If you have diabetes, you know how difficult it can be to manage. From monitoring your food intake to measuring your blood sugar levels, managing diabetes is a daily challenge.
Diabetes is a chronic endocrine condition that commonly occurs in people of all ages.
The health care providers at Nebraska Medicine Diabetes Center specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone related issues. Our providers have special training in endocrine conditions, and are board-certified and fellowship trained in hormone management. Our multidisciplinary team approach helps people find solutions when dealing with diabetes and other endocrine problems. Endocrinology-trained doctors, coupled with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurse case managers, are key team members.
To better help patients deal with lifestyle changes, we offer both personalized and group education plans. Research shows that group classes can be very helpful for people trying to make lifestyle changes, so we offer group classes for people with diabetes. Additionally, our certified diabetes educators (CDE) teach and guide patients using personalized plans. Exercise physiologist and pharmacists, also work with the team to provide extraordinary patient care.
The Diabetes Center at Nebraska Medicine combines clinical care, counseling, education and research to find better ways to prevent and treat diabetes. Much of our program focuses on education and self-management of the disease to teach you the skills you need to be successful at managing your disease.
Patient Guides
The Nebraska Medicine Diabetes Center offers patients a full spectrum of care.
Diabetes Services related to:
- Young Adult Care for Diabetes Type 1 and 2 (ages 16 to 25)
- Metabolic disease
- Women’s health
- Diabetes in pregnancy
- Diabetes after kidney/pancreas transplant
- Cystic fibrosis related diabetes
- Exercise testing and prescription
- Diabetes self-management education
- Insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring senor management
Endocrinology Services related to:
- Thyroid disease
- Thyroid biopsy
- Thyroid cancer
- Metabolic disease
- Osteoporosis
- Adrenal disease
- Pituitary disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Diagnostic endocrine testing
Young Adult Clinic
At our Young Adult Clinic - the only one of its kind in the region - you will be seen by diabetes doctors, nurses, psychologists and educators.
Doctors, Nutritionists, Nurses and Other Specialists
People with diabetes are at risk for a variety of serious health complications that require specialty care. The center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for diabetes patients from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Your team will consist of a physician specialist in endocrinology, a physician assistant and a nurse case manager. Communication between specialists is critical to prevent complications related to the disease. Additional specialists will become part of your team, when necessary. Our goal is to provide you with personalized care using a patient-centered approach.
Certified Diabetes Educators Who Specialize in Case Management and Assist With
- Creating a personalized and relationship-based plan of care
- Defining individual goals and identifying specific needs
- Education, training and management of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring sensors
Experienced Diabetes Educators
Our certified diabetes educators are available to mentor and guide diabetes patients through personalized treatment plans. All clinical staff are certified diabetes educators or expected to get their certification. The education team includes:
- Joni Pagenkemper, MS, RD, LMNT, CDE - Diabetes Education Lead
- Kristina Volkmer, MPH, CDE - Exercise Physiologist
- Tracie Jackson, RD, LMNT, CDE
- Meghan McLarney, RD, LMNT, CDE
- Brenda Waters, BSN, RN
- Andrea Hoge, RN, CDE
- Janet Kinney, RN, CDE
- Marilyn Miller, RN, CDE
- Sandi Nimmo, RN, CDE
- Susan Rock, RN, CDE
- Vickie Davis, RN, CDE
- Wendi Condon, RN, CDE
Diabetes Support Services
Losing weight and exercising regularly are the two most effective steps you can take to manage diabetes or reduce your risk for diabetes. Our dietitians and exercise physiologist will help you develop a life-long wellness plan that includes custom meal planning and an activity schedule to help you successfully monitor and track your progress.
Giving You Proven Tools for Managing Your Disease
Our team supports patients medically and with a strong emphasis on the American Association Diabetes Education (AADE7™) Self-Care Behaviors for successful management of diabetes: monitoring, taking medication, healthy coping, healthy eating, problem solving, reducing risk and being active.
Diabetes Research
Research holds the future for diabetes. Researchers at Nebraska Medicine are involved in a variety of research projects. Read more about diabetes clinical trials and research happening at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and ask your physician about participating in a clinical trial.
Transplant Options
For those suffering with chronic diabetes, speak with your doctor about whether a transplant might be an option worth considering, visit our pancreas transplant team page for more information.