Press Kit

USC Diabetes Research and Care

Every year, diabetes kills more Americans than AIDS and breast cancer combined. If the disease is properly managed, patients can and do lead normal lives. But fewer than three percent of the 16 million diabetes patients in this country meet all the clinical targets that comprise proper disease management.

The USC Westside Center for Diabetes was founded in 2000 with the mission of advancing diabetes care and helping patients manage their diabetes more effectively. The Center has created an advanced practice model to optimize patient care. A team of experts including physicians, psychologists, dietitians, clinical diabetes educators and nurses helps patients understand their condition and how they and their families must participate in their own care to control the disease.

Since managing diabetes is not easy, the staff at the Center is committed to providing its patients with emotional and psychological as well as medical support. Patients are given a clear understanding of the reasons behind every step in their care, coupled with treatment plans tailored to their individual needs and lifestyle. At the Center, the patient becomes the most important member of the health team.

The USC Westside Center for Diabetes is also dedicated to improving diabetes care by conducting research that tests new treatments and medications. The staff conducts clinical research to evaluate effectiveness of new therapies that may benefit patients not only at the Center, but across the nation. Patients who meet the requirements of a given trial may be able to benefit from the latest treatments while contributing to the progress of medical science.

The USC Westside Center for Diabetes is part of the Department of Medicine of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Physicians at the Center are among the Doctors of USC, a group comprised of more than 450 faculty physicians that not only practice medicine but are involved on a daily basis in the latest medical advances. The USC Westside Center for Diabetes also comprises the following care programs.

Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders (Downtown Center)

Established in 1985, the aim of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders is to provide high quality care for the treatment of diabetes as well as lipid, adrenal, pituitary and thyroid disorders. The Center offers an integrated approach to diabetes care with an interdisciplinary team of endocrinologists, dietitians, nurse practitioners and multi-specialty physicians. The Center’s comprehensive program includes state-of-the-art medical care and a diabetes self-management program that has achieved recognition from the American Diabetes Association. Its proximity to the USC Medical Center allows for easy access to a variety of specialists, as well as to the USC University Hospital. In addition to providing patients with the opportunity to participate in clinical trials, the Center also offers two community programs: a monthly support group for patients on intensive therapy with multiple injections or insulin pump, and an annual half-day educational seminar.

Roybal Comprehensive Health Center Diabetes Management Program (Eastside Center)

To help reverse the growing inequity in diabetes care among minority populations, Los Angeles County/USC opened a diabetes disease management program at the Roybal Comprehensive Health Center to provide high quality diabetes care to individuals living in East Los Angeles. This Center offers comprehensive care to patients who have diabetes but lack adequate health insurance. Patients are evaluated by a diabetes educator, a primary care doctor and a diabetes specialist, and are able to receive the results of their laboratory tests at their initial visit. A diabetes management plan is created for each patient, which includes follow-up by one of the Center’s highly trained diabetes nurse educators.