Children with pancreatic disorders have unique needs requiring specialty care and monitoring. The doctors at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital provide the highest level of comprehensive care to children with pancreatic diseases including specialized imaging, advanced endoscopy, pain management, surgery, and diabetes care. Physicians, nurses, dieticians, psychologists, pharmacists and pain specialists work together as a team to provide family-centered support and individualize care for every patient. University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is the state’s only NPF designated Center of Excellence.
Dr. Aliye Uc is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Medical Director of NPF Iowa Chapter.
She is the lead Investigator of the International Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE (INSPPIRE); the first international multicenter study of pediatric acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis. Improving the lives of children has always been Dr. Uc’s priority. She became interested in studying the pancreas due to lack of information and treatment options available for pediatric pancreatitis. Dr. Katie Larson Ode is a pediatric endocrinologist who focuses on cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus and pancreatogenic diabetes. As an INSPPIRE investigator, she is assisting to identify the biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatogenic diabetes in children and determine the risk factors for early progression.
The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital became a National Pancreas Foundation pancreatitis center of excellence in July 2018. Being an NPF center allows the sites to reach a larger community than their perimeter, empower families to connect with others and provide them with resources and learning opportunities. “For our center, being an NPF center is an achievement and dedication to the life-long commitment of improving the lives of children with pancreatitis,” said Dr. Uc.
This article was originally published by The National Pancreas Foundation in their 'Centers of Excellence: Summer Edition' newsletter distributed on Monday, August 2, 2021.