Ian M. Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

Jennifer Najjar, MD, spent her career caring and advocating for children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders as well as helping to train the next generation of pediatric endocrinologists and pediatricians.

Jennifer Najjar named Senior Pediatrician of the Year

She will be honored Aug. 17 during the TNAAP Excellence in Pediatrics Annual Awards, which recognize pediatricians and community members who have made exceptional contributions to children’s health advocacy in Tennessee.

Jennifer Najjar, MD, center, with longtime colleagues Margaret Anderson, DNP, FNP-BC, left, and Barbara Duffy, MSN, APRN, CPNP. (photo by Donn Jones)

Noted pediatric endocrinologist Jennifer Najjar retires after 47 years at Vanderbilt

After 47 years as a pediatric endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Jennifer Najjar is reflecting on her life of work, highlighting moments of pride and gratitude for her patients and colleagues, and relishing in her ability to practice medicine while also training the next generation of pediatric doctors.

Study links small pancreas size to faster progression to stage 3 Type 1 diabetes

The study findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, suggest that pancreas imaging can have a benefit in tracking disease development and recruitment for preventive and therapeutic trials.

Study sheds light on drug’s impact on diabetes progression

A Vanderbilt study of a treatment to delay the development of Type 1 diabetes in individuals at high risk did not meet the study goals of delaying progression from normal glucose tolerance to abnormal glucose tolerance or clinical diagnosis, although the study drug, abatacept, impacted immune response and preserved insulin production during the one-year treatment period.

When half of their six children were diagnosed with what was then believed to be Type 1 diabetes, David and Ellen Pursell decided their family would participate in research related to the health condition. This family photo from several years ago includes, seated, from left, Peggy, Ramsey and Chrissy. Standing, from left, are Vaughan, Ellen, Martin, David and Parker.

Family’s participation key to advancing diabetes research

A study of one family from Alabama has led Vanderbilt researchers to discover that insulin deficiency, independent of the autoimmunity associated with Type 1 diabetes, is the principal factor leading to a markedly smaller pancreas.

William Russell, MD, second from right, is the principal investigator for a study that uses a plasmid-based therapy to try to selectively desensitize the immune system in people with Type 1 diabetes. Shown here are, from left, Lana Howard, RN, CCRP; Brenna Hammel, RN, CPN; study participant Adam Brooks; Russell; and Robin Perkins, RN. Not pictured: Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP.

Trial participant steps up to help advance diabetes research

Vanderbilt is one of 16 North American sites conducting the Tolerance Using Plasmid in People with Type 1 Diabetes (TOPPLE) study, a phase 1 investigation that tests the safety and dosing of a new plasmid therapy.

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