The Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC) specializes in type 1 diabetes research and care for children and adults. Clinicians, clinical researchers, and basic biomedical scientists collaborate at the BDC to find the most effective treatment, prevention, and cure for type 1 diabetes. The BDC was founded by Marvin and Barbara Davis in 1978 and is currently one of the largest diabetes institutes in the world. Housed in a dedicated building on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, the Center is an independent institute within the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

The Center provides state-of-the-art diabetes care to over 7,500 children and adults with diabetes as well as provides inpatient care to patients with any type of diabetes who are seen at the Children’s Hospital Colorado. Center clinical faculty members teach medical, physician assistant, nursing, and dental students on campus. Residents and endocrinology fellows receive critical training at the leading edge of diabetes clinical care and research.

Our mission is to provide state-of the-art care to children and adults with type 1 diabetes and to teach our patients how to prevent or delay complications. Our research is devoted to finding prevention, cure, and most effective treatment of diabetes and associated disorders.

Clinical Care for Pediatric Patients 
The BDC Pediatric Diabetes Division provides families and patients with an understanding of type 1 diabetes and encourages their confidence in its day-to-day management.  Present evidence strongly suggests that consistent blood sugar control greatly diminishes the chances of long-term eye and kidney complications. The Pediatric Clinic offers complete education and support for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The expectation is that by the time patients are ready to leave home for college or the workforce, they will have the ability to manage their own blood sugars.

The clinic is certified by the American Diabetes Association, and our nurses, dietitians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and social workers are Certified Diabetes Educators. Our pediatric endocrinologists also participate in studies that strive to advance and improve glucose monitoring and closed loop technology through observational studies and clinical trials at our Center.

Pediatric Clinic Services | Pediatric Clinic Phone: 303.724.2323

Director: Robert Slover, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director: R. Paul Wadwa, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Clinical Care for Adult Patients
The Adult Clinic has 9 providers (6 Physicians and 3 Advanced Practice Providers) who provide care for approximately 3,500 patients per year. Each patient has the opportunity to receive diabetes education at any clinic visit. The education is provided by nurses, dietitians and social workers (all are Certified Diabetes Educators). The diabetes educators provide education on self-management of diabetes for patients on multiple daily injections or insulin pumps. The education includes instruction on topics such as carbohydrate counting, weight and life-style management and psych-social counseling.

Adult Clinic Services | Ault Clinic Phone: 303.724.6755

Director: Satish Garg, MD, MBBS, DM
Professor of Pediatrics & Medicine

Eye Clinic 
The Barbara Davis Center eye clinic offers unparalleled eye care and state-of-the-art diagnostic retinal imaging, which assists in detecting the earliest states of retinopathy, assessing for progression of diabetic eye disease on the smallest scale possible and identification of patients that need treatment before vision is affected. 

Dr. Bucca's practice philosophy is hinged upon patient education, which he believes is the cornerstone of successful treatment of any illness.

Dr. Bucca is an optometrist and is the BDC Eye Clinic Chief. He has a decade of experience managing diabetic eye complications. Before arriving at the BDC, Dr. Bucca spent 7 years in the Indian Health Service in Shiprock, NM where he specialized in the clinical management of diabetic retinopathy in an indigent type 2 population. During his tenure, he oversaw both the student externship and residency program where he effectively trained hundreds of young doctors throughout the US and abroad in the field of ocular disease and primary eye care.

Why The Barbara Davis Center Eye Clinic?

• Diabetes and Eye Care under one roof
• More face-to-face time with your doctor
• State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment
• All exam findings shared with your BDC doctor
• Heavy emphasis on patient education
• Thorough examinations and screening for ALL eye Conditions
• Flexible scheduling available

Chief of Eye Clinic: Brian Bucca, OD, FAAO
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology

Dr. Bucca Clinic Phone: 303-724-6735
Eye clinic walk-ins are welcome!