The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Westchester County Chapter today announced a two year partnership to collaborate on community outreach and educational programs to improve the health outcomes of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). 

“This collaboration will allow our talented team of clinicians in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes to expand their efforts and share critical education and resources with patients, parents, and health care providers throughout Westchester County,” said Judy Aschner, M.D., physician-in-chief, CHAM and professor and Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair of pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. “JDRF is renowned for their research and educational efforts to advance the care of people with type 1 diabetes and we are thrilled to work with them to improve outcomes for children with diabetes in Westchester County and surrounding areas.” 

As part of the CHAM/JDRF partnership, clinicians from the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes will present at monthly parent meetings facilitated by JDRF. The meetings cover a variety of topics relating to the care of children with T1D, such as nutrition, medication and devices and psycho-social issues. Families are able to ask questions, discuss concerns and share experiences with the healthcare professionals and each other. 

Another element of the new partnership is the School Nurse Education Program. Nurse Practitioners from CHAM will lead educational programs and provide practical, hands-on guidance to school nurses throughout the 33 school districts in Westchester. The full-day programs provide in-depth training on how to check blood sugar levels, operate pump devices and manage care for children with diabetes in the school environment. 

“T1D impacts thousands of people throughout Westchester,” said Margie Ostrower, Executive Director, Westchester County Chapter of JDRF. “Working with CHAM clinicians will allow us to target the disease on a local level, reinforcing our commitment to improving the lives of people with T1D and emphasizing our position as a leading global organization focused on T1D research.” 

JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, with more than $530 million currently invested in T1D research projects worldwide. JDRF efforts have helped to advance the scientific understanding of T1D with the goal of improving the lives of all people affected by the disease and eventually delivering a world without T1D.