enthused.“I would say, without exaggerating, that we havenot only the top diabetes research program in theCommonwealth of Virginia, but one of the top inthe Eastern United States. We are also training thenext generation of diabetes physicians.”Advancing Clinical CareSetting the Strelitz Diabetes Center further apartis its expertise in treating the myriad complicationsof the disease.The team is known for taking lab findings,such as discoveries about the nerve damage process,directly into the patient clinics.26Fall 2009www.eVMS.EDUdiabetes research
“ We have an edge. That’s why the center is soimportant. All or our physicians are backed up by starendocrinologists who can back up the entire operation.”Gerald J. Pepe, PhDdean and provost of EVMS“Dr. Vinik’s program is world famous,” Dr.Nadler says. “People fly in from all over the worldto see him. He’s carrying out funded research inneuropathy, clinical research with patients.”And, finally, there is the opportunity at EVMS,an independent medical school that has close tieswith area hospitals and health practitioners, to sharethose discoveries throughout the community.“What is learned in the lab is translated intopatient care,” says Etta Vinik, head of the center’sEducation Division. “The patient has the advantageof research at a really early stage.”Dan Welch appreciates the center’s dedicationto its patients. He has been treated at the EVMSStrelitz Diabetes Center for nearly three years. Hehas been a Type 1 diabetic for nearly 28.“The way the disease goes,” he says, “it doesn’tget better with time.” But after his primary carephysician referred him to the center, he has seengreat improvements.The center’s team put him on a continuousglucose monitor, with a receiver about the size of atiny cell phone and a button he inserts into his sidethat sends continuous blood sugar readings.Now, he says, he can see problems beforethey become severe. And the nighttime“crashes” are gone, with an alarm thatalerts him before “I am in real trouble.”“Without pricking my finger every fiveminutes I can get way ahead of trying totake any action I need to,” he says.He knows his team, which includes Dr.Nadler, is up to speed with everything thatis going on with the disease and technology.“I have a very active day-to-day life,”says Mr. Welch, who is president andgeneral manager of the BAE SystemsShipyard in Norfolk, which used to beknown as Norshipco. “I am on the go allthe time. This thing has really allowed meto keep up with all of that and not find myself introuble at various points along the day.”Dr. Wilson, who once served on the DiabetesInstitute Foundation’s board of directors, is anoutspoken advocate of the center. He frequentlydrops by and counsels fellow patients to havepatience, that they will see gradual improvementsif they stick with the program like he did.Raymond Williams19 years living with diabetes“They’re doing a great job over there,” Dr.Wilson says.Mr. Welch agrees. He is also a promoter of theclinic and thankful that it exists and is expanding.“We are fortunate to have it in our community,”he says. “They are a true bunch of professionals.Those of us who are lucky enough to be over thereare very appreciative of the facility there and thegreat medical care we get through the center.”diabetes research www.eVMS.EDU Fall 200927
Page 7: Scientists awarded nearly half a mi
Page 10 and 11: First-year medical students Rachel
Page 12 and 13: Name change reflectsart therapist
Page 14 and 15: Clinical TrialsGillian Durham first
Page 16 and 17: But what exactly are clinical trial
Page 18 and 19: e so generous that money alone beco
Page 20 and 21: Turning theTide onDiabetes research
Page 22 and 23: “ Those of us who are fortunate e
Page 24 and 25: “ They’ve beenawfully goodto me
Page 28: Claudia Keenan Hough,EVMS’ first
Page 31 and 32: She rose to marketing director for
Page 33 and 34: alumniDan Neumann, MD, Left,Class o
Page 35 and 36: Graduate named toleadership post at
Page 37 and 38: philanthropyCosmopolitan Internatio
Page 39 and 40: Faculty and staffinvest in EVMScont

in Hampton Roads in Hampton Roads - Eastern Virginia Medical ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?