CRMC Surgeons Help Lead First-in-Human Type 2 Diabetes Study

We’re proud to share that Cuyuna Regional Medical Center was one of only three sites selected in the United States for a first-in-human study focused on advanced technology treatment for Type 2 diabetes. The study, part of an international clinical trial, was led by Dr. Howard McCollister and Dr. Paul Severson, General Surgeons who previously practiced at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and was supported by several CRMC team members. Both surgeons are known for their innovation, leadership, and advanced skills in general, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic procedures, including leading the first triple-accredited fellowship program.

United States participants involved in the study included CRMC, Mayo Clinic (Rochester), and the University of Southern California (USC). The recent release of the publication addressing this advanced endoscopic technology for Type 2 diabetes highlights the potential for future opportunities in additional disease treatment. It is with gratitude and honor that Dr. McCollister and Dr. Severson helped establish CRMC as an early leader in minimally invasive surgery, advanced endoscopic procedures, and clinical research.

A New Approach to Treating Type 2 Diabetes

The study, published, evaluated a first-of-its-kind therapy called pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, which targets the lining of the small intestine to help restore metabolic function. For patients struggling with Type 2 diabetes despite medication, this approach may one day offer an additional option for improving blood sugar control.

“Diabetes, this is a devastating disease,” noted CRMC Surgeon Paul Severson