The Diabetes Trust Foundation (DTF) has donated more than $5.5 million toward the establishment of a Comprehensive Diabetes Center at UAB to fight the rising epidemic in the disease. The center is slated to have offices and laboratories in the new Shelby Biomedical Research Building.

“We already have significant strengths in diabetes research and treatment,” said UAB President Carol Garrison when the gift was announced in early May. “Bringing together this talent under one umbrella with strong leadership will take us to the next level of excellence.”

Edward Abraham, chair of the UAB Department of Medicine, said the gift is a huge boost to UAB’s efforts to recruit an internationally renowned physician-scientist to lead the new center. “This is a top priority for us that will have a significant impact on the health of Alabamians,” Abraham said.

The DTF was founded in 1964 by the late Dr. Buris R. Boshell and his friends and colleagues. Boshell was a world-renowned UAB physician-educator and directed the Boshell Diabetes Research and Education Center at UAB. The building still bears his name.

John D. Smith, chair of the Diabetes Trust Fund Board of Directors, said the funds given to UAB will further the DTF’s long-standing mission of providing a better future for diabetics by supporting cutting-edge research, quality professional and public education and treatment and community services.

“Now, with this gift to support a comprehensive diabetes center for research, education and patient care, we are truly coming full circle to support something Dr. Boshell cared very deeply about,” Smith said. “I believe he would have been delighted to see his dream fulfilled.”