UTRGV receives $30 million grant to establish Diabetes Center of Excellence

Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation partners with UTRGV to combat diabetes crisis in the Rio Grande Valley

The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation (VBLF) has awarded a significant $30 million grant to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to establish the UTRGV Diabetes Center of Excellence (UTRGV DCE).

The initiative, announced during a press conference on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, will address the critical health crisis posed by the widespread prevalence of diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley.

The new center, which will be built near the UTRGV Institute of Neuroscience (ION) in Harlingen, is designed to combat diabetes through collaborative disease management, research and education.

The center will include a Limb Preservation Clinic focused on early detection, intervention and wound care. In collaboration with the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, the clinic will deliver specialized limb preservation services to fill a critical gap in care and address the urgent need for amputation prevention. 

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 3,863 diabetic major amputations in the Rio Grande Valley from 2011-2016 — an average of two amputations per day during that period.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the Limb Preservation Clinic will be one of only two in the state of Texas. The other, a limb salvage clinic, is located at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“Each limb we save has the potential to save a life, preserve a livelihood and empower families to thrive,” he said. “This new initiative will make a profound difference in the lives of countless families across our communities, and UTRGV is honored to provide this access to transformative healthcare.”

UNITING TO COMBAT DIABETES CRISIS 

Statistics from the UTRGV Border Health Office and Unidos Contra Diabetes, a community partnership based in Weslaco, show that about 25% of the Valley’s population is living with diabetes, and nearly 30% are dangerously close to a pre-diabetic diagnosis. That puts more than 50% of Valley residents at risk for diabetes-related complications like kidney disease, limb amputation, retinopathy and dementia.

The press conference to announce the $30 million grant was held in Harlingen at the ION, and included Bailey, VBLF Executive Director Judy Quisenberry, and Texas Sen. Morgan LaMantia (District 27) as speakers.

Quisenberry, executive director of the foundation since 2018, said a unified effort is pivotal in the fight against diabetes and its related complications.

“Collaborating with UTRGV, community physicians, clinics and community-based organizations working to fight diabetes is our best chance to change the trajectory of our Valley epidemic,” she said. “This project provides promise through planned research, enhanced healthcare access, additional services and long-term solutions.

Dr. Kelly Nassour, UTRGV executive vice president for Institutional Advancement, said the university recognizes the limitations of community resources, like limited funding and a lack of coordination, in addressing the diabetes crisis.

“The UTRGV Diabetes Center of Excellence is a significant step forward in bridging gaps and advancing the understanding and management of diabetes in our community,” she said. “This center will include clinical research and community outreach, along with education and training. It is an important step in the journey to health and wellness for South Texas and beyond.”

FULL DIABETES CARE

Through the UTRGV DCE, the community can expect comprehensive clinical care, staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who will address the many clinical manifestations of diabetes. An important focus for the center will be early detection and prevention.

The center will recruit and train diabetologists, behavioral health specialists, endocrinologists, podiatrists, researchers and community health workers to expand access to healthcare and boost the diabetic care workforce.

As a full-service facility, it also will provide specialized services in podiatry and endocrinology to address diabetes-related complications.

Bailey expressed his gratitude to the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, a pivotal university partner that has awarded UTRGV $90 million since 2015.

“Their generous support allows UTRGV to provide innovative solutions and comprehensive care,” he said. “It allows us to continue to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of this chronic disease in our Valley community.”

The UTRGV Diabetes Center of Excellence will be a cross-college collaboration with the UTRGV School of Medicine, UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, UTRGV School of Nursing, College of Health Professions, School of Social Work and School of Nursing.