Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
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Today is National Doctors’ Day! Have you ever had an endocrinologist that was particularly great? Tell us about what they did that was special in the comments! Cancel reply
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My endo has been great. He has supported me in trying all manner of new therapies over the years.
I was 30 years old, dx’d in the emergency dept – he was the attending Endo at the hospital – after being erroneously Dx’d with T2 (no risk factors for T2 at all – especially no family history) This was in 1965 or so and he knew that the names of the types had changed (or were changing). He also knew that newly Dx’d adults are given an Rx for insulin, syringes and sent on their way with no info as to insulin needs changing, that honeymoons end etc. After discharge from hospital, he met me in his office on a Saturday and spent about 3 hours with me. He said his job had 2 parts: one involved his Rx pad the other was to teach me how to be my own PCP
New here. My son was just diagnosed 11/3. We just met his endo a few weeks ago. But he also has type 1. So my son really lit up that the dr knew what he was talking about and could really understand
My first endocrinologist was the best. His daughter had diabetes so he not only understood the medical aspects, but he also understood the day to day life of actually living with diabetes. Unfortunately, he only saw adolescents and I out grew his office.
Helped when I asked for it, left me to manage T1 myself otherwise, and wrote insulin and supply prescriptions with zero hassle.
My wonderful Endo would start each office visit asking me what I wanted to discuss. He tried to be my partner in my care. He respected my opinion and my wishes. He gave me choices for my care rather than making decisions for me.
My current endocrinologist is my favorite. She’s young, possibly younger than I am, so I feel as though we’re more on the same page. She doesn’t look down her nose at me, and she actually wants my input on how I’d like for her to take care of me.
When I was first diagnosed, it was a 6 month wait for a new patient appointment because of the shortage of endocrinologist in the area. He came in on a day off to see me which resulted in my fist appointment being only a few weeks after diagnosis. He immediately started the process of getting the CGM and pump approved by insurance, including successfully arguing an appeal for the approval.
I would love to mention his name, because I think he deserves recognition, but I’ll just say Dr. R.I. at the Syracuse Joslin Clinic. I literally drove 5 hours each way to see him. Dr. I introduced me to the insulin pump and the continuous glucose monitoring system. He took a lot of time with me, was empathic, was a great listener, and just had a warm personality. He also had a great team of support staff. At one point he referred me to an Endocrinologist that was only 2 1/2 hours from my home. I tried the other doctor for about a year, and went back to Dr. I. It was worth it to me to drive 10 hours in one day to see Dr. I. at Joslin. Now, I live in a different part of the country, and really miss the care I got from Dr. I. and Joslin.
Upon further recollection, I would like to mention my Endocrinologists name. He is Dr. Roberto Izquierdo of the Syracuse, NY, Joslin Clinic.
I have a good Endo now and my last in another state was as well. However my maternal fetal specialist was amazing while I was pregnant! Dr. C Graves at Baptist Hospital with TN Maternal Fetal Medicine. I had only been pumping on my very first pump 5 months when I got pregnant and she and her staff taught me so much about successful pump therapy and how to conservatively treat lows to prevent rebound highs. My happy and healthy (now 12 year old) came into the world 8.5 months later! Pleased with her bed side manner and her wealth of knowledge for a successful T1 pregnancy!
dr chandramohan went above and beyond for same with dr machele they were very caring and explained things to me
When I was diagnosed, I made an appointment with the endo someone I worked with used. She was the best doctor I have ever had. She was always smiling when she came in. She was only late for my appointment once in about 5 years. She remembered my dogs and asked about them. Of course, it’s pretty easy to remember when someone has 2 wolfhounds named Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. She listened to my whole question when I had one and didn’t interrupt to answer before I was finished. And then she retired. My new endo is fine, but I doubt anyone will ever fill Dr. Alm’s shoes.
Dr Milburn helped me start on the Pump and was always Positive, felt lost when he left his practice after 22 years but Dr Basani also is Supportive and we end up learning from each other.
My very first Endo became a good friend to me. He got me into camp the same year i was diagnosed. He listened to me and asked my thoughts on my treatment plans. He treated me as a person and not a child who was invisible like most doctors do with kids. I miss him every day. He passed away from Liver cancer. He fought it hard for 5 years, but lost his battle when I was still a teen.
