Diabetes care

Diabetes is a lifelong disease and managing it can feel like a balancing act. Whether you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels within a targeted range is key to living healthy and lowering your risk of complications.

At Penn Medicine, our diabetes and endocrinology providers can give you the tools you need to reach your goals. Endocrinologists, primary care physicians, registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, nurses, and other providers work as a team to bring you the full spectrum of diabetes care. If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, we also collaborate with your obstetrician. And if you haven’t been diagnosed but you have risk factors for diabetes, we’ll give you diabetes prevention strategies.

We support you with:

• Advanced diabetes testing and an accurate diagnosis
• Essential diabetes education at locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey
• Access to the latest techniques for blood sugar testing and monitoring at home
• Dietary and lifestyle guidance for blood sugar control and weight management
• Diabetes treatments that fit your lifestyle and needs, including specialized care if you need complex insulin therapy or have had a transplant
• Coping strategies, because managing a chronic condition can be emotionally taxing
• Specialized care for advanced disease, including wound care and transplants

In addition to exceptional clinical care, we conduct diabetes research to help improve treatment options and quality of life for people with the disease. Our Diabetes Research Center is one of a handful of centers funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Penn Medicine’s dedication to research means our providers have a better understanding of all types of diabetes and can offer the latest therapies as soon as they become available.

Effective diabetes management begins with a deep understanding of the disease and how to achieve the best outcomes. Penn Medicine is nationally recognized for our small group diabetes education classes. We also provide online education and one-on-one sessions at our diabetes care centers across the region.

You’ll learn about diabetes basics, testing and logging your blood sugar, healthy dietary changes, and how weight management and physical activity can help you reach your goals. Our classes also cover managing your medications, taking insulin, and what to do if you have very high or very low blood sugar levels. We’re your partners from the very beginning of your diagnosis.

The Diabetes Education Center at Pennsylvania Hospital is accredited by the American Diabetes Association for meeting national standards for diabetes self-management education and support. You’ll learn from registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators how to achieve your target blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through a personalized assessment and a series of classes.

If you haven’t been diagnosed but you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, we have a year-long National Diabetes Prevention Program designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Certified lifestyle coaches lead you through making changes in your daily routine that can result in a 5% to 7% change in your weight and lower your risk of developing the disease.

Because diet plays a powerful role in the management of diabetes, our individual and group nutritional counseling sessions help you create meal plans and give you guidance on weight management that will support your goals. The sessions also provide education on your medications and how to use an insulin pump. If you have gestational diabetes, you’ll meet with a nurse and dietitian to focus on your nutritional needs during pregnancy.