Endocrinology
University Pediatricians | Michigan
About the Division of Endocrinology
The Division of Endocrinology at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan provides comprehensive and compassionate care to pediatric patients with multiple Endocrine disorders as well as Diabetes Mellitus.
The team consists of 7 Board Certified Pediatric Endocrinologists, 9 Certified Endocrine and Diabetes nurses including Certified Diabetes Educators, Registered Dietitians and a dedicated Social worker. We follow a team approach and patient-centered care. Our Pediatric Endocrinologists have Faculty Appointments at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine. They are all actively involved in teaching Medical Students from Central Michigan University and Wayne State University as well as Pediatric and Internal medicine residents.
Specialized services include, but are not limited to:
- Endocrine Stimulation tests at the infusion center
- Inpatient education related to diabetes and endocrine disorders
- Diabetes outpatient education classes for families and school nurses
- Research studies
- Pre-Ramadan Fasting counseling for Diabetic youth who wish to fast
The Diabetes Clinic treats a diverse group of patients including, but not limited to:
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Neonatal Diabetes
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-related Diabetes
- Drug Induced Diabetes
- Other multiple forms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
The Diabetes Clinic provides services to one of the largest groups of Arab and African-American children with Diabetes in the region. Utilizing a team approach, the service provides a comprehensive evaluation by a team of physicians, certified diabetes educators, dietitians, and a social worker.
A State certified and American Diabetes Association (ADA) certified outpatient education program is also offered to help children and their families effectively manage a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
The Division utilizes multi dose injections, Insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring for patient care. A diabetes phone service is available for questions, prescription refills and other requests during the day. There is also an Diabetes emergency pager available for insulin dose changes 24/7. Communication with families is offered via phone, fax and email for convenience. Outpatient education classes which meet the national standards of the American Diabetes Association and the Michigan Department of Community Health for diabetes self-management education are also conducted monthly.
In addition to regular inpatient and outpatient diabetes education programs for the families of children with diabetes, the division also provides:
- Insulin pump classes for patient and families
- Continuous glucose monitor training for patient and families
- CHM Diabetes training program for school nurses
- Education materials translated into Arabic and Spanish languages and laminated handouts to facilitate Diabetes care
CHM Diabetes medical team works with Metro Detroit/South East Michigan JDRF Chapter to support diabetes related awareness about diabetes including:
- Type 1 Diabetes summit
- JDRF Walk
- JDRF ‘Summer blast in Detroit’
- CHM Diabetes medical team works with local American Diabetes Association Chapter and Camp Midicha to send patients to diabetes camp.
The Physicians in the Division of Endocrinology also share their expertise throughout Michigan and Wayne State University community.
Our Endocrine services include, but are not limited to:
- Endocrine Diagnostic testing including hormonal stimulation testing and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test at the infusion center
- Bone age x-ray study and Dexa Scans with interpretation
- Thyroid scintigraphy
- Thyroid ablation through our partners in nuclear medicine
- Pituitary MRIs interpreted by Pediatric Neuroradiologist
- Other specialized imaging studies through pediatric radiology
Leadership
Doris Taha, MD is the Division Chief for Pediatric Endocrinology, and Rajeev Thirunagari, MD is the Director of the Diabetes Program.
Conditions Treated
The Division of Endocrinology at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan offers comprehensive services to children and adolescents with diabetes and hormonal disorders.
The following problems or diseases are diagnosed and treated:
- Thyroid problems including congenital hypothyroidism, Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease/hyperthyroidism as well as thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer
- Growth disorders
- Pubertal development problems
- Adrenal gland disorders including CAH (congenital adrenal hyperplasia), adrenal insufficiency and adrenoleukodystrophy
- Disorders of Sexual Differentiation and Ambiguous Genitalia
- Disorders of Calcium metabolism, vitamin D deficiency, Parathyroid problems including Hyperparathyroidism and Hypoparathyroidism
- Total or partial Hypopituitarism
- Management of endocrine manifestation of Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome among others.
- Diabetes Mellitus all types mentioned above
- Glucose homeostasis and hypoglycemia
- Pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Appointments
Available at six convenient Children’s Hospital of Michigan locations throughout the metropolitan area listed below.
Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit
3950 Beaubien Blvd., 3rd Floor, Detroit, MI 48201
Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center - Canton
45250 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton, MI 48187
Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center - Clinton Township
42700 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038
Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center - Alex J. Etkin Specialty Center - Southfield
29120 Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034
Children's Hospital of Michigan - Troy
350 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084
Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center - Dearborn
25325 Ford Rd, Suite 100, MI 48128
Clinical Programs
Multidisciplinary Clinics:
The Division of Endocrinology offers multidisciplinary clinics that provide a team approach to complex medical conditions. These clinics include specialized physicians from different services in the same clinic setting.
