Clinical Programs
The U-M Pediatric Diabetes team offers comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and resources to help children with diabetes live long, productive lives. Our diabetes program is one of the largest established programs in Michigan. We provide outpatient care for diabetes at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and at the Northville Health Center.
We care for children from newborn through the young adult years, tailoring treatment plans to each individual and their personal needs and lifestyle. We offer a range of diabetes management therapies, including insulin pump or injection based basal/bolus therapy. In addition to insulin therapy, blood glucose monitoring, using blood glucose meters and/or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), is an important part of managing your child's diabetes. We will also work with your family to develop a plan for balanced nutrition and regular exercise. All care is coordinated through a team approach with your child’s primary care physician to ensure complete care for your child every step of the way.
Our program is built on the philosophy that diabetes patients thrive best when they and their families take an active role in their own disease management. Families play an integral role in the treatment plans we design based on the child’s needs and the family’s lifestyle.
Our Mission
The mission of Michigan Medicine is to provide excellence and leadership in the areas of: patient care/services, education, and research. In keeping with this mission, the Pediatric Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services provides evidence based diabetes care and education services that promote self-management, optimal blood glucose control, and prevention of acute and long term complications of diabetes.
We are here to support you as you care for your child’s health. Our goal is to ensure that each child is able to fully participate in all childhood activities and avoid the possible long-term complications of diabetes.
Our commitment to you is to:
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1. Provide the highest quality and most up-to-date medical care through our multidisciplinary team of experts in diabetes care. The multidisciplinary team consists of: a Medical Doctor (MD) trained in diabetes care for children and adolescents, Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Dietitians (RD), Social Workers (MSW), and Psychologist (PhD).
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2. Provide child and family with self-management knowledge to make informed decisions and to maintain or improve health and quality of life through your own initiative.
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3. Empower your child and family with self-management skills fostering independence and improved quality of life.
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4. Provide a Diabetes Medical Management Plan for School (DMMP) every year.
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5. Provide education and resources that are age appropriate as your child grows.
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6. To return phone calls regarding diabetes management. Please visit the Contact page for details of how to get in touch. Calls are screened and managed by nurses and dietitians that are trained in the acute management of diabetes problems. The nurses and dietitians will determine if physician contact is necessary based on the clinical need.​
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7. Provide active patients under our management with a complete set of prescriptions once a year.
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8. Assist in a successful transition to adult Diabetes care.
We are a team! Your commitment to your child and to the Pediatric Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services is essential to the goal of improving the health and quality of life for your child. Patients and families do best with diabetes care when they take an active role in their own management.
Diabetes Education
Education and training are critical components of the U-M Pediatric Diabetes program. We provide in-depth instruction for families on how to manage diabetes with a focus on giving families confidence in their ability to manage their child's disease. Self-management is a cornerstone of our program, empowering patients and families to make informed decisions on how to maintain or improve health and quality of life through their own initiative. Families will learn self-management skills and learn to make lifestyle changes so that children can participate fully in all activities while avoiding long-term complications. Our program also offers resources to help families address the special needs of children with diabetes in the school setting, working collaboratively with school personnel to meet these needs.
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Our diabetes education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and has been certified by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) since June 2001. The recognition and certification process is based on National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education, American Diabetes Association, and MDCH requirements.​
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The U-M Pediatric Diabetes education program includes group classes for children, adolescents, and families. See below for descriptions of our class offerings. Please note that some classes are only offered on an as needed basis.
We are currently working on exciting updates to the D3 program!
Stay tuned for more information.
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This diabetes education program includes:​
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1. Virtual Class: Led by Dr. Joyce Lee, MD, MPH and/or a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), this one-time class held over live videoconference will provide training on viewing, interpreting, and utilizing diabetes data for self-management.
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2. Online Hub: Participants will also have access (through an online education website called Canvas) to comprehensive educational videos and materials that cover topics including: how to download device data, how to interpret diabetes data and recognize patterns, understanding insulin dosing and how behaviors can affect blood sugar, and how to adjust insulin doses.
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For a limited time, there is no charge to participate.
Please note: Your child must be a patient of the U-M Pediatric Diabetes Clinic to enroll.​
Class Registration
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Classes are held weekdays in the new Pediatric Diabetes Education Rooms 2386 & 2387, on Level 2 of the Taubman Center, inside the lobby where the Java Spot coffee shop is located, just outside the entrance to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Call (734) 764-5175 to register.
Cost & Insurance Information
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Current rates are $68.00 per half hour for groups and $172.00 per half hour for individuals. Prices are subject to change and will depend on insurance coverage.
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Before attending the diabetes education session, please call your insurance company to verify insurance coverage for diabetes education classes, clinic visits, and necessary lab work. Our prices are subject to change. Insurance coverage for the clinical care you receive from us varies depending on your benefit plan. Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Diabetes Transition Program
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Transitioning from pediatric care to adult care can be an intimidating prospect for many adolescents with diabetes and their families. Many of our patients have been with the U-M Pediatric Diabetes program for several years – some since infancy or toddlerhood – so working with a new diabetes team is understandably anxiety-provoking. Additionally, the prospect of transitioning out of being a part of the child’s day-to-day care can be a stressful experience for many parents. As parents, being involved in the transition process and getting familiar with the clinic that will be caring for their child, can help you better support your child during this critical time period.
Our Diabetes Transition Program was designed by passionate U-M pediatric and adult endocrinology team members with the goal of empowering young adults to transition into adult life successfully. It consists of a Transition Orientation followed by a Transition Clinic Visit (see below for more information).
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If you are looking to transition to an endocrinologist closer to your home, you can use the American Diabetes Association (ADA) website to find endocrinology programs by zip code.
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Transition Orientation
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As part of the transition experience, patients attend a class with peers and adult endocrinology providers. The open-discussion format of the session covers topics including: living on your own with diabetes; college life and diabetes; staying safe and healthy; managing diabetes and social pressures such as alcohol, drugs, and sex; how to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); diabetes and sick days; how to order diabetes supplies and communicate with insurance companies; and possible complications related to diabetes. Patients also receive an orientation to the U-M Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes (MEND) Adult Clinic.
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Transition Clinic Visit
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After attending the orientation class, patients are seen in the adult clinic for their transition visit. The U-M Pediatric Diabetes team works closely with the U-M MEND Adult Clinic team to help make the transition to adult care as seamless as possible. Learn more about the University of Michigan adult endocrinology providers who see pediatric transition patients, below.