The congenital hyperinsulinism care centers designated by CHI as Centers of Excellence provide the highest level of multi-disciplinary care to congenital hyperinsulinism patients and their families and an ongoing commitment to research and collaboration.
Hyperinsulinism centers from all over the world were invited to submit an application to receive the designation. The online application consisted of 33 questions that are associated with identified criteria to determine comprehensive and expert HI care. View the program criteria here.
In July 2024, CHI announced the program’s second round of designations.
The CHI Centers of Excellence include:
- Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin – Berlin, Germany
- Collaborative Alliance on Congenital Hyperinsulinism – Magdeburg, Germany
- Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia –Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Congenital Hyperinsulinism Service – London, United Kingdom
- Northern Congenital Hyperinsulinism Service – Manchester and Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Odense University Hospital – Odense, Denmark
- The Hyperinsulinism Center at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth, TX, United States
- University Children’s Hospital of Düsseldorf – Düsseldorf, Germany
Read the 2024 press release announcing the newly designated and re-designated COEs.
What COEs say about the CHI Centers of Excellence Designation Program:
“I am thrilled that the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has again been recognized as a Center of Excellence by Congenital Hyperinsulinism International,” We are grateful to CHI for their longstanding commitment and support of our important work and look forward to providing the expert, collaborative care CHOP is known for to even more patients in the future.”
– Dr. Diva D. De León-Crutchlow, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Director of the Congenital HI Center, CHOP
“This acknowledgment has served as a catalyst, inspiring us to redouble our efforts in providing superior care and engaging in collaborative research to explore innovative treatment modalities. Furthermore, the award provided us with the chance to collaborate with other Congenital Hyperinsulinism Centers of Excellence in research, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences in managing this rare disease.”
– Dr. Antonia Dastamani, Lead of the HI NHS Specialized Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital
“At Odense University Hospital, we have developed a long-standing special focus on research and clinical management of HI in close collaboration with international researchers and CHI, which has brought dedicated hyperinsulinism centers more together. The designation as COE will strengthen our position as a national and international hyperinsulinism center in both clinical and research context. We are honored to be selected for this acknowledgement and look forward to future international collaboration to improve the diagnosis and management of children with hyperinsulinism.”
– Dr. Henrik Christesen, Clinical Professor, Odense University Hospital
“It is a privilege to be a CHI Center of Excellence, showcasing the highest standards of care and pushing boundaries of research and innovation in hyperinsulinism. We are grateful to our children and families living with the condition for urging our team of nurses, doctors, dietitians, speech and language therapists and surgeons to strive for excellence.”
– Dr. Indi Banerjee, Clinical Lead for the Northern Congenital Hyperinsulinism Service
“It is an honor to be recognized and be validated for the hard work our HI team has done in caring for both our local and the national HI community. Being named a center of excellence has helped us promote our center and ensure the trust of the new referring families. Our new patients have told us that the designation provides them with a sense of confidence, knowing that they are at a multi-disciplinary HI center that delivers the highest level of care and the newest research regarding HI.”
– Dr. Paul Thornton, Director of the HI Center at Cook Children’s Medical Center
History of the COE Program
In June 2021, the first group of centers received the COE designation. Prior to the CHI COE program, no review process or certificate was awarded to institutions for the care of those with HI.
The CHI COE designation application was developed by an international committee of HI specialists, clinicians, and patient representatives who worked together to identify the requirements. The criteria include demonstrated excellence in clinical care, academic research, collaboration, and a commitment to patient care.
The CHI COE Program was initially made possible through the Global Genes 2020 RARE Patient Impact Grant Program, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Rare As One Grant, and other generous donors.
The Inaugural CHI COEs named in 2021 were:
- Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Hyperinsulinism Center at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX, United States
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Congenital Hyperinsulinism Service in London, in the United Kingdom
- Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin and the University Children’s Hospital Duesseldorf partnership in Germany
- Collaborative Alliance on Congenital Hyperinsulinism headquartered in Magdeburg, Germany
- Northern Congenital Hyperinsulinism Service in Manchester and Liverpool, in the United Kingdom
Read the 2021 press release here.
2021 press release also available in German here.
If you have any questions, please contact Tai Pasquini, CHI Director of Research and Policy, by emailing tpasquini@congenitalhi.org or calling her at 973-842-7559.
