Posted on

New Research Grant Award: Studying the Mechanisms that Cause Diabetes in Children with Pancreatitis

Dr. Larson Ode

Congratulations to Dr. Katie Larson Ode, who was just named the recipient of a research grant award. The award comes from the joint Minnesota-Iowa Diabetes Research Center (MIDRC) as part of an initiative to foster collaborative diabetes research between the two institutions. For the research project, Dr. Larson Ode has teamed up with Univ of Minnesota physician Dr. Melena Bellin, whom is also a pediatric endocrinologist. A portion of children who develop chronic or recurrent acute pancreatitis will develop diabetes. However, the reasons for this are poorly understood. To better understand why, and hopefully delineate preventative strategies, Drs. Larson Ode and Bellin will enroll children with pancreatitis into a study in which glucose monitors and meal tests will be used to determine how well their pancreases are functioning to produce insulin and control blood sugar.

Posted on

Fetal and Newborn Glucose Metabolism: New Textbook Chapter

Recently, Dr. Norris co-authored a new chapter entitled “Glucose Metabolism in the Fetus and Newborn, and Methods for Its Investigation“. The chapter is part of the newly published Fetal and Neonatal Physiology textbook, 6th edition, edited by Polin, Abman, Rowitch & Benitz (Hardcover ISBN: 9780323712842). This is one of the leading standard textbooks for perinatal and neonatal physicians. Dr. Norris co-authored the chapter with Dr. Sarah A. Wernimont, who is an maternal-fetal medicine faculty physician at the University of Minnesota. Both Dr. Wernimont and Dr. Norris have directed research aimed at better understanding glucose metabolism in the maternal-fetal system. The textbook is available from publisher Elsevier and also at commercial book outlets.

Posted on

Dr. Curtis Provides Expertise to the Taylor Hooton Foundation

Dr. Curtis

Testosterone is a powerful hormone and has potential for abuse for a variety of reasons, including use for physical appearance and sports performance enhancement. The same is true for testosterone-like synthetic chemicals, termed anabolic steroids. The Taylor Hooton Foundation aims to educate the public about the dangers of these substances when used for physical appearance and sports performance enhancement. Testosterone and FDA approved anabolic steroids are important treatments for some medical conditions, when prescribed at proper dosages and carefully monitored. On July 28th, Dr. Curtis, who has expertise on these topics, spoke to the Taylor Hooton Foundation about the abuses of these compounds.

Posted on

Dr. Pesce Promoted to Full Professor

Dr. Pesce

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Liuska Pesce for her well earned promotion to full professor!! In brief, Dr. Pesce has been promoted in recognition of her being a master clinician, an award-winning teacher, a highly compassionate physician, and a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of thyroid disorders in children. She joined the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2008. As a trainee, she performed cutting-edge research leading to several publications in the area of molecular transport in thyroid cells. Although she could have joined the faculty on the tenure track, she instead felt that her calling was clinical care. Her clinical expertise and thoughtfulness is cherished by her peer faculty, who often seek out her clinical opinion. Her patients satisfaction ratings are superlative and among the very top tier at the entire institution. In this area of medicine, Dr. Pesce has gained national recognition and prominence. She, with other members of her pediatric thyroid clinic team, have published several peer reviewed research articles. She, with colleagues at other institutions, has published opinion pieces related to thyroid care, as well as related national teaching modules. She also has published numerous opinion pieces in Clinical Thyroidology for the Public. She has been invited to give lectures on pediatric thyroid disease at national conferences for the past several years. Also in recognition of her expertise, she has been named to the American Thyroid Association Patient Affairs & Education national Committee. Once again, congratulations Dr. Pesce!

Posted on

Announcing New Pediatric Endocrine Fellow: Dr. Parra Villasmil

Dr. Parra Villasmil

Today we are thrilled to announce that Dr. Graciela Parra Villasmil has joined our division as a new pediatric endocrine fellow. She will serve three years in this role, after which she will be a full fledged board eligible pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Parra Villasmil received her Medical Degree from the Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela where she was an award winning student. She then completed a pediatric residency at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. While a resident she demonstrated an aptitude for and interest in pediatric endocrinology, and was highly involved in diabetes camp (see picture below) at Camp Herkto Hollow. She has assisted with pediatric endocrine clinical research both in Venezuela and while a pediatric resident at the University of Iowa, and has published her scholarship in the field of endocrinology (link 1 and link 2). Welcome Dr. Parra Villasmil!! We are also proud to announce that Dr. Sriya Subramani, who was a pediatric resident here, is also starting a Pediatric Fellowship, at University of Washington / Seattle Children’s Hospital. Congratulations Dr. Subramani!!

