First Appointment

Everything You Need to Know for Your First Appointment

As part of our effort to restore you to good health, the UC Health Pancreatic Disease Center offers clinical consultations for patients by appointment every Wednesday. 

We welcome both inpatient and outpatient referrals from across the nation. Patients are welcome to schedule appointments without a physician referral. 

What to Bring to Your First Appointment 

To ensure you get the most out of your first visit with us, please bring the following: 

• Release of Medical Information if you have not been referred by your attending physician or specialist. This allows us access to your medical records. 
• Insurance card.
• List of current medications, including dosage and frequency information.
• Most recent CT scan on film or disc.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first appointment will last 45 minutes to one hour. Please arrive 15 minutes ahead of time. You are always welcome to bring a family member or friend with you to your appointments for support and encouragement. 

Here is what you can expect during your first appointment:

A consultation to review your complete health history, a review of your medical records and a physical exam.

Your nurse or attending physician may also request tests to evaluate your pancreatic enzyme levels, liver functions and tumor markers.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What services does the UC Health Pancreatic Disease Center offer that I cannot find elsewhere? According to research, patients have better outcomes when treatment is received from a health system that specializes in pancreatic diseases versus a general hospital or general physician. Specialized centers lead to better overall well-being and higher survival rates. The UC Health Pancreatic Disease Center is one of only a few medical centers nationally recognized for total pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplantation. We are also one of a select few centers that offer specialized clinical trials related to pancreatic diseases and pancreatic cancer. Additionally, our nursing staff, physicians and surgeons have been nationally recognized for outstanding patient care.
• Can I begin treatments with UC Health after going somewhere else? Yes, you may receive treatment from our center after going somewhere else. However, we strongly suggest you start your treatments with the UC Health Pancreatic Disease Center. Studies have shown that patients who receive treatment and surgery at a center specializing in the specific medical problem that they are being treated for have a lower rate of mortality, which means a better outcome for the patient. Our specialists have expertise in all types of pancreatic diseases and receive ongoing education and training to keep them on the leading-edge of the latest treatments.
• Do I have to come to my appointments alone? Absolutely not. You are welcome to bring a spouse, family member or friend. Support is very important during these times. You will receive a lot of new information during your visit, and having someone attend your appointments with you can be helpful in remembering questions to ask and information provided by our staff. Most importantly, they can be there for you.
• What types of treatments are typically done on an outpatient basis? Normally, lab work, radiology and endoscopy testing or treatments are outpatient services. These services are administered in an outpatient office or University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Some treatments and procedures may require sedation followed by recovery under observation. Most of these procedures are done on an outpatient basis, meaning you will be able to leave after the recovery period. If you are scheduled for surgery, you will stay overnight at UC Medical Center after your surgery. If you are traveling from out of town, there are several hotels that offer family members reduced rates.
• Are there clinical trials at UC Health that I can be a part of? Yes, we do offer clinical trials in the Pancreatic Disease Center. For more information on how to find one that may be right for you, visit the office of clinical trials.