The Texas Diabetes Institute (TDI) was established in 1993 with support from University Health System, the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and the Texas Diabetes Council, a division of the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas Diabetes Institute is a world-class complex addressing not just the disease but also the life and lifestyle of the patient, the family and the community.

All in this one location, family physicians, endocrinologists, renal specialists, orthopaedists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, podiatrists, and wound care specialists work together to help patients with diabetes manage their disease and reduce their chances of developing its serious, even deadly, complications.

Five distinct, yet integrated, centers of excellence comprise the work and the goals of the the Texas Diabetes Institute: health promotion, patient education, professional training, treatment and diabetes research.

Our patient care and community amenities include an auditorium, café and grill, demonstration kitchen, fitness center and chapel. In addition, our facility has state-of-the-art research laboratories, four hyperbaric chambers, 28-station outpatient renal dialysis clinic, pharmacy, and a clinic for each medical specialty. Providing all of these services at one location contributes to our multidisciplinary approach to patient care in Bexar County and South Texas. As we continue to grow, we continue to reinvent ourselves.

Serving as a referral center for newly diagnosed patients, we work hard to enhance diabetes awareness and promote healthy lifestyles. We have established training programs and clinical investigative studies to educate health professionals to provide the highest quality of diabetes care for our patients.

Centers of Excellence:

Health Promotion

Creating awareness of high-risk factors associated with diabetes, conducting screenings for early detection and providing information on nutrition and weight maintenance are all key to preventing diabetes.

The Health Promotion Program works with individuals and groups in the community to create community-based initiatives for the prevention of Diabetes. The health promotion staff actively works with local schools, community groups and leaders, managed care providers and other health care organizations to create new approaches to diabetes prevention and health promotion.

Education

The Education Department offers bilingual (English/Spanish) diabetes and nutrition education at University Health System facilities throughout Bexar County. Education is one of the most powerful tools in helping individuals make lifestyle changes to live successfully with diabetes. Individual appointments are available with certified diabetes education nurses and dietitians. Group classes on living well with diabetes, pre-diabetes, weight loss and low fat, heart healthy eating are available at variety of locations.

Our education facilities include classrooms, an auditorium, teaching kitchen, and fitness center. These facilities provide the setting for learning about diabetes self-management, from blood glucose monitoring to a healthy diet and exercise. The Texas Diabetes Institute Education department is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for top quality diabetes education.

Continuing Education Program

The quality of care provided to people with diabetes often depends on the expertise of the health care provider they see. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program offers state-of-the art learning opportunities for nurses, physician assistants, dieticians, social workers, pharmacists and other health care providers. Education programs are also provided for non-licensed and para-professionals who work with diabetes prevention, diabetes education and health promotion. In addition to our annual "Diabetes Update" conference we also feature a program for the certified diabetes educator twice a year called "Meeting the Standards, A Comprehensive Review for Diabetes Educators."

Treatment

The Diabetes Treatment Center offers outpatient medical evaluation and treatment of diabetes and endocrine disorders by board-certified endocrinologists. On-site ophthalmology, podiatry, obstetrical and children's endocrinology services are offered. Nurse case mangers serve as the patient's link to TDI and assist in ensuring that all relevant services are provided to the patient and family. Individual, group and family counseling is provided by licensed master's level social workers. State-of-the art equipment includes four hyperbaric chambers with a wound care clinic to a 28-station renal dialysis center. Diagnostic and support services for the various disciplines include laboratories, EKG, X-ray rooms, pharmacy and a rehabilitation area.

Research

The Diabetes Research Center is an integral part of TDI. Our diabetes research team utilizes the most current and emerging technology to unlock the biochemical and molecular mysteries of diabetes mellitus. To better understand the disease and its treatment strategies, research is conducted for all types of diabetes. However, due to the incidence of Diabetes and Obesity in Bexar County the research team has an extensive research focus on Type 2 Diabetes to determine the efficacy of exercise in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes; to evaluate non-invasive glucose monitoring techniques; to evaluate new drugs for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and its complications; and to identify the gene or genes that cause Type 2 Diabetes. A state-of-the-art research laboratory is also part of the center where innovative techniques are used to assess the aspects of glucose, protein and lipid metabolism.