The AHEAD Program
Achieving Health in Emerging Adults with Diabetes (AHEAD) Program
The University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute (UWMDI) and the Division of Endocrinology at Seattle Children’s have created a state-of-the-art program to integrate emerging adults into adult diabetes care.
The AHEAD Program features a multidisciplinary care team of medical providers (adult and pediatric diabetes providers), diabetes nurse educators, psychologists, a dietitian, and a social worker. The primary focus of the team is to address the unique challenges that arise during emerging adulthood and prepare adolescents and young adults for a successful life of managing diabetes independently.
What is a Supported Transition and Why is it Important?
A supported health care transition is the planned and purposeful movement of young adults from child-centered to adult-oriented care systems. A successful transition from pediatric to adult care for youth with diabetes supports them in establishing lifelong healthy behaviors. There are significant differences in the patient experience between pediatric and adult health care. Pediatric care is typically holistic and family focused with longer visits that frequently incorporate resources from on-site social work and psychology.
In contrast, visits in adult care are often shorter and more medically focused with fewer resources available to immediately address any psychological or financial needs. Lack of transition support can lead to less engagement in diabetes management, worsening of psychological challenges, and loss of medical follow-up putting youth at risk for developing both short-term and long-term complications from diabetes.
The AHEAD Program aims to work with emerging adults with diabetes to ensure they are motivated to participate in diabetes tasks throughout their lives. We do this by making sure they have the knowledge and mastery to care for their diabetes, that they feel supported by the team, and that they feel in charge of their own choices.
AHEAD is Cutting Edge
The AHEAD Program is conducting a study at Seattle Children’s funded by Breakthrough T1D. Our goal is to understand if participation in a clinical program designed specifically to support emerging adults with type 1 diabetes leads to improved diabetes outcomes. If you are a patient at Seattle Children’s, have type 1 diabetes, are between the ages of 16-19 years old, and have a recent HbA1C >7%, you could be eligible. For more information, email IDOlab@seattlechildrens.org. 
Resources
Diabetes Education Basics
Health Insurance and Finances
College and University Specific Resources
College
Mental Health
Relationships
Substance Use
Type 1 Diabetes Podcasts
The Diabetes Link
Emergency Preparedness
- UW Counseling Center
- UW Disability Resources for Students
- WSU Counseling and Psychological Services
- WSU Access Services
- WWU Counseling Center
- WWU Disability Access Center
- Seattle University Counseling and Psychological Services
- Seattle University Disability Services
- SPU Student Counseling Center
- SPU Disability Support Services
Learn More About Participating in Clinical Research
Kathryn Weaver, MD
Physician, AHEAD Program Co-Director
Katrina Hoch, PhD, MS, RD, CD, CDCES
Dietitian, AHEAD Program Co-Director
Stephanie Kim, MD, MPH
Physician
Anna Zenno, MD
Physician
Elise Aitken, ARNP
Nurse Practitioner
Sarah Loebner, PA-C, MPH
Physician Assistant
Samantha Goldklang, ARNP, MSN, CPNP-PC
Nurse Practitioner
Ashley Moss, PhD
Psychologist
Michaela Patton, PhD
Psychologist
Alia Paget, MSW, LSWAIC
Social Work
Michele Scanlan, RN, MSN, CDCES
Nurse and Diabetes Educator at UWMDI
Cari Witruk, RN, BSN, CDCES
Nurse and Diabetes Educator at Seattle Children's
Cecilia Izzo, RN, BSN, MS, CDCES
Nurse and Diabetes Educator at Seattle Children's
Isabella Niu, MD
Physician
Contact Us
UWMDI Location
Parking: Paid Parking in Garage under building (No Cash)
Phone
Phone: 206-598-4882
Fax: 206-598-8664
Office
750 Republican Street Floor 3, Building F Seattle, WA 98109 (Between Dexter and Republican)
Seattle Children's Sand Point Clinic Location
Parking: Free in Parking Lot
Phone
Phone: 206-987-2640
Fax: 206-985-3373
Seattle Children's South Clinic Location
Parking: Free in Parking Lot
Phone
Phone: 206-987-2640
Fax: 206-985-3373
Seattle Children's North Clinic Location
Parking: Follow signs to Seattle Children’s parking lot on the west side of the clinic (left of the clinic’s front entrance). ADA parking is available in front of the clinic. Parking is free.
Please do not use the Providence parking lot in front of the clinic.
Phone
Phone: 425-783-6200
Fax: 206-985-3373
Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center Location
Free in the underground parking garage.
Phone
Phone: 425-454-4644
Fax: 206-985-3373
Donate to the AHEAD Program
Help us address the unique challenges that arise during emerging adulthood and prepare adolescents and young adults for a successful life of managing diabetes independently.
