Diabetes patients in eastern CT, western RI, and Fishers Island, NY now have access to the" Gold Standard" for diabetes care in America.

The Harvard Medical School-affiliated Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston is the world leader in diabetes treatment, education, and research. Through an affiliate program in Connecticut, Lawrence & Memorial is now providing New London County with a comprehensive diabetes management program. In central Connecticut, the program is offered at New Britain General Hospital and at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in the western part of the state.

As a Joslin patient, you are the center of a team of experts. Choosing Joslin means choosing an international network of centers led by the world renown Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

Our Joslin physicians have been granted 3 year recognition as of October, 2006, for the second consecutive time by the American Diabetes Association/National Committee for Quality Assurance Provider Recognition Program.

The Joslin Diabetes Center's Education Program has been awarded continued Recognition from the American Diabetes Association in accordance with the National Standards for Diabetes Self Management Education Programs.

Mission: Provide state of the art diabetes & endocrine medical care within a team setting

Vision: Be the provider of choice for diabetes & endocrine services in response to the community's needs and new research findings

Values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Stewardship

Endocrinology Services Available

Physician consultation for patients with the following:

• Thyroid disorders involving the treatment of patients with thyroid concern or hyperthyroid with radioactive iodide
• Osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases
• Calcium disorders involving disorders of parathyroid function and vitamin D metabolism
• Adrenal disease
• Pituitary/hypothalamic neuroendocrine disorders
• Selected disorders of testicular and ovarian function

All physicians providing endocrine consultation services are Board certified or Board eligible in the sub-specialty of endocrinology and metabolism.

Endocrine laboratory testing, including stimulation tests, can typically be done on site at the Joslin Center or at one of L&M's Hospital-based laboratories.

Services Available

• Physician Consultation
  • Intensive diabetes management
  • Comprehensive endocrine services
  • Preconception counseling & pregnancy diabetes management
  • Insulin pump initiation & management
  • Inpatient & outpatient services
• Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Education
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• On Site Laboratory
• Counseling Services
• Group & Individual Programs
• Days & Evenings

History of the Joslin Diabetes Center

The Joslin Diabetes Center was founded in 1898 in Boston by famed diabetes specialist Elliot Joslin, M.D. Joslin is now the world leader in diabetes research, treatment, and education. After a century of constant experimentation and refinement, the Joslin system for controlling diabetes is used throughout the world today by clinicians who understand it's the key to the very best possible patient outcomes. Joslin and its affiliates have treated more than 280,000 patients.

The Joslin System

• Developed the approach of using a team of specialists
• First to champion the frequent administration of long-and-short-acting insulins
• First to champion frequent monitoring of sugar concentrations, both in the urine and later in the blood
• Leading the treatment for diabetic eye disorders

How the Joslin System Works

The Joslin System relies on a hand-picked team of specialists to provide both inpatients and outpatients with a comprehensive approach to the management of their diabetes. Whatever a patient's particular need, the Joslin Team will assemble the right group to best treat it. The approach is based on empowering patients by teaching them how to manage their own care.

The team includes the following specialists:

• Diabetologist/Endocrinologist - A physician who specializes in diabetes and is responsible for the patients overall care and treatment

• Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Specially trained specialist who assists the diabetologist in meeting the diabetic patient's needs.

• Diabetes Nurse Educator - Works with patients to provide the latest research and information most helpful to empower them to manage their illness. This specialist is a crucial part of the team and works with patients to answer questions.

• Registered Dietitian - Assists the patient in designing a meal plan that will manage the diabetes. The dietitian takes a realistic approach by balancing the physical needs of the people with diabetes, their lifestyle, budget, and culture.

• Other Lawrence & Memorial Specialists - To treat diabetes-related disorders, the Joslin team works with staff ophthalmologists, podiatrists, exercise physiologists, kidney specialists, mental health professionals, and others to ensure the best patient care.

The Joslin Diabetes Center Team

Meet the Joslin Diabetes Center hand-picked team of specialists.

Medical Director Diabetes: Dr. Stephen Quevedo

Diabetologists/Endocrinologists:
Dr. Saul Neuman

Center Manager:
Trish Pugsley, RN, CDE

Adult Nurse Practitioner/Certified Diabetes Educator:
Randi Kington, A.P.R.N., C.D.E.

