William (Bill) Russell

Bill Russell, MD, left, with patient and trial participant Spencer Mannahan and his father, Zach. (photo by Evan Dorian)
January 22, 2025

Milestone in VUMC-affiliated diabetes screening and research program underscores impact of clinical trials

Screening and clinical trials are further advancing research to develop therapies that delay or prevent the progression to clinical disease in people at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes.

By Evan Dorian
February 2, 2024

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.

By Jill Clendening
March 23, 2023

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.

By Craig Boerner
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.
September 1, 2022

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.

By Jill Clendening
June 9, 2019

Study drug delays type 1 diabetes in high risk children and adults

Drug delays onset of type 1 diabetes by two years

By Craig Boerner
January 14, 2016

New tool in fight against pediatric diabetic retinopathy

The Children’s Diabetes Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently unveiled its latest tool in helping to prevent diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of acquired blindness in the United States.

By Jessica Pasley
September 10, 2015

Diabetes trial targets body’s ability to produce insulin

Kiersten Eaddy had long looked forward to her high school graduation day and joining her classmates to celebrate the accomplishment.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 9, 2015

Steeplechase again set to saddle up for Children’s Hospital

Nashville and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt are gearing up for another year of one of America’s premier horse racing events, the Iroquois Steeplechase, now in its 74th year.
By Christina Echegaray
September 12, 2013

VU tracking drug’s ability to prevent type 1 diabetes

Vanderbilt’s Eskind Diabetes Clinic has been selected to examine the ability of the drug abatacept to prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D). As part of the TrialNet consortium, Vanderbilt will be one of 14 North American sites observing the effects of the drug in people at high risk to develop T1D.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 9, 2013

Russell’s diabetes treatment efforts honored

The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has awarded Vanderbilt’s William Russell, M.D., professor of Pediatrics and director of the division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, its highest honor — the Living and Giving Award for support of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
By VUMC News and Communications
August 30, 2012

Diabetes can’t hold back Little League champion

By Christina Echegaray
July 31, 2012

National type I diabetes prevention trial now an option for younger children

A type I diabetes prevention study that is part of the TrialNet program at Vanderbilt is now enrolling children as young as 8 years old.
By Craig Boerner