Personalized Care for You

In the Adult Clinic at BIDMC at Joslin Diabetes Center, each new patient is assigned to a care team made up of endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses, dietitians and exercise physiologists, all of whom are certified diabetes educators. This multi-disciplinary approach ensure people with diabetes get the most advanced medical care, education and aggressive prevention and management of complications.

Our team works with you to manage your diabetes by creating a personalized care plan, based on your unique health profile and lifestyle. We will work directly with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers throughout your experience at Joslin.

If you’re an adult living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s possible to manage your condition and live a long, healthy life. Patients from all over the world visit the Adult Clinic at BIDMC at Joslin Diabetes Center to manage their condition, prevent complications, and learn the latest wellness techniques.

Your Journey at Joslin

Discover how our patient care approach stands out and why people from all over the world visit Joslin for treatment and ongoing care.

Our doctors rely on several different approaches to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes:

  • A1C: This test measures your average blood glucose for the past couple of months. It doesn’t require you to fast or drink a special liquid. If you have an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5%, you will be diagnosed with diabetes.
     
  • Fasting plasma glucose (FPG): This diagnostic test requires you to fast for at least eight hours before the test, so it’s usually done in the morning before you eat breakfast. An FPG will test your fasting bloog glucose levels. If your levels are 126 mg/dl or higher, you will be diagnosed with diabetes. 
     
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): The OGTT checks your blood glucose levels before and two hours after you drink a special liquid. With this test, your doctor can learn how your body processes glucose. If your two-hour blood glucose level is 200 mg/dl or higher, you will be diagnosed with diabetes.
     
  • Random (casual) plasma glucose test: This is a blood test that can be done at any time. Doctors will often order this test for patients with severe diabetes symptoms. If the test reports a blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl, you will be diagnosed with diabetes.

Our treatment approach is different for every patient — and varies depending on whether a patient is diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. That’s because every one of our patients has unique healthcare needs. In general, we we’ve found these techniques help our patients thrive and enjoy better health:

  • Monitoring blood sugar: We ask our patients to monitor and record their blood sugar throughout the day. This makes sure their blood sugar levels stay in check. We also offer regular A1C testing at our clinic. 
     
  • Insulin therapy: Many people with type 1 diabetes, as well as some people with type 2 diabetes, need insulin therapy. We offer a range of the latest insulin therapies, and your doctor will work with you to find the right approach.
     
  • Medication: Sometimes we prescribe oral or injected medications to support the pancreas and release insulin, or prevent the release of glucose from the liver. Your doctor will talk with you about available medication options and if they’re right for you.
     
  • Nutrition counseling: Our team includes a registered dietitian who can prepare a specialized nutrition plan for you. You can work together to understand the types of foods you should eat, how much, and how often. 
     
  • Exercise plans: Regular exercise can help regulate your blood sugar levels. Plus, exercise can give you more energy and supports your mental wellbeing. An exercise physiologist will prescribe a doable exercise plan that includes activities you enjoy.
     
  • Specialty care, when needed: We are in close proximity to some of Boston’s top hospital and specialists. When needed, we partner with experts at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for bariatric surgery, transplantation, and other specialized care.

Educating patients is a big part of what we do at Joslin. Our experienced nurse educators offer one-on-one consultations with patients, as well as group classes. In our classes, we cover important topics, such as:

  • The basics of diabetes
  • Your first steps in living with diabetes
  • Creating an exercise plan
  • Healthy foods to eat
  • How to use an insulin pump
  • New technologies that treat diabetes
  • And much more

Our patients become lifelong members of the Joslin family. We work with them throughout their lives to help keep diabetes under control. This starts with careful blood glucose monitoring — both throughout the day and through regular A1C testing.

Because lifestyle changes make a big impact on diabetes, our dietitians and exercise physiologists will help you maintain your health going forward. We’ll recommend adjustments to your exercise routine and diet, as needed, and do everything possible to keep complications at bay.

As a Joslin patient, you’ll be welcomed by our whole team, get to know our staff, and be invited to patient events and activities. Joslin patients receive more than just treatment for diabetes — they experience lifelong support and community.

Adult Care Specialties

Our team works with you to manage your diabetes by creating a personalized care plan, based on your unique health profile and lifestyle.

Diabetic young woman preparing for a run

Young Adult Care

Joslin offers a specialized clinic for young adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The specialists in our Young Adult Clinic understand the unique needs of pre-teens, teens, and younger adults — and customize treatment approaches just for them.

