Minneapolis
Professor Emeritus David E. R. Sutherland, MD, PhD, (1940-2025), served as the Chief of the Division of Transplantation from 1995-2009 and directed the Schulze Diabetes Institute from 1994-2013. He is remembered as the father of pancreas transplant and a pioneer in islet transplant, as it is practiced today. Join the University of Minnesota May 14-15, 2026, as they honor Dr. Sutherland's legacy of innovation in diabetes research and his dedication to patients and trainees.
May 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall
May 15, 2026 | 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Coffman Memorial Union Theater
Room Reservations at the Graduate Hotel
The University of Minnesota hasa small block of rooms reserved at the Graduate Hotel in Minneapolis for this event (checking in 5/14/26 and checking out 5/15/26) at a negotiated rate of $184/night. You may use this LINK to make your reservation now!
Contact Us
We will continue to be in communication between now and the event. If you have any immediate questions, please contact Carly Ryan. | ryan1025@umn.edu | 612-625-5609
Support the Symposium
If you are interested in purchasing a table at the David E.R. Sutherland Diabetes Symposium Memorial Dinner on May 14, 2026, to help support this event, please reach out to Carly Ryan (ryan1025@umn.edu). For other sponsorship opportunities, visit https://z.umn.edu/sutherland2026.
Accreditation
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Professor Emeritus David E. R. Sutherland, MD, PhD, passed away on March 23, 2025. Dr. Sutherland began his illustrious career at the University of Minnesota in the 1960s working in the Immunology Laboratory of Dr. Robert A. Good. After completing his medical degree, Dr. Sutherland served two years in the Army, a period that helped shape his strong sense of discipline, multitasking, and leadership. He became a surgical fellow and trainee of Dr. John S. Najarian, eventually serving as faculty within the Division of Transplantation beginning in 1976. During that time, he was the Chief of the Division of Transplantation from 1995-2009 and Directed the Schulze Diabetes Institute from Dr. Sutherland 1994-2013. He is remembered as the father of pancreas transplant and a pioneer in islet transplant, as it is practiced today.
Dr. Sutherland led the University of Minnesota’s pancreas transplant program—one of the world’s most prolific—and achieved several historic firsts, including the world’s first clinical islet transplant (1974), total pancreatectomy with islet auto-transplant (1977), and living-donor partial pancreas transplant (1979). He founded the International Pancreas Transplant Registry in 1980 and served as the President of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (1990); of the Cell Transplantation Society (1994); of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (1995); and of The Transplantation Society (2002).
Crowning his distinguished career, he received the prestigious Medawar Prize in 2012 followed by the ASA Medallion for Scientific Achievement in 2016. Equally, if not more importantly, David Sutherland was a compassionate physician who shared deeply in his patients' struggles and triumphs. He performed thousands of transplants that freed many from insulin and dialysis for life. A humble and widely respected surgeon, he was a beloved mentor who trained transplant surgeons across the globe. He shaped future leaders in the field of pancreas and islet transplantation through his humanity, visionary spirit, and groundbreaking work, all while remaining deeply rooted in Minnesota and devoted to his personal passions. His legacy of innovation and compassion continues through the Sutherland-Butterfield Professorship, currently held by Dr. Raja Kandaswamy.