They listened, were very positive and motivated me not like previous endocrinologists.
Dr. Uhrig encouraged me to transition from MiniMed 630 to the Tandem t:slim x2 with the Dexcom G6 CGM. A life-changing experience! Great at analyzing my data and teaching about all things diabetes related. Very patient and does not rush through appointments.
My most recent endo, who retired at the end of last year. I cried. She took her time with patients, was a great listener, open to new ideas, discussed different treatment options, encouraging, gentle nudging with no blaming. She’s super intelligent and helped with things not diabetes related as well.
YES!!!! DR. HOWARD WOLPERT!!!! He was at Joslin Clinic and I’m sorry to say he left (not because he wanted to 😥)!!! The point is, he was the dr who suggested I use a pump!!! I had been told that because of my hypoglycemic unawareness I shouldn’t use a pump. He is/was a pump specialist and told me that that reasoning is no longer used, especially with the pump improvements. Today, I’m on my 6th? pump! And all because of Dr. Howard Wolpert!!! (I call him my diabetes guru!) 😁😁😁
Shout out to Dr. Charlotte Sokol (retired) in Hackensack, NJ. Best Endo ever! We named our daughter after her!
I’ve had ONE endocrinologist ONCE. He was TERRIBLE! He insisted on treating my type 1 diabetes as if I were a type 2. He also believed that checking my blood glucose more than three times a day was excessive. He didn’t last long. Unfortunately in western Arkansas where I’ve lived for over thirty years endocrinologists are very rare to totally absent.
My first endo when diagnosed, Dr. Stone. He was great and very informative. Dr. Knudsen was my favorite as an adult and she was always willing to try new things introduced in the world.
Yes. Dr. Franklin Gluck who has now retired. Took all the time needed and never rushed. Dr. Mary Cox stepped down to raise her young daughter. She not only took her time with me and included me in every decision, she is a very active T1D advocate! She also writes academic books for Duke university. She does these things from her office at home now.
I’ll add another vote for Dr Wolpert at Joslin, I was fortunate enough to have him as my endocrinologist when I was in Boston for 5 years. What a empathetic, kind, caring, encouraging person, a world renowned expert with humanity and humility. BTW while I was working at the Cleveland Clinic, a coworker wished one of the senior staff docs a happy doctors’ day. She responded that she did not think that celebration was needed because, she said ruefully, “every day is doctors’ day”. Especially true in places like that.
I have had diabetes for 60 years now and have had many endocrinologist. I feel very lucky that my parents got me to an endocrinologist within a year after my diagnosis when it became apparent that my pediatrician did not know how to manage type one diabetes. All of my endocrinologist have been willing to take plenty of time and work with me and making decisions rather than telling me what to do. A good endocrinologist knows that people with diabetes type one no more about their condition then anyone else but I also rely on them for their expertise at understanding all the new things that are developing in medicine. I have had several doctors who gave me their home phone numbers and early on in some instances I was to call them every day either early in the morning or late at night for insulin adjustment discussions. This was a lifesaver back when we only had urine testing and twice a day injections of NPH and regular insulin’s which as we know really don’t work very well. It is unfortunate that doctors are no longer allowed to spend 45 minutes to an hour with their patients but after all these years I no longer need those types of intense discussions and learning appointments.
I was a little concerned about seeing my endo and telling him I’d been LOOPing for the past 3 months. Not sure how he would react. He was very excited to learn about it and see the great results I was getting. When I told him others using LOOP throughout the country were often being told they had to find a new doctor (“I won’t treat you if you are going to LOOP”), he said that it was MY decision to LOOP, he had not prescribed it. I gather there are liability issues. I love that he’s willing to work with me. Great doc.
I will soon be celebrating my 68th anniversary with diabetes. I have “retired” 5 endo’s. All were excellent and my current endo trained with 2 of them. She is excellent as well.
My son was recently diagnosed and I cannot say enough about the entire Pediatric Endo team at West Virginia University at Ruby Memorial Hospital. They have been patient and amazing. Our Endo even came in off vacation when my son was first diagnosed. They are so good at communicating and very patient with us.
I miss my last endo so much. She always listened, even if it wasn’t about diabetes. My insurance changed and as of this year I can no longer see her. I found a new endo and have had my first visit and so far I liked him so I’ve got my fingers crossed I’ll be lucky again!