Pregnant woman at doctors office

Pregnancy Program

Having a baby is one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. But, a diagnosis of diabetes can make it more stressful. The team at Joslin treats pregnant women with diabetes so they can enjoy peace of mind during pregnancy and have a healthy baby.

Senior Black Man Exercising Outdoors with Dumbells

Geriatric Program

Older patients have unique challenges when managing their diabetes. By providing exceptional care, we ensure that you or your loved ones have the tools they need to meet those challenges.

Doctor consulting with Joslin patient

Specialty Programs

Joslin offers easy access to leading medical specialists within our center. Our adult care specialty programs include:

Joslin Doctor examining Joslin patient.

Your Care Team

At Joslin, your team has some of the world's top experts, dedicated to curing diabetes and entirely focused on caring for you and your family.

Diabetes Educator with Joslin AADI patient discussing nutrition.

Managing Your Diabetes

It takes more than medicine to manage diabetes, so we'll partner with you and your family to teach you the tools that will help you for life.

Meet our Specialists

No one has more experience treating diabetes and its complications than the staff of the Joslin Clinic.

Elizabeth Bashoff
Elizabeth Bashoff, MD
Senior Staff Physician
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Richard Beaser
Richard Beaser, MD
Senior Staff Physician
Clinical Investigator
Medical Director, Continuing Medical Education
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Florence Brown
Florence Brown, MD
Staff Physician
Co-Director Joslin and BIDMC Diabetes in Pregnancy Program
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Nuha Ali El Sayed
Nuha Ali El Sayed, MD, MMSc
Staff Physician
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Jason Gaglia
Jason Gaglia, MD, MMSc
Assistant Investigator and Staff Physician
Section Head, Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research
Director of Hood Center for the Prevention of Childhood Diabetes
Co-Director, Clinical Translational Research Core
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Om Ganda
Om Ganda, MD
Clinical Investigator and Senior Staff Physician
Medical Director of the Lipid Clinic
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Elizabeth Halprin
Elizabeth Halprin, MD
Staff Physician
Section Chief, Adult Diabetes
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Osama Hamdy
Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD
Senior Staff Physician
Director of International Medical Affairs
Medical Director, Obesity Clinic Program and Inpatient Diabetes Program
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Susan Herzlinger-Botein
Susan Herzlinger-Botein, MD
Research Associate and Staff Physician
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Fioralda Kico
Fioralda Kico, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Cara Kilroy
Cara Kilroy, MSN, ANP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Maria Koen, Nurse Practitioner
Maria Koen, FNP
Nurse Practitioner
No image available
Joan Larrabee, MD
Staff Physician
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Roeland Middelbeek
Roeland Middelbeek, MD
Staff Physician
Assistant Investigator
Associate Program Director, Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, BIDMC-Joslin Diabetes Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Joanna Mitri
Joanna Mitri, MD, MS
Research Associate and Staff Physician
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Director, Care Advisory and Affiliate Programs
Lyle Mitzner
Lyle Mitzner, MD
Staff Physician
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Medha Munshi
Medha Munshi, MD
Staff Physician
Director, Geriatric Diabetes Program
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Nicole Patience
Nicole Patience, MS, RDN, LDN,CDE, CEDRD
Nutrition Educator
Eating Disorder Specialist
Mary Elizabeth Patti
Mary-Elizabeth Patti, MD
Investigator and Staff Physician
Director, Hypoglycemia Clinic
Co-Director, Molecular Phenotyping and Genotyping Core
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Marilyn Ritholz
Marilyn Ritholz, PhD
Senior Psychologist
Assistant Professor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Giulio Romeo
Giulio Romeo, MD
Assistant Investigator and Staff Physician
Associate Medical Director of the Adult Diabetes Section
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Sylvia Rosas
Sylvia Rosas, MD, MSCE
Investigator and Staff Physician
Director, Latino Kidney Clinic
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Shanti Serdy
Shanti Serdy, MD
Staff Physician
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Robert Stanton
Robert Stanton, MD
Investigator and Staff Physician
Chief, Kidney & Hypertension Section
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
William Sullivan
William Sullivan, MD
Senior Staff Physician
Medical Director, Joslin Needham Clinic
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Elena Toschi
Elena Toschi, MD
Research Associate and Staff Physician
Director, Young Adult Program
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Mark Williams
Mark Williams, MD
Senior Staff Physician
Director of Dialysis
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

To make an adult care appointment, call 617-309-2400 or make an appointment online.