The Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center opened in 1984 for the purpose of improving the lives of people with diabetes through education at all levels, original research, and direct patient services.  It is our goal to provide services in a compassionate, caring manner, while maintaining the highest professional standards.  Our programs are targeted to anyone with diabetes who is motivated, or can be motivated, to develop self-care skills, and to those who support the person with diabetes.  The Center is located in a pleasant physical setting, within a world-famous medical center.

Education includes, most generally, helping the person with diabetes develop to their full potential.  Patient education is integral to good care, and is a responsibility of the health care professions.  By example and by professional education programs, the Center personnel also teach a wide range of trainees, including medical students, nursing and dietetic students, residents, and fellows in endocrinology.  Continuing medical education programs disseminate information about good diabetes management to physicians and other health care professionals.

Original research is carried out by much of the professional staff affiliated with the Center, both as a part of their regular academic life and at the Center itself.  Projects accomplished on the Center deal with evaluation of program efficacy, developing new approaches to screening for eye disease, testing new teaching techniques and evaluating psychosocial aspects of diabetes, and, particularly, trying new approaches to the treatment of diabetes and related diseases.

Excellence in patient care is a primary interest of all Center personnel.  Direct care is provided for the participants in our programs while they are at the Center.  Many, but by no means all, participants remain under the care of Center physicians.  In every case, Center staff facilitates good on-going care.  

Close working relationships have developed with other members of the Johns Hopkins family such as the Wilmer Eye Institute and the School of Hygiene and Public health, and with outside agencies such as the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the American Diabetes Association.  These relationships assure that the best resources are applied to the education and care of people with diabetes.