UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence

11/20/2025

James Bertram Collip -- biochemist, educator and co-discoverer of insulin -- is born in Belleville, Ontario.

11/19/2025

The 11th UMass Diabetes Foot Screening & Health Clinic for the underserved community was held on Saturday, November 15 at Hastings Hall in Fitchburg. The location was determined using a new mapping system to identify neighborhoods with the greatest need for services. The inaugural multidisciplinary outreach clinic was held on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2020 in Worcester’s canal district. These bi-annual events continue to grow, both in terms of the number of attendees and services provided. The photo below includes an endocrinologist, nurse practitioner, dietitian, nurse, all who volunteered their time - plus family and other volunteers.

UMass Memorial
UMass Chan Medical School

11/17/2025

DCOE Co-Directors Drs. David Harlan & Michael Brehm, participated in the annual Levine-Riggs Diabetes Research Symposium — focused on the future of type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Harlan helped lead multiple sessions, including chairing the symposium’s deep dive into stem-cell–derived islets and moderating the prestigious Rachmiel Levine Award Lecture, the award that he received last year. He also guided the xenotransplantation session, underscoring his ongoing role in shaping the future of islet replacement therapies.

Dr. Brehm co-moderated two immunology sessions focused on how immune cells interact with and damage pancreatic islets in type 1 diabetes. Those sessions advanced the discussion around emerging immune-modulating strategies.

Nicolai Hathiramani, a PhD candidate in the Brehm Lab, is working to help transplanted and stem-cell–derived islets survive those first critical days when they don’t yet have enough oxygen, using new ways to boost their energy systems so the cells stay healthier and stronger.

11/14/2025

Our pediatric diabetes care team UMass Memorial wore blue for . Check out the (bottom right).


UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center

11/14/2025

is observed on November 14, the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting, a surgeon at the University of Toronto who co-discovered insulin in 1921. This discovery transformed from a fatal diagnosis into a treatable chronic condition. During his Nobel Prize lecture, Dr. Banting reminded the world that “insulin is not a cure for diabetes; it is a treatment,” a sentiment reflected in the team’s decision to sell the insulin patent to the University of Toronto for one dollar, ensuring the discovery would benefit everyone.

11/13/2025

Tomorrow, November 14 is ! Don't forget to wear blue and help raise awareness and support for the community! 💙💙💙

11/12/2025

November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a reminder that thriving with starts with small, daily choices. 💙 Take charge of your health with simple, actionable tips for nutrition, daily diabetes management, and emotional well-being. From mindful eating to regular checkups, every step counts toward a stronger, healthier you! A downloadable checklist is available to help you stay on track in this UMass Memorial Health blog 👉 https://bit.ly/49UTZPA

UMass Memorial Medical Center UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital

11/10/2025

This Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, we celebrate our incredible NPs who make a difference every day. At the the UMass Memorial DCOE our NPs blend the nursing model (education, prevention & patient counseling) with the medical model (diagnosis, treatment & prescribing) to manage with skill and compassion.

In Massachusetts, NPs have full practice authority — meaning they can prescribe medications and devices (like insulin pumps and CGMs), diagnose complications, refer to specialists, and coordinate care with primary care physicians.

Meet our team and learn more:
🔗 umassmed.edu/dcoe/diabetes-care/adult-care-team

UMass Memorial Health

11/09/2025

States and school districts need to exempt students who require smart devices to manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes. If your child is having c...

11/07/2025

Our next Parent Session is happening during Family Weekend Camp on November 8th!

Join us for a fun and informative session on Super Foods — or make it a full weekend and join us for Family Camp!
https://www.bartoncenter.org/registration/

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

Nicolai Hathiramani, a PhD candidate in the Brehm & Spinelli laboratories, was diagnosed with as a young boy. He presented his research from his thesis project at UMass Chan Medical School, investigating novel ways to help insulin-producing beta cells survive & thrive after stem cell-derived islet transplantation. Other DCOE scientists are studying ways to genetically engineer those islets to be "invisible" to the immune system, so that immunosuppressants will not be required post transplantation. Our mission is a world free of for Nicolai and millions of others!

Learn more at https://www.umassmed.edu/dcoe/diabetes-research/spinelli-rhodoquinone