Carl Kempner Memorial Lecture

Developing a Systemic Collaborative Approach for Managing Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes: Conversations with Teens, Their Families and Providers

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
6 - 7:30 p.m.

Harold Starkman, MD, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Goryeb Children’s Hospital
Gloria Lopez-Henriquez, LCSW, Consultant and Research Therapist, Goryeb Children’s Hospital
Nicole L. Pilek, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, Morristown Memorial Hospital

Minimizing risk for acute and long term complications of diabetes in adolescents requires optimal blood sugar management. A small, but significant number of teens have chronically elevated blood sugars, and are at significant risk for hospitalizations, complications and shortened life spans. The dilemmas of these adolescents and their families often elude and frustrate their health care teams, leading to escalating cycles of negative interactions.

The Family Focused High Risk Diabetes Intervention Project was established at Goryeb Children’s Hospital in New Jersey in 2007 to better understand the challenges and strengths of these teens, their families and health care providers. This original presentation will present the project’s findings, including the need for and ways to create improved collaborative relationships among teens, their families and medical and mental health practitioners. Application of this model for better management of other chronic medical illnesses will be addressed.

Download the event flyer here.

For more information, please contact: rkucsan@ackerman.org