Diabetes Care: Kovler Diabetes Center

Advancing Diabetes Care and Accelerating Discovery
Managing the symptoms of diabetes can be a lifelong battle, but you don’t need to face it alone. Experts at UChicago Medicine’s Kovler Diabetes Center are ready to provide people with diabetes the comprehensive, immersive healthcare they need throughout their lifetime. We strive to help patients manage not only their diabetes, but also the challenges to social and emotional health that often accompany chronic illness.
World-Class Diabetes Care in Chicago
UChicago Medicine offers a patient-centered, science-based approach for managing insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetes, complex Type 2 diabetes, gestational, pre-diabetes and monogenic diabetes.
Our multidisciplinary team works with patients and referring physicians to address all the challenges of diabetes, from hypertension and vascular problems to foot conditions and kidney disease.
With a dedicated group of certified diabetes specialists, we provide the latest in diabetes education and teach our patients vital self-management skills. We offer second opinions and ongoing treatment for people living with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is the most common disorder of the body’s endocrine system, and is characterized by consistently high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood because the body cannot properly process food for use as energy.
When we eat, most of the food is broken down into glucose, which the body uses for growth and energy. A hormone called insulin moves glucose from the bloodstream into individual cells, giving each cell the energy it needs to function.
In people with diabetes, one of two problems can occur:
- The pancreas produces too little insulin, or no insulin.
- The cells of the body do not respond appropriately to the insulin in the bloodstream.
The end result is too much glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream. Consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems, including blindness, kidney failure and nerve pain.
Our Kovler Diabetes Center Mission
The Kovler Diabetes Center continues to build on more than 100 years of diabetes patient care and research at the University of Chicago. Our mission is to provide holistic treatment, care and education that empower our patients to effectively manage their diabetes for a lifetime. We pursue this mission through four pillars: Clinical Care, Education, Community Outreach, and Research.

Diabetes Clinical Care
Every patient is different. Meet some of our faculty and staff members, and let’s work together to create a highly individualized treatment plan to manage your symptoms.

Diabetes Education
We aim to equip both professionals and patients with all the available knowledge and understanding about diabetes.

Community Outreach
Our faculty, staff and leadership board help Kovler stay connected to the greater Chicago community. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to learn about our upcoming community events! Our partnerships with local organizations also enhance the health of the overall community and improve outcomes.

Diabetes Research
Learn about the breakthrough discoveries at Kovler Diabetes Center that help scientists around the world better understand diabetes, its causes and its genetic foundation. These discoveries can be applied to measurably improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.

Nationally Ranked in Diabetes and Endocrinology
According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 Rankings

High Performing in Diabetes
According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 Rankings
Diabetes Care at UChicago Medicine
Request an Appointment
We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-888-824-0200 to schedule your appointment.
If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
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Diabetes Awareness: Expert Q&A
UChicago Medicine experts answer questions about diabetes; the symptoms, who is at high risk, and how our Kovler Diabetes Center helps diabetes patients through holistic treatments and education.