Straub ends affiliation with
mainland diabetes center

Economic reasons cited

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Straub Clinic & Hospital no longer is associated with the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, although diabetes services at the hospital are continuing, a Straub spokeswoman said.

When the affiliation was announced in 1995, hospital officials said it would allow Straub to bring the latest knowledge in diabetes research and treatment to patients.

Gov. Ben Cayetano said it demonstrated that Hawaii can provide a market for world-renowned health-care providers.

But Straub paid "a significant annual franchise fee" just for the use of Joslin's name at the hospital's Joslin Diabetes Center, said spokeswoman Michelle Jerin Shirai.

It has been dropped for economic reasons, she said.

Shirai emphasized that there will be no interruption in service to diabetes patients and patients "will continue to receive excellent care."

She said a team approach will continue with multifaceted treatment by an array of specialists.

Dr. Ralph Beddow, a Straub endocrinologist, said Joslin consultants came here for yearly seminars, which were well-attended.

But Beddow noted he started the Diabetes Center of the Pacific at Straub in 1972, long before it adopted Joslin's name.

He retired from Straub in 1990 but was approached to return part time in 1996 to see patients at the Joslin Diabetes Center.