A $5.1 million investment expands a national alliance aiming to build a smarter, scalable, and patient-centered approach to managing type 1 diabetes.
In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare innovation, a powerful alliance is reshaping how we care for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Rising T1DE Alliance, launched in 2020 with support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, is on a mission to revolutionize the management of diabetes through real-time data integration, predictive tools, and a culture of proactive, patient-centered care.
And now, with a $5.1 million infusion to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, this bold vision gains new strength.
From Vision to Action
Originally launched at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City in 2016, Rising T1DE started as a radical idea: could real-time integrated data prevent adverse outcomes in diabetes care? The result was the creation of the Diabetes Data Dock (D-Data Dock)—a cloud-based population health platform that aggregates clinical records, patient-reported outcomes, self-management device data, and more. This powerful engine now drives early identification, targeted interventions, and seamless research integration.
As Dr. Mark Clements, co-chair of Rising T1DE and Chief Medical Officer of Innovation at Children’s Mercy, explains, “We are building a learning health system that merges clinical insight, continuous innovation, and the power of data to improve outcomes for people with diabetes.”
Enter Lurie Children’s: Scaling Innovation
With the addition of Lurie Children’s, Rising T1DE moves into its next phase, focusing on scaling its tools and processes across diverse healthcare systems. The collaboration will refine implementation frameworks, generate technical guidelines, and develop replicable models for broader adoption.
Dr. Juan Espinoza, co-chair of Rising T1DE and Chief Research Informatics Officer at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, reflects: “Technology is only one part of the equation. We’re building an ecosystem where best practices are shared in real-time, and scalable models emerge from a foundation of collaboration.”
What Sets D-Data Dock Apart?
The platform stands out for its ability to proactively identify high-risk patients through data harmonization, guiding clinicians with personalized insights and reducing barriers to research. It’s not just about treating the present—it’s about anticipating the future.
Initiatives currently underway include:
- Seamless integration of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data into electronic health records (EHR), in partnership with the Diabetes Technology Society.
- Expanding the D-Data Dock in a cost-effective, scalable manner.
- Offering implementation toolkits and a growing library of real-world interventions.
- Developing predictive models to better forecast patient risk.
- Cultivating a national community of diabetes care innovators.
Oversight and Collaboration
The initiative is guided by a Community Stakeholder Advisory Board, chaired by Dr. Sanjeev Mehta of the Joslin Diabetes Center, and includes representatives from the T1D Exchange, Helmsley Charitable Trust, NCQA, and leading health institutions.
This structure ensures that patients remain at the heart of innovation. By fostering a dynamic ecosystem that bridges academia, clinical care, and technology, Rising T1DE isn’t just implementing change—it’s leading a movement.
A New Standard of Care
In a world where chronic illness can often feel isolating or disjointed, Rising T1DE’s integrated approach offers hope. It points toward a future where data doesn’t just inform care—it empowers it.
With institutions like Lurie Children’s, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Kansas now onboard, the alliance is growing—proving that transformation is not only possible but also within reach.
As the Rising T1DE rolls forward, it brings with it a new wave of possibility: a smarter, kinder, more connected model of care for the millions living with type 1 diabetes.
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