Sansum Diabetes Research Institute

Last month, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI) reached a major milestone with its year-long $20 million capital campaign to facilitate the renovation of the nonprofit’s current building, breaking ground on the 18,000-square-foot building renovation project. The work is to transform the building, located near Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, into a state-of-the-art diabetes research facility that will enable groundbreaking advancements in diabetes research and care, accelerating life-changing discoveries for millions of people living with all forms of diabetes.

Breaking ground on the much-needed refurbishing – much of the SDRI’s clinical research facilities had not been modified in almost 50 years – required a temporary relocation that was something of a major operation in itself. 

“Our research team is temporarily in a location right next to the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital so that all of our studies and research is continuing normally,” explained Katie Haq, SDRI’s director of marketing. “It was quite a heavy lift to get them off-site, years in the making to get everything organized and have our industry sponsors that we work with see the new site. There was a lot going on.” 

With the logistics out of the way, SDRI is continuing work begun more than a century ago by its founder, Dr. William Sansum. It was Dr. Sansum who administered the very first injection of insulin in the country right here in Santa Barbara. Dr. Sansum didn’t just administer that historic first dose of lifesaving medicine to a diabetes patient – forever changing the prognosis of the previously fatal disease. He also became the first physician in the country to manufacture insulin. 

There have been countless discoveries and innovations in the treatment of diabetes over the 80 years since SDRI’s official founding, many of which have taken place or been improved upon via clinical studies and other research conducted by the nonprofit. Nowadays, the work isn’t just focused on surviving but actually thriving while living with diabetes. 

“November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which is a wonderful platform for us to share about the work that we do in diabetes and diabetes research, and to highlight our diabetes technology and research innovation. We’re doing these cutting-edge studies around an artificial pancreas with automated insulin delivery systems. At the end of the day, that’s important because it’s improving the overall quality of life for people living with the disease. Over the past year, SDRI has made significant strides in diabetes technology and research as our team selects studies that provide meaningful improvements to quality of life and diabetes device accuracy.”

During this calendar year alone, under the direction of new CEO Elizabeth Thompson, SDRI has expanded its automated insulin delivery system studies to include type 2 diabetes. SDRI has also completed 13 continuous glucose monitoring device studies for pediatric and adult patients, including improvements in dual glucose and ketone measurement; conducted 15 research studies with over 600 participants, partnering with industry leaders such as Abbott, Dexcom, Medtronic, Omnipod and Tandem Diabetes; and published 14 articles in highly respected medical journals.

SDRI has also taken a leading role in diabetes management for women’s health, supporting women living with diabetes through a life course approach that covers key stages such as adolescence, intrapartum, perimenopause and postmenopause. 

“We’ve been doing that for over 50 years, focusing on the unique challenges that women with diabetes face beyond pregnancy, which used to be considered impossible for those diagnosed with diabetes,” Haq said. “We have specialized programs that aim to empower women with diabetes to thrive in all stages of life.” 

To that end, over the last year SDRI has collaborated with leaders in diabetes research to form the Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Gestational Diabetes Management Working Group – conducting studies to diversify CGM use in pregnancy and publishing new research results; ensuring access to diabetes care and education for all patients throughout pregnancy, aiding 112 mothers to deliver healthy babies with specialized support; and expanding research on CGM applications for women who have pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

At the same time, SDRI remains deeply committed to advancing health equity and addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among patients with diabetes. The organization this year launched a groundbreaking new research initiative to develop a culturally appropriate diet intervention program tailored for the local Latino community – and for pregnant women with gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes. Recruitment began this year, with 12 women enrolled and randomized, with a target of 30 participants as recruitment continues.

SDRI also developed and offered a series of educational classes for the Latino population, presented through its community health workers, that include Ocho Pasos, an eight-week program geared toward healthy living; Semillas de Cambio, a version of Ocho Pasos during pregnancy; and TwoTalk, a Spanish language program for those with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. 

“We’re really committed as an organization to making diabetes care more equitable,” Haq said. “We want to improve the overall access to diabetes technology for the underserved communities through our studies, programs and partnerships. They’re very culturally sensitive and tailored programs in diabetes education, making sure that individuals from all different backgrounds in our community can truly receive the support that they need, ensuring equitable access to the latest advancements and providing comprehensive support to manage their diabetes.”

Like the old TV commercial for Hair Club for Men, in which the pitchman notes that he’s not just the president but also a client, Haq herself has benefited from the cutting-edge research at SDRI. Haq was diagnosed with the disease at age 3 and received support through the research and innovative programs run by Dr. Lois Jovanovic – who is revered worldwide as the godmother of modern-day diabetes care, especially during pregnancy. Dr. Jovanovic’s 18-year tenancy as SDRI CEO and Chief Scientific Officer ended in 2013 with her retirement.

“I truly owe my family to Lois, who changed the protocols for women,” said Haq, who uses an artificial pancreas with an automated insulin delivery system herself. “It was an honor to be her patient and to have such great care. SDRI was part of the pivotal trials for those devices. I am so passionate about the work because I live it and I’ve truly been touched by what we do here. To see where the technology for diabetes has come from way back when I was diagnosed to today is just amazing, and we’re on the front lines. But passion drives all of our staff, and it is incredible to see lives touched and lives changed because of the work that we do.”  

Visit https://sansum.org for more information