Vanderbilt Diabetes

Diabetes can impact different aspects of your health. Each patient has a unique set of needs related to diabetes care. For this reason Vanderbilt Diabetes brings together a team of specialists to assist in your care.

At Vanderbilt University Medical Center, there is a full range of services; click any of the links below to learn more about how these specialists may be part of your diabetes treatment.

• Cardiologists
• Child life specialists
• Dietitians
• Endocrinologists
• High-risk obstetricians
• Lipidologists

• Nurse practitioners
• Ophthalmologists
• Podiatrists
• Social workers

Cardiologists
Heart disease is a common complication of diabetes. That's why it's important to have cardiologists on the team. They will assess how healthy a patient's heart is. They can also treat problems such as artery blockage.

Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists use a variety of activities to help children, teens, and their families understand and cope with diabetes.

Dietitians
Our registered dietitians offer one-on-one counseling. Your RD will work with you, using nutrition to help you achieve your diabetes and health goals. You will work together as a team to come up with a personal plan.

Endocrinology
Endocrinologists are your main resource for diabetes treatment. They coordinate the other specialists.

High-Risk Obstetricians
Some women have diabetes when pregnant and others develop it during pregnancy. High-risk obstetricians ensure that these patients receive the specialized care they need.

Lipidologists
It is important that diabetic patients understand cholesterol and how to manage it. This education is critical, because heart disease is the most serious complication of diabetes.

Nurse Practitioners
These are advanced practice nurses who help manage diabetes. They perform physician examinations and health assessments. They can also prescribe medications. Our nurse practitioners are certified diabetes educators. They work with the entire diabetes team to develop education and self-management plans for patients and their families.

Ophthalmologists
Diabetes can also cause complications in your eyes. Ophthalmologists treat eye-related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

Podiatrists
Some diabetic patients experience foot problems. Podiatrists can address the wide array of foot-related complications that diabetics may face.

Social Workers
Adjusting to a diabetes diagnosis and coping with managing the disease can be stressful. Social workers help patients and their families adjust to life with diabetes. They also lead support groups and diabetes education.