Ralph DeFronzo, MD, MED ’67

Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of
Texas Health Science Center; Deputy Director of the Texas Diabetes Institute, San
Antonio

 

 

Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD, MED ’67 stands among the most influential figures in the field of diabetes research and clinical care. A distinguished member of Harvard Medical School’s class of 1967, Dr. DeFronzo has, for over fifty years, transformed how the world understands and treats type 2 diabetes. As professor of medicine and chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio—and as deputy director of the Texas Diabetes Institute—he has built institutions, advanced science, and shaped the lives of thousands of patients and aspiring clinicians

 

Dr. DeFronzo’s career is marked by landmark achievements that have moved global diabetes care forward. He developed the euglycemic and hyperglycemic clamp techniques, which remain the gold standards for measuring insulin sensitivity and secretion in both research and clinical settings. His scientific vision culminated in the “Ominous Octet” theory, introduced during his 2008 Banting Lecture; this framework for understanding the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes is now taught and referenced by every major diabetes society worldwide. On a practical level, his efforts were instrumental in bringing metformin to the United States, culminating in its FDA approval in 1995—a decision that has benefitted millions of patients. Dr. DeFronzo’s role in inventing the SGLT2 inhibitor class of medications has further expanded the therapeutic horizons for diabetes treatment.

 

Beyond his groundbreaking scientific contributions, Dr. DeFronzo’s legacy runs deep in patient care and mentorship. The Texas Diabetes Institute, which he helped establish, now serves 10,000 patients each year and integrates cutting-edge research with compassionate, comprehensive care. Throughout his career, he has received many of the highest honors in medicine, including lifetime achievement awards from the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the prestigious Prince Mahidol Award in 2022 for advancements that have impacted global health.

 

Sustained by formative experiences at Harvard and the Joslin Clinic under Professor George Cahill, Dr. DeFronzo continues to lead, inspire, and innovate. Through his research, clinical work, and mentorship, he has touched countless lives, his legacy enduring in both the science and humanity of diabetes care.

 

 

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