Barbara Lervik, R.N., Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation

Barbara Lervik, R.N., is an Islet Transplant Coordinator with the DIIT Institute. She has over 25 years of nursing experience (medical-surgical and extended care) with the past five years focused on research at the University of Minnesota.

She is involved in the clinical care of patients who have completed and passed the screening phase and are either on a waiting list for transplant or have had an Islet Transplant. After screening, she coordinates their placement on the national waiting list UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing). While on the list, she continues to monitor their eligibility for Islet Transplant and is a primary resource for the many questions that patients have while awaiting a transplant. After transplant, she conducts study-related visits along with the physician and/or Physicians Assistant at the University of Minnesota a minimum of 14 times over the course of the next 1 to ½ years. Between visits, she has frequent interactions with patients coordinating their care by discussing health concerns, reviewing blood glucose levels, monitoring changes in medications and reviewing labs, along with addressing any number of issues that can occur.