Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center - Diabetes Healthc...

Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center

Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center

The Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center is a new program established by the University of Oklahoma with the goal of promoting the well-being of all people with, or at high risk of, diabetes in Oklahoma, regardless of ethnic background or financial status.

Specific Goals
The specific goals of the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center are to:

1. Educate people with diabetes, health care providers, and the general public about the challenges posed by diabetes
2. Prevent the development of diabetes and its complications in those at risk
3. Provide the best diabetes care
4. Pursue world-class research to cure and prevent diabetes and its complications.

Structure
The Center is comprised of three elements: the Adult and Pediatric Programs both based at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, and the Tulsa Program, based at the Schusterman Center at OU Tulsa. Integrated throughout all three components will be the work of research, provision of clinical services, education, and prevention. The Center will address the effects of diabetes for everyone in Oklahoma, but in particular will develop and maintain a close synergistic working relationship with OklahomaÌs Native American communities, among whom the epidemic is particularly severe.

Support
The Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center has been established by the University, but would not be possible without substantial state and community support. In March 2007, the naming gift for the Center was received from Mr. Harold Hamm, of Enid, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma state government provided $10.5M for capital development in July 2006. The ChildrenÌs Medical Research Institute has identified diabetes as one of its highest priorities, and has donated $15M to the cause. Also since 2005, generous support has been provided by the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma, the Hille Foundation of Tulsa, Mr. Henry Zarrow of Tulsa, the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation of Tulsa, Mr. Jack Cooper of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the OU College of Continuing Education.

Many smaller donations have also been received, for which we are grateful. To achieve its clinical, education, and prevention goals, the Center will need ongoing community support. To make a donation, please click Make A Donation.

The Epidemic of Diabetes
We are currently in the midst of an epidemic of diabetes throughout the nation and the world. Unfortunately, Oklahoma is among the most severely affected states in America. One in four Oklahomans either have diabetes or are at high risk of developing it. The epidemic mainly involves ÏType 2Ó diabetes, and is principally driven by changes in lifestyle and eating habits over the past 20 years. Specifically, most people, including children, are less physically active and have less healthy eating habits. ÏType 1Ó diabetes is also becoming more common.

On the bright side, our understanding of the underlying causes of both types of diabetes has increased. Many new treatments and preventive measures for diabetes and its complications are now available and will be spotlighted on our website as well as in our newsletters. Application of existing standards of care throughout our community, and the discovery of new treatments and preventive measures, are important goals of the Center.

The Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes confers an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation. It can also lead to ÏcomplicationsÓ, specifically kidney damage, kidney failure, problems with eyesight, and damage to nerves. Fortunately, with the right management, most of these complications can now be delayed or prevented. In addition, diabetes during pregnancy needs special attention to ensure a good outcome for mother and baby.

Building the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center
New construction for the CenterÌs clinical and educational facilities is in progress in both Oklahoma City (at OU Health Sciences Center) and in Tulsa (Schusterman Center, OU Tulsa). From these locations, the Diabetes Center, when fully developed, will reach out across the state. Our research laboratories at OU Health Sciences Center are already home to over 60 clinical and basic science researchers pursuing diabetes research. Follow the Diabetes Center in the news.

Links to each component of the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center are provided below. This website will help keep you informed of our progress, the development of our team, and our efforts of outreach in the community for the benefit of all people affected by diabetes in Oklahoma; as well as, provide useful information to help you understand and manage your diabetes.

We ask for your support, and welcome your comments!