Ralph A. DeFronzo, M.D., professor and chief of the Health Science Center’s division of diabetes and deputy director of the Texas Diabetes Institute, accepted the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) lifetime achievement award June 4 at the conclusion of an elegant wine reception, live auction and dinner program at Westin La Cantera.
The ADA gave the evening a special Italian theme with Italian food, music and art to honor Dr. DeFronzo for his efforts in the field of diabetes research, education and advocacy. The association also held a pre-event golf tournament titled “Golfing for a Cure with Dr. Ralph DeFronzo.” That event was at the Quarry Golf Course.
The estimated 500 health care professionals, business professionals and community leaders in attendance applauded for Dr. DeFronzo, who also is affiliated with the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. Dr. DeFronzo has received the ADA’s Lilly Award (outstanding investigator, 1987), Albert Renold Award (lifetime commitment to training young diabetes researchers, 2003), and Novartis Award (outstanding clinical investigator, 2004). His leadership in clinical trials of novel medications for diabetes is well-known nationally and internationally, and he is a prolific study author. For example, he is co-author of “Dose-response effect of elevated plasma-free fatty acid on insulin signaling,” a paper in the June 2005 issue of
Diabetes.
A second paper, “Effects of exenatide (exendin-4) on glycemic control and weight over 30 weeks in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes,” is in the May issue of
Diabetes Care. Exenatide is a medication derived from saliva of the Gila monster.
Dr. DeFronzo’s work on San Antonio’s West Side, where the Texas Diabetes Institute is located, is resulting in improved effectiveness of type 2 diabetes management in a mainly Hispanic population. This is incredibly important because, according to the ADA, the prevalence rate of diabetes in Bexar County is 12.6 percent, more than double the national average of 6.2 percent. More than 137,000 people in Bexar County have diabetes.
The ADA’s Alamo District is providing $2.5 million for diabetes research projects at the Health Science Center.
Dr. DeFronzo is a 1969 graduate of Harvard Medical School. He joined the Health Science Center faculty in 1988.
