Donald Zimmerman, MD Division Head, Endocrinology

The Division of Endocrinology is a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who provide evaluation and treatment for hormonal abnormalities that occur in childhood and adolescence. The endocrine team includes board certified pediatric endocrinologists, physician researchers, certified pediatric nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators, registered nurses, a registered dietician, a social worker, and a clinical psychologist.

With an active outpatient practice, various team members see children with diabetes and a variety of other endocrine problems each year. The team also provides medical consultation to the inpatients of Children's Memorial Hospital and the neonatal intensive care unit of Prentice Women's Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The physicians provide diagnostic and medical management for children with endocrine problems both in the inpatient and outpatient programs, communicating their findings and treatment recommendations to the child's primary care provider. As faculty members of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, they also provide education and instruction to medical students, residents, and fellows. The members of our division give scientific seminars on their work, present data at national and international research meetings, and participate in public outreach programs.

One of our goals is to help children and families develop a customized plan of care. We act as advocates in the community to ensure access to care and programs, as well as with schools to ensure that the school setting is safe and prepared for the endocrine and diabetes needs of the child. We also work with insurance companies and other third party payers to ensure optimal reimbursement of medical expenses. Finally, we provide advice, education, guidance, and support to families and children in our care for endocrine and diabetes problems.