The mission of the Children's Endocrinology Center is to provide state of the art diabetes education and management to families in the North Texas Area. We utilize a team approach which includes a variety of healthcare specialists to address the needs of this population.
ADA Recognition
Appointment Information
Emergency Contact Information
Our Physicians
Our Diabetes Staff
Diabetes Education
Diabetes Camps
Diabetes Educational Literature and Helpful Forms
ADA Recognition
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate was awarded to our diabetes program July 2003 (through July 2006) based on our achievement of national ADA standards regarding the quality of our individualized self- management education program for patients and families. Our program was recently re-certified through July 2009.
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Appointment Information
New Patients: Appointments for new diabetes patients are scheduled via (214) 456-5945. A new patient appointment will include a physician appointment and the JumpStart Diabetes Education class. If your child is newly diagnosed, request your physician contact the Endocrine fellow on call for a more prompt entry into our education and management services.
Established Patients: Access the Call Center at (214) 456-5959 for the next available appointment with your physician. Please be aware that our providers stay very booked up. If you must miss a scheduled appointment, please call to cancel the existing appointment as you reschedule your new appointment.
Insulin Resistance Clinic: This is a clinic devoted to the evaluation and treatment of children with a high risk of developing diabetes focusing on those with obesity and other known risk factors (family history, ethnic background, and acanthosis nigricans). Due to the rise in obesity and parallel increase in incidence of type 2 diabetes in children much research is now indicating an unparalleled need for clinicians to intervene. The Insulin Resistance Clinic has been designed to begin the care for these children in a timely and directed fashion, targeting diet and exercise as the primary mode of therapy for those without clinical diabetes and medical therapy for those with impaired glucose tolerance or frank diabetes. Please be aware that patients are seen in this clinic on a referral basis only. Your physician must complete a protocol and refer your child based on the results. The insulin resistance clinic is offered at the Dallas location only.
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Emergency Contact Information
(for established patients only)
A Physician (or diabetes educator) is on call 24 hours per day. Call (214) 456-5959 and ask to speak with the on call physician or educator. Emergency calls only are taken after normal business hours. Routine patient needs are handled during the business day.
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Our Physicians
Perrin C. White, M.D.
Bryan A. Dickson, M.D.
Ernesto M. Fernandez, M.D.
Melissa R. Ham, M.D.
Michele R. Hutchison, M.D., Ph.D.
Ellen C. Kaizer, M.D.
Bassil M. Kublaoui, M.D., Ph.D.
Sudha L. Mootha, M.D.
Jon D. Oden, M.D.
Grace M. Tannin, M.D.
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Our Diabetes Staff
Advance Practice Nurses
Marilyn Cox, M.S.N., R.N., C.D.E.
Diabetes Nurse Educators
Angie Burris, R.N.
Karen Linder, R.N.
Marsha MacKenzie, R.D., C.D.E.
Jim Penn, R.N.
Jamie Wacasey, R.N.
Gloria Young, R.N.
Diabetes Nurses
Dianna "Kim" Jernigan, R.N.
Educators
Russell Graham
Preethy Varghese, R.N.
Dietitians
Kamesha Burell, M.A., R.D., L.D.
Elisabeth "Beth" Ward
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Diabetes Education
Our Diabetes education program is taught by a team of specialists, of whom many are Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE). A CDE is a credential conferred by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). The CDE credential signifies a health care professional's competency in distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality care for persons with diabetes. The credential is obtained voluntarily and must be renewed in 5-year increments with specialized continuing education units or a board certified exam. Currently our staff includes six CDEs within nursing, dietetics (nutrition), and pharmacy disciplines.
Survival level education includes information essential to a new diagnosis of diabetes. This one -on -one class is offered 7 days a week as needed. This class is frequently taught in the hospital when your child is newly diagnosed with diabetes. All care givers are encouraged to participate.
Diabetes 101 class is an 8 hour group class that builds on the basic information provided in the survival education class. Information is presented by a team including diabetes educator, dietitian, social worker, and research nurse. This class is usually on held on Wednesday. Patients, family, and other care givers are encouraged to participate. You will be scheduled for this class by your diabetes educator.
Take Charge: Intensive Insulin Management class is an advanced class designed to help you/your child successfully manage your childs diabetes. The focus of this class is on building skills to increase flexibility in the diabetes management plan. Alternative insulin and insulin delivery systems ( the insulin pump) are discussed. Parents and older children are invited to make an appointment for this Monday afternoon class. (As this is a 3 hour class, younger children may have difficulty participating.) Schedule this class via (214) 456-5959.
Pump Mechanics and Management is the hands-on/how-to class for patients who have attended the Intensive Insulin Management Class and have completed prerequisites for insulin pump therapy. This class is scheduled by the diabetes educator. Once you have received your pump from the manufacturer, contact the diabetes educator to schedule the class. This class includes two sessions: all day Thursday for 9am until 4pm and the following Monday morning from 9am to 12 noon.
Nutrition Appointments are available if your child is currently a patient in the Endocrinology clinic. If you and your child need to focus on your meal plan, you can schedule a nutrition appointment with the Registered / Licensed Dietitian at (214) 456-5242.
Jumpstart Education Class is offered to patients who are new to our clinic, having transferred from another Endocrinologist. Topics include a review of diabetes basics, and information specific to our clinic. This class is offered on an as needed basis and will be scheduled when you schedule your initial physician appointment.
KidFit is a class designed for patients and families with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. This class is scheduled by your Endocrinologist. The entire family is encouraged to participate, as many of the goals for diabetes care involve lifestyle changes all family members can participate in.
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Diabetes Camps
Diabetes camps offer a wonderful opportunity for the child with diabetes to participate in a fun and safe camp environment, learn about living with diabetes, and meet other children living with diabetes. Two camps are available locally.
Camp Sweeney : Camp Sweeney is a sleep-over camp targeting campers from age 6 to 18 with diabetes. Several camp sessions are offered throughout the summer and winter. Camp Sweeney also offers a fall and spring family camp to introduce new campers and their families to the facility. For more information see: www.campsweeney.org.
Camp New Horizons: Camp New Horizons is a day camp sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and Children's Endocrinology Center. This camp targets children between the age of 4 and 12. In addition to camp activities for the kids, the camp offers a parent education time, a family picnic, and a carnival and products fair on the last day of camp. For more information, see www.diabetes.org.
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