University of Louisville professor named Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute Endowed Chair

Focus on transition in care from pediatrics to adult

University of Louisville (UofL) School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics associate professor Lisal J. Folsom, M.D., M.S., has been named the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation Philip Sandlin Transition in Care Endowed Chair. Dr. Folsom also serves as medical director, Adult Diabetes – Endocrinology, Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute and an endocrinologist and director for the Transition in Care programs for the Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine.

With expertise in treating both children and adult endocrinology patients, Dr. Folsom has been central to the development of the Transition to Adult Diabetes (TAD) program. She is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology by the American Board of Pediatrics, as well as in both internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include transition from pediatric to adult diabetes, and endocrinology care and nutrition.

The Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation Philip Sandlin Transition in Care Endowed Chair is made possible thanks to the generosity of Philip Sandlin and the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.

About Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s 
Diabetes impacts millions of Americans and can be a difficult disease to manage. Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute provides state-of-the-art, cutting-edge clinical care, community education, medical education and research toward not only curing Type 1 diabetes, but also enabling children and adults with diabetes to live healthier, more active lives.

Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute practices an integrated approach to diabetes care and management. By offering an array of innovative, family-centered initiatives, they empower patients and their families to confidently manage diabetes.

In addition to providing care for adults through Norton Healthcare, Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute is a service of Norton Children’s Hospital, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is recognized as having one of the nation’s top diabetes programs. The hospital is listed 14th in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 rankings for pediatric diabetes and endocrinology, fueled by funding from the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation. This funding aims to expand and elevate diabetes care services while helping children and adults with diabetes manage their conditions.

 Learn more at WendyNovakDiabetesInstitute.com