Home Page
Gillette Children’s has been officially designated as a Collaborative Care Center by the GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation, joining a growing network of clinical partners dedicated to improving care for individuals living with GLUT1 Deficiency. The designation recognizes Gillette Children’s for its comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach and its commitment to centering patients and families in all aspects of care.
GLUT1 Deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that impairs the brain’s ability to transport and use glucose as fuel. It can cause severe neurological issues such as seizures, movement problems, developmental delays and cognitive impairment. GLUT1 often begins in infancy. The main treatment is a ketogenic diet (high fat, low carbohydrate) to provide alternative fuel for the brain, which typically yields significant improvement among patients.
The GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation is a parent‑led patient advocacy organization focused on awareness, education, advocacy, and research to support individuals affected by this rare neurological condition. Collaborative Care Centers within the network work together to advance clinical understanding, strengthen care pathways, and support families through shared learning and coordinated expertise.
“We are honored to join the GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation’s Collaborative Care Network,” said Nicole Williams‑Donnan, MD, pediatric neurologist at Gillette Children’s. “This designation reflects our team’s dedication to providing high‑quality, family‑centered care for children with rare neurological conditions. We look forward to contributing to shared research efforts and learning alongside other centers to advance the understanding and treatment of GLUT1 Deficiency.”
As part of the designation, Gillette Children’s will participate in several ongoing network initiatives, including clinical work groups focused on developing a disease severity scale, establishing a core outcome set to support clinical trial readiness, and enhancing data collection to strengthen the Foundation’s natural history research efforts.
This designation underscores Gillette Children’s continued commitment to advancing care for children with rare and complex neurological disorders and its partnership in a broader effort to improve outcomes for families affected by GLUT1 Deficiency.
Gillette Children’s is nationally recognized for its leadership in caring for children with complex brain, bone, and movement conditions. Its multidisciplinary model aligns closely with the goals of the Collaborative Care Network, which emphasizes comprehensive care, collaboration across institutions, and continuous improvement in clinical outcomes.
