Ana L. Creo, M.D.

Ana Leigh Creo, M.D., is an associate professor of pediatrics and pediatric endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Creo cares for children and adolescents with all forms of diabetes and disorders of growth, offering individualized care that incorporates the latest advances in genetics, technology, and immunology. With a clinical focus on type 1 diabetes, including early intervention strategies and immunology-based treatments, she is dedicated to helping families navigate care decisions that optimize their child's health and quality of life. She also has expertise and a particular interest in compassionate, individualized care for children and families navigating type 2 diabetes, obesity and weight-related concerns, recognizing that body weight is influenced by complex biological, genetic, developmental, and environmental factors and that children and families deserve obesity carefree from blame or stigma. Her expertise includes early-onset pediatric obesity, genetic and monogenic causes of obesity, the thoughtful use of obesity medications in children, type 2 diabetes, and lipid disorders in children.

As director of Mayo Clinic's Pediatric Diabetes Clinics, Dr. Creo also leads efforts to expand access to advanced insulin management and diabetes technology conducting research on many aspects of diabetes. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams to improve both current treatments and future possibilities diabetes prevention and disease-modifying therapies.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Creo provides advanced and family-centered care for children and adolescents, with expertise in:

• Type 1 diabetes: Diagnosis and management from early stages through adolescence, including people at risk for developing type 1 diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes: Comprehensive care strategies for youth with type 2 diabetes.
• Genetic and monogenic forms of diabetes: Individualized management and integration of genetic testing into care plans.
• Interventional diabetology: Therapies aimed at altering the course of type 1 diabetes and prevention in at-risk individuals.
• Diabetes immunology: Clinical and research focus on immune-mediated processes and targeted treatments.
• Diabetes technology: Advanced insulin delivery platforms and continuous glucose monitoring systems for optimal glucose control.
• Obesity and monogenic, early-onset obesity: Compassionate, evidence-based care that recognizes the complex biological and genetic factors that influence weight and prioritizes each child's health, well-being, and quality of life without blame or stigma. Expertise includes evaluation of early-onset and monogenic obesity and individualized use of lifestyle, medical and pharmacologic treatment options for children and adolescents.
• Lipid disorders: Individualized evaluation and treatment of cholesterol and triglyceride disorders in children and adolescents, including consideration of genetic and familial causes, with a focus on long-term cardiovascular health.
• Growth and growth disorders: Evaluation and management of growth concerns, including individualized treatment approaches.

Research and expertise

Dr. Creo's research explores innovative approaches to improve the lives of children and adolescents with diabetes. She serves as site director and principal investigator for TrialNet at Mayo Clinic, focusing on immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes prevention and long-term health outcomes. Her work spans clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies, diabetes technology innovations, and strategies to reduce disparities in diabetes care. She has a strong educational role, mentoring trainees and developing curricula on pediatric endocrinology and diabetes management.

Board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Creo completed her medical degree at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, followed by residency, chief residency, and fellowship training at Mayo Clinic.

Personal note

"I believe the best care starts with really getting to know a child and their family—what matters to them, what they are worried about, and what they hope to achieve. I want families to feel heard, supported, and comfortable asking questions, especially when there isn't one right answer. My role is to bring the best available evidence and new advances in genetics, technology, and immunology to those conversations, and then work together to find an approach that makes sense for that individual child and family."