Patient Care

In February 2023, Minnesota became the first state to universally test newborns for cytomegalovirus (CMV), an easily transmissible virus and leading cause of infant hearing loss and congenital birth defects. This decision followed two decades of research at the University of Minnesota on identifying, preventing and treating the infection. This research proved that CMV could be detected from blood spots, which are already collected for testing during newborn screening.

In 2023, the Islet Autotransplant Research Program at the Medical School achieved a milestone by completing its 850th TPIAT procedure. Nearly 180 of these were performed on children aged 3 to 18. The program also conducted the world's 2nd pancreas-alone transplant for a child with Type 1 Diabetes suffering from severe insulin allergy. Islet transplant, a procedure involving harvesting and infusion of islets from the pancreas into the liver, is administered to patients undergoing TPIAT for chronic pancreatitis, and those with Type 1 Diabetes seeking alloislet transplant.

During a routine checkup, Tim McDonald's dentist discovered a golf ball-sized hole in his lower jaw. Further examination revealed that Tim had clear cell carcinoma, a rare form of cancer with fewer than 100 identified cases. Fortunately, Tim could access the specific treatment he needed at University of Minnesota Physician's Radiation Therapy Center in Wyoming, MN. Through the compassionate support of patients, cutting-edge radiation oncology treatment options, and state-of-the-art facilities, this Center is ranked one of the top in Minnesota.