Certified Diabetes Educators
Ruth Carr, MS, RN, CDE, CHt
Carol Patterson, RN, BS, CDE
Patricia Pugsley, MS, RN,
Elaine Sullivan, MS, RN, CDE

Registered Dietitians:
Ellie Comeau, BS, RD, CDE
Karen Kaplan, BS, RD, CDE

Scheduling Coordinator
Lisa Blonar

Signs of Diabetes

Do you or someone you know have diabetes?

You never want to wait for signs of diabetes. In fact, most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However, if you or a family member should have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss

Diabetes is a silent disease. By the time it is diagnosed, damage to arteries, eyes, nerves and kidneys has been going on for seven to 10 years. These are the years without symptoms. Overall, one out of three Americans does not know that they have diabetes.

What are the risk factors?

You are higher at risk if:

• You are age 45 and older
• Member of a high-risk ethnic group (e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
• You are overweight
• You have high blood pressure (at or above 140/90)
• You have a family history of diabetes
• You have a history of diabetes during pregnancy or you are a woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Educational Options

Diabetes Basics: A two hour group session is the best way to get help quickly by learning basic strategies to manage your diabetes, including healthy food choices and identifying which Center services will best meet your needs. (Nominal Fee: $20)

Know Diabetes/Know Yourself. A comprehensive five session class series covering all aspects of diabetes management; the focus is on changing behaviors to help people better manage their disease (covered by most insurance)

Small Group Skill Instruction: Learn to check your own blood sugar (covered by most insurance).

Support Group: Talk about your diabetes problems and share your solutions with others (free).

Individual Outpatient Appointments: Scheduled with nurse, dietitian, exercise physiologist (covered by some insurance or fee for service).

Contact Information

For more information call the Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital at 860.444.4737 or toll free at 877.JOSLIN1.

Email to joslin@lmhosp.org

Directions

New London Office

The New London Office is located at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital on Level 2 of the Smith Center for Ambulatory Care. Use the Emergency Room entrance on Faire Harbour Place, taking the "peach" elevator to the second floor.

From New York, Old Saybrook, and the Lymes:

Take I-95 north to exit 82A, Frontage Road. Keep right and follow to Colman Street exit (Route 1 south). Turn left onto Colman Street.

At the end of Colman, turn right onto Bank Street, then an immediate left onto Lee Avenue. At the end of Lee, turn right onto Ocean Avenue. Go through one stop light, then turn left at the fourth street onto Faire Harbour Place.

Patient drop-off area will be on the right under the large canopy. After drop-off, parking is available in the Garage on your right or adjacent Hospital lots.

From Providence & Boston area:

Take I-95 south to exit 83, Frontage Road. Take Colman Street exit and turn left onto Colman Street. Follow second paragraph of the directions From New York, Old Saybrook and the Lymes.

From Hartford:

Take Route 2 east to Route 11, follow to the end. At the end of the exit ramp turn left on to Route 82. At the light (Salem Four Corners) turn right onto Route 85. Continue south for approximately 12 miles into New London. Turn right at traffic light onto Colman Street (Route 213). Follow second paragraph of the directions From New York, Old Saybrook and the Lymes.

From Worcester/Norwich:

Take I-395 south to exit 78 to Route 32. Follow Route 32 into downtown New London where it becomes Eugene O'Neill Drive and then Green Street. Turn left at the end onto Tilley Street and a right onto Bank Street at the fire station. Follow Bank Street to the fourth stop light and turn left at Shalett's Cleaners onto Montauk Avenue. Proceed approx. 1 mile to Faire Harbour Place, turn right. Patient drop-off area will be on the left under the large canopy. After drop-off, parking is available in the Garage on your right or in the adjacent Hospital parking lots.

Directions to the Mystic Office

The Mystic Office is located across the street from the Mystic Hilton in McQuade's Marketplace, below McQuade's Market and two doors from West Marine.

Take I-95 to exit 90, Mystic Aquarium exit. Go south on Route 27 to the traffic light at Coogan Boulevard, turn left. Proceed to Clara Drive just before Mystic Hilton, turn right. Enter the second driveway on the right. Park in the lot in front of the building. The entrance is the corner office on the left as you face the building.