Dr Sutherland

Director of the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation
Head of the Transplant Division in the Department of Surgery
Holder of the Golf Classic "fore" Diabetes Research Chair
Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota

As a young resident, Dr. David E.R. Sutherland witnessed the makings of a miracle in 1966 at the hands of Drs. Richard Lillehei and William Kelley, who performed the world's first kidney-pancreas transplant in a patient with diabetes. Convinced that this surgery could be refined and offer a better quality of life to people with diabetes, Dr. Sutherland embarked on a career devoted to availing pancreas transplants for those wanting this procedure.

Since 1978, he has routinely offered whole-organ pancreas transplantation, and has trained 90% of surgeons performing this procedure worldwide. His teachings has affected countless others in the field of immunology and transplantation, yielding several other unique pancreas surgeries not performed routinely at other institutions.

Dr. Sutherland performed the world's first transplant of insulin-producing islet cells from a deceased human donor to a living person in 1974. He also has developed specialized surgeries to prevent the onset of diabetes upon the removal of a pancreas in the case of chronic pancreatitis.

Dr. Sutherland performed the world's first living-donor (segmental) pancreas transplant in 1979. He and his team continue to perform more of these complex surgeries than any other program worldwide, offering the potential of a higher quality of life for patients facing severe health issues from diabetes and pancreatitis.

Dr. Sutherland is a surgeon, researcher, pioneer, administrator, leader, mentor, professor, and respected colleague to thousands worldwide.

For nearly 40 years, he has diligently worked to achieve a higher quality of life for people with diabetes, freeing many from the major secondary health issues caused by diabetes, such as blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and cardiovascular disease.

Thanks to Dr. Sutherland's dedication and perseverance, the University of Minnesota has achieved worldwide prominence as a center of hope and excellence for people with diabetes. The University of Minnesota is the home of the world's oldest, largest pancreas transplant program. He has earned international recognition for the successful transplantation of insulin-producing tissue called islets, normalizing blood sugar levels in people devastated by diabetes.

Dr. Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. In addition, he is the Head of the Transplant Division and the Director of the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation. Dr. Sutherland holds the Gold Classic "fore" Diabetes Research Chair. He is also on the executive committee of the Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry (CITR), which is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Dr. Sutherland has served as president of the International Transplantation Society, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the Cell Transplant Society, and the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association.

If you would like to make a contribution to help support Dr. Sutherland's diabetes research, feel free to use our on-line gift form. Please be sure to specify the DIABETES INSTITUTE in Step 2 of this form. If you would like to discuss your charitable goals, please contact Angela Lillie at 612-626-2101.