Timmy Jordan, a patient from Atlanta with chronic pancreatitis who was unsuccessfully treated at a number of other institutions, received an islet cell transplant at the UC Pancreatic Disease Center and now is on a low-dose insulin pump. Forced to be home-schooled for years because of his pancreatitis, Timmy has returned to public school and is seen here at his prom.

The Pancreatic Disease Center at the University of Cincinnati is a multidisciplinary unit that provides complete evaluation and therapy of pancreatic disorders, as well as consultations to referring physicians. Since the Center’s opening in 2002, the number of patients coming to Cincinnati for specialized treatment for pancreatic disease, especially pancreatic cancer, has tripled to approximately 60 patients per week. Patients have come from as far as Montana, Idaho, Kansas and Florida for treatment.

Interested and eligible patients are given the opportunity to participate in clinical research protocols in the treatment of pain due to chronic pancreatitis as well as neoadjuvent chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic cancer. The islet cell transplant program has been very successful both in preventing and curing diabetes by enabling patients already afflicted to live without the burden of insulin injections.

Dr. Syed Ahmad, Division of Surgical Oncology, serves as director of the Center. For information, please call 513-584-2873 (CURE), or email: Lori.hagerty@ucphysicians.com.