The UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (BBDC) was established in 2008 from the generosity of twin sisters Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable along with their mother, Wilma. Together, they pledged the initial funding to support the center in memory of Patricia Barnstable Brown’s husband, David, who passed away in 2003 from complications of diabetes. Through fundraising events such as the family’s annual Derby Eve Gala, which attracts celebrities from around the world to the Barnstable Brown family home in Louisville, the family has donated nearly $16 million for research and patient care at the diabetes and endocrinology center.
BBDC is a leader in diabetes treatment, prevention, education and research. Each year, thousands of children and adults visit the experts at our center for management and treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, gestational diabetes and other diabetes-related diseases. Our team works closely with patients’ primary care providers and other referring providers to provide support and assistance as needed. For patients requiring intensive management, such as individuals who use insulin pumps or who have type 1 diabetes or diabetes-related complications, we provide in-depth care on an ongoing basis.
BBDC is located in a 20,000-square-foot clinic space at UK HealthCare - Turfland location in Lexington. In addition to being home to BBDC, UK HealthCare - Turfland houses a variety of services that are important to the management and treatment of diabetes and related conditions, including a pharmacy, a laboratory, radiology services, including ultrasound, and ophthalmology and optometry services. Having so many capabilities under one roof allows our team of experts to care for patients ranging from infants to seniors in a seamless, coordinated fashion. Our team includes physicians and advanced practice providers at an adult clinic and a pediatric clinic, as well as nurses and support staff. Our dedicated inpatient and outpatient diabetes care and education specialists include nurses and dietitians, along with a pharmacist and licensed clinical social worker. We provide consultations with expert diabetes specialists, coordination of care for diabetes complications, screening and management, and comprehensive patient education.