New South Side Diabetes Outpatient Clinic Opens At Advocate Trinity

CHICAGO — A new outpatient clinic to address the high rate of diabetes on Chicago’s South Side has opened on the fifth floor at Advocate Trinity Hospital, 2320 E. 93rd St., Chicago.

The new outpatient clinic is intended to help South Side residents effectively manage Type 1, Type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes. Given the significantly higher-rate of diabetes-related deaths in the predominantly Black community surrounding Advocate Trinity compared to North Side residents, Advocate Health Care expects the new clinic to play a key role in advancing health equity.

The multidisciplinary Diabetes Wellness Program provides a personalized care plan for every patient as well as guidance on nutrition, medications, exercise and lifestyle recommendations for blood sugar management and avoiding complications. Clinic services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, a nurse practitioner, dietitian, diabetes educator and other health professionals.

Advocate Trinity Hospital President Michelle Y. Blakely, PhD., said Advocate Trinity’s new diabetes clinic is in response to the devastating fact that diabetes is causing a significant amount of suffering in the South Side community.

“By bringing personalized care, resources and support into one easy-to-access location, we can help people with diabetes feel healthier, potentially decrease their dependence on medications and live longer,” Blakely said in a news release.

Residents of the South Side of Chicago are four times more likely to experience uncontrolled diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to other serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, blindness and death.

A variety of factors contribute to the widespread occurrence of diabetes on the South Side, including social challenges that stand in the way of good health, such as limited access to healthy food and medication. To help position every patient for better clinical outcomes, eligible diabetes patients in-need may be connected to existing Advocate programs that distribute healthy foods and medication assistance.

“Our hope is that the diabetes clinic will save lives,” said Dezaree Pearson, vice president of Clinical Operations and chief nursing officer at Advocate Trinity. “We are ready to meet patients wherever they are on their journey with diabetes, and start working, together, to control their diabetes, however possible.”

People with diabetes and pre-diabetes are eligible to find care at the new clinic with a doctor’s referral. Learn more about Advocate Trinity’s Diabetes Endocrinology services.