New Latinx Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinic

Dr. Christine Limonte, assistant professor (Nephrology) is heading the new Latinx Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinic at Harborview Medical Center to serve patients of all stages of chronic kidney disease.

Diabetes affects over 16 million Americans and about 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has kidney disease.

Latinx people are at higher risk for developing diabetes and prediabetes plus complications from the disease, such as kidney failure, limb amputations and vision loss.

Many factors contribute to this disparity such as social determinates of health and barriers to access including transportation and language barriers.

The Latinx DKD Clinic aims to break down these barriers through targeted outreach and culturally informed care practices. By providing services in Spanish and partnering with programs like the Latinx Diabetes Clinic, the clinic ensures that patients receive care that respects their cultural background and addresses their unique needs.

The clinic is available Friday afternoons and open to Harborview patients as well as patients from the greater Seattle area.

Looking ahead, Limonte envisions expanding the clinic’s offerings. Plans are in motion to introduce a monthly multidisciplinary day where patients can access a range of specialists, including endocrinologists and ophthalmologists. This holistic approach will help provide patients with comprehensive care to treat their diabetes and any other co-occurring conditions.  

Dr. Christine Limonte is a nephrologist practicing at Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center at Montlake and the Puget Sound VA, and is a member of the Kidney Research Institute.

Her research interests are in diabetic kidney disease and diabetes complications and she is passionate about expanding kidney care access for Spanish speaking patients. Among many accolades, Limonte is the 2024 recipient of the Department of Medicine Diversity Academic Development Scholarship Award.