Background and History

About the Cray Diabetes Self-Management Center

The Cray Center provides clinical management and education services that promote self management of diabetes. Located within the Medicine Clinic of the KU Hospital, the Center has been almost entirely supported by the Cray Medical Research Foundation for over 25 years, with recent additional support from KU Hospital.

Patients receiving diabetes management at the Cray Center are cared for by the diabetes team which includes a KU Endocrinologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant and nurse educator. The team-based approach provides benefits of improved access to care, continuity of providers, and greater quality of care through a multi-dimensional framework. As an outpatient clinic, it collaborates with the Hospital’s diabetes staff to provide patients with close follow up in diabetes care upon discharge.

In order to accommodate patients' needs as well as primary care provider preferences, the Cray center offers a comprehensive variety of services tailored for each patient including: team-based management, group education, one on one education, blood glucose meter clinic, dietician services and support groups. The Center is currently accepting new patients (contact us) through provider or self-referrals.

Milestones

• The Cray Diabetes Self-Management Center officially started in 1976 with one part-time nurse focused on patient education. In 2008, Cray Center staff includes 2 nurse practitioners,1 physician assistant, 2 nurse educators, 1 medical assistant and 2 administrative assistants.
  
  
• From humble beginnings in a cramped hosipital closet, the Cray Diabetes Self-Management Center has florished to a bustling suite of offices and exam rooms.
  
  
• All educational program and policy development was initiated by George Ann Eaks, ARNP, nursing founder of the Cray Diabetes Self-Management Center. Cray nursing staff services have grown to include evaluation and management of diabetic patients in collaboration with KU Endocrine physicians and through nurse clinics.
  
  
• In addition to caring for diabetic patients, Cray professional staff also mentor future health care professionals in diabetes management, including medical students, basic and advanced nursing students, and pharmacology students.