Diabetes Camp Hertko Hollow, some staff from teen week 2019. Division members include Diabetes Nurse Sue Huff on the far left, endocrine fellow Dr. Alex Tuttle on the far right, and new endocrine fellow Dr. Parra Villasmil second from far right. Dr. Sriya Subramani, front far right, also is a new endocrine fellow, at the University of Washington.
Posted on

Dr. Curtis Assumes Reins of Fellowship Program

Dr. Curtis

We are happy to announce that Dr. Vanessa Curtis has assumed leadership as Program Director of our Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship. Dr. Curtis received her MD from the University of Wisconsin, where she also completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology. Since coming to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital as pediatric endocrine faculty in 2011, she has become known for her expert clinical care and illuminating clinical teaching. She helped found the important University of Iowa Cardiometabolic Clinic, which serves to optimize health in youth with obesity-related medical complications. Her research has focused on pediatric growth and development. For the past several years Dr. Curtis has distinguished herself as an education leader while serving as the Associate Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship Program Director and as Assistant Clerkship Director of the Core Pediatric Clerkship for medical students. For these reasons, we are pleased to welcome her as fellowship Program Director. We would also like to thank outgoing Program Director Dr. Tansey for his service in this role since 2008. His involvement in the fellowship program will continue as Associate Director.

Posted on

Scientific Workshop on Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes

The National Institutes of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation held a 3-day workshop devoted to cystic fibrosis related diabetes from June 23-25 (workshop link). The workshop was attended by interested physicians, scientists, and affected families and persons, and also was open to the public. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the current state of knowledge about this form of diabetes, and to help inform future research directions. Dr. Larson Ode and Dr. Norris from our division both spoke on their areas of related expertise, with talks entitled “Glycemic Abnormalities in Young Children” and “Innervation of the CF Pancreas” respectively. The University of Iowa was also represented by two other speakers, gene therapy expert John Engelhardt PhD and pediatric gastroenterologist Aliye Uc MD. Drs. Engelhardt and Norris were also part of the workshop planning committee, along with other experts from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Posted on

Exemplifying Cardiometabolic Health Maintenance.

Congratulations to Dr. Vanessa Curtis for recently winning her division in the Sylvan Island Stampede bike race. The race was held in April on an island on the Mississippi River near Moline Illinois. Despite working full time as a Pediatric Endocrinologist, Dr. Curtis is also a competitive cyclist. She is an example of cardiometabolic health maintenance to us all.

Posted on

Our Program Remains Nationally Ranked Among the Best Children’s Diabetes & Endocrinology Programs

Our Division has been rated among the Best Children’s Hospitals for Diabetes & Endocrinology Care by the US News & World Report 15th annual national report, where we were ranked #41 nationwide. Other top ranked specialties at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital included neonatology, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric nephrology, and pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

“Our national ranking is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our pediatric endocrine physicians, nurse practitioners, specialty nurses, diabetes educators, researchers, medical assistants, dieticians, pharmacists, and all teams members. We remain devoted to provide the best care for the children and adolescents in the region and beyond.”

Andrew Norris, M.D. Ph.D.
Director, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes
UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital

Posted on

Potential Exocrine-Endocrine Pancreas Crosstalk

Pancreatic islets are the cells that produce insulin and glucagon, and are otherwise known as the endocrine pancreas. The islets are surrounded by the exocrine pancreas. The exocrine pancreas is a gland that creates digestive juices for the intestine. It has long been postulated that the exocrine pancreas cells help support the function and existence of the islets. The corollary is that a diseased exocrine pancreas might have negative influence on islet function. This postulated biology may be at play in cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD), a unique form of diabetes that afflicts many persons who have cystic fibrosis. To test this possibility, researchers at the University of Iowa have studied exocrine pancreas cells grown in cell culture from ferrets with and without cystic fibrosis. The researchers found that the exocrine cells affected by cystic fibrosis secrete different proteins than the healthy cells. Furthermore, some of the differences are expected to impact islet function. The results were published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. Dr. Norris from our division was one of the study authors, along with other scientists.