The Diabetes Clinical Center at UCSF is dedicated to the comprehensive, cost-effective care of diabetes in adults and children, with an emphasis on patient education and the avoidance of complications of the disease. The program specializes in the use of proven measures to prevent severe diabetic complications, including optimal metabolic control, screening and treatment of foot disorders, diabetic retinopathy, incipient nephropathy, anti-hypertensive therapy and lipid-lowering therapy.

A model for the management of other chronic diseases, the clinical Center combines a number of unique and important methods to ensure the highest quality of care for all its patients.

For instance, diabetes in children comes with a number of unique concerns not generally associated with adult diabetes. At UCSF, children with diabetes are seen by a special pediatric team that is experienced in the management of the unique aspects of juvenile diabetes, and provide social, economic and emotional support for families. Patients of all ages and their families and caregivers are offered extensive training in diabetes management.

A key feature of the Diabetes Clinical Center is its close collaboration with UCSF diabetes researchers. With few distinct boundaries between clinical researchers and laboratory scientists, UCSF patients have access to late-breaking discoveries, new treatment options and new strategies for diagnosing and managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The clinical and research links are strengthened by the UCSF Islet and Cellular Transplant Center.