Christina Munoz MSN, FNP

Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner

As a nurse practitioner with two years of experience in endocrinology, I provide service through direct patient care, consultation, research, education, and collaboration with other heath care professionals and other endocrinologists. The patient population to whom direct care is provided consists of adults with endocrine disorders especially Diabetes Mellitus. The care provided may include but is not limited to assessment, diagnosis, treatment/care planning, implementation, evaluation and patient education. Also as a nurse practitioner, I promote collaboration between disciplines to ensure cost effective and quality patient care.

Education:

Master of Science in Nursing – Rush University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Loyola University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics – Loyola University of Chicago

Board Certification:

Family Nurse Practitioner

Registered Nurse

Interests/ Professional focus:

• My focus is the management of adult patients with all types of Diabetes Mellitus: type 1, type 2, and steroid induced/post transplant. I collaborate with the transplant team in the management specific to the kidney and liver transplant population with the knowledge of the protocol approach to caring for transplant recipients.
• My approach includes treating the associated risk factors and/or complications of diabetes such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol and obesity.  
• I collaborate with the Diabetes Center team to offer education, patient resources, insulin pump trainings and glucose sensor initiation/interpretation.
• I continue to perform research and/or assist in the department research trials (link to research trials) that can improve clinical outcomes for patients with Diabetes Mellitus
• I am dedicated to management of diabetes mellitus in the hospital acutely. As part of the endocrine consult team I manage diabetes in those patients admitted after surgery, stroke, and patients receiving high dose steroids, as well as those in our rehab facility. The stress of these events and certain medications can cause high blood sugars that need to be followed closely in the hospital to promote positive outcomes.
• I serve as a liaison between our outpatient diabetes center and the inpatient population. I ensure that our patients seen in the hospital have proper resources, education and follow up prior to discharge.

Publications:

Munoz, C., Villanueva, G., Fogg, L., Johnson, T., Hannold, K., Agruss, J., Baldwin, D. (2008). Impact of a subcutaneous insulin protocol in the emergency department: Rush Emergency Department Hyperglycemia Intervention (REDHI). The Journal of Emergency Medicine. Accepted for publication, available online.

Umpierrez, GE., Hor, T., Smiley, D., Temponi, A., Umpierrez, D., Munoz, C., Newton, C., Peng, L., Baldwin, D. (2009). Comparison of inpatient insulin regimens with detemir plus aspart versus neutral protamine hagedorn plus regular in medical patients with type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 94 (2): 564-9.

Munoz, C., Agruss, J., Haeger, A., & Sivertsen, L. (2006). Postpartum depression: detection and treatment in the primary care setting. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 2(4): 247-253.