I been fortunate to have many good people as my physicians. My current endocrinologist listens to what I have to say, does her best to answer my questions and also asks if there’s anything else I want to discuss. My previous endocrinologist was her mentor in medical school and is the doctor I’d nominate as being exceptional. Dr. Russel Dixon was my endo for a decade. He taught at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and was involved in many research studies. He was always interested in my questions, explaining lab results, how they fit into my history of previous results and what to possibly expect in the future. He made me feel like a partner in all healthcare decisions. He was never rushed and he never rushed me. I’m very grateful for the years I could rely on his guidance. He was a tremendous help and a good friend.
My last Endo took me in after 4 phone calls of being told they weren’t taking any new patients. He understood the disease so well and guided making me so healthy again, I mistakenly thought he was a T1D too.
I had the good fortune to have been a patient of Dr Lois Jovanovic MD for several years in the 1980s in NYC. She was tremendously caring and compassionate as a person, brilliant physician and lead scientist guiding innovative research in diabetes and pregnancy for safe, healthy, normal weight, full term pregnancy delivery in women with diabetes and their babies. She was an inspiring role model, advocate for women’s health, teacher, physician healer, scientist, mother, and grandmother – and she lived with T1 diabetes herself since her childhood. She taught me how to live wisely and joyfully with my own diabetes and inspired me to pursue the path I chose in becoming a nurse specializing in mental health and diabetes care. I carry the light of the grace I experienced under her care with the hope and intention that I might help others as she inspired and helped me. Dr Lois is truly one of my heroes.
Lois was my Endo as well. She is the BEST of the BEST and may she rest in peace.
I have had diabetes for 44 yrs. my first adult endo was a dr Sandler. He introduced me to low carb eating and avoiding foods that send bg out of control. He was tough but knowledgeable. He had type 1 himself and he lived what he preached. I started having excellent control with him. A1c in the 5’s without lows. He got me on my first pump in 1987 and I’ve been pumping ever since. His bed side manner was rough but he was motivated to be healthy without complications and he instilled that in me. So thankful for having met him.
They took in all my history, data and really listened. They did not treat me like a number and a point on a data chart. They offered plausible and realistic suggestions and treatment.
I am unlike most people. My aspired reference group for endocrinologists does not include the terms “caring” or “compassionate.” The high-priced specialists I like the best are those who are reasonably current in the state of the art of their specialty and are willing to converse and advise about it. I believe I might be a bit prejudiced toward extroverts, however. ( ͡❛ ‿‿ ͡❛)
My endocrinologist is the best! He is tough on his patients, but tirelessly works to provide the best care. When I went to the emergency room in another city due to a blood clot, he and his nurse were on the phone to me daily to check on my status. He even paced outside the delivery room when I delivered my baby.
I have had an excellent endo for the past 15 years (Dr. McCallum at Scripps, San Diego). Before him I had a series of bad endos, one kept threatening me to take better care of myself or I’d die. Diagnosed in 1974 at age 8, I was in the throes of depression since age 10 and found T1 to be overwhelming.
I went to another endo who was kind but was anti-pump and close to retirement when a friend recommended Dr. M.
He taught me that small steps help and that I could focus on one thing at a time. I never knew I could become this healthy and interested in my own treatment. We celebrate my victories and figure out what’s happening if something changes.
The first thing he asks at my appointments is how I’m doing and what’s going on in my life. It’s not small talk, he’s gathering info.
I wish every T1 an understanding endo!
Yes, they were instrumental in me be willing to take on the new lifestyle that T1 created but encouraged and supported so I would not have to change my lifestyle in any way – i.e. running, traveling, love of food, hiking, backpacking, rockclimbing, etc…
Had my endocrinologist’s cell phone. He answered on Saturday, bad rash. We worked through it was reaction to an antibiotic. Always worked closely with me when I was under his care.
May sound odd, but the best thing my endo ever did for me was threaten to drop me as a patient because I wasn’t actively managing my diabetes. I cried, but that really changed my mindset and approach to diabetes management. Worked with him for several years and achieved the best A1c’s of my life!
I have had some good and bad doctors, but the one now is an Endo. in the Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center in Houston and he trained and was on the staff of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. His experience is the best and i trust his judgement in my case of Type One for which I have had for 75 years plus 40+ years of Celiac disease.