START Adolescent Transition Program
Contact Us
Additional Contact Information
Diabetes Center: (757) 668-8609
Endocrinology: (757) 668-7237
CHKD Endocrinology Emergency line: (866) 883-9886
Prescription line: (757) 668-8747
Our Team
- Paula Raube, CPNP, medical provider, program director: (757) 668-7237
- Lauren McMichael, CPNP, medical provider: (757) 668-7237
- Debbie Miles, RN, CDE, educator: (757) 668-7281
- Renee Freeman, RN, CDE, educator: (757) 668-7695
- Shawnee Sweeney, RD, educator: (757) 668-9558
- START medical social worker: (757) 668-9138
Why START?
It is important to start discussing this transition at an early age so that patients know what to expect and have the knowledge they need to stay healthy and independently manage their diabetes before aging out of our pediatric practice.
This program includes two nurse practitioners, three diabetes educators, and a medical social worker. Our nurse practitioners assess your child's readiness to transition to adult care. Coordination of their transition is led by a certified diabetes educator, who provides transition-related education and guidance. A medical social worker will then support and assess financial and mental health needs.
Once their primary endocrinologist identifies that the patient is ready to move on to an adult endocrinologist, the nurse practitioner will assist in coordinating the transition to the selected adult endocrinologist.