When their granddaughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of two and a half, Mary and Dick Allen turned to Hoag’s medical leadership for guidance and training. For the Allens, their granddaughter’s illness has led to a resolve extending beyond the experiences of their own family; this experience inspired them to become advocates within the community and they actively support diabetes programming. They see it as their mission to educate and support others who live with diabetes. In collaboration with Community Benefit and with the support of the Foundation, the Center can provide a full range of services in diabetes care.

Since its opening in 2009, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center has made a positive difference in the lives of men, women, and children with diabetes in our community. Our services are comprised of assisting teens and young adults’ transition to adult care, offering individualized and culturally sensitive education for adults with or at-risk for diabetes, and to provide education and support for women who are pregnant with diabetes or plan to become pregnant. Our programs and services are designed to overcome cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic barriers with a strong focus on psychosocial support as part of the patient’s experience with us.

The mission of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital is to make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes or those at risk of diabetes, through prevention, early detection, prompt care, education, and support. We aim to provide excellent patient-centered clinical care while also ensuring that our patients are empowered to manage the psychosocial aspects of diabetes management. The Allen Diabetes Center is supported by philanthropy and serves patients to enhance the care provided by their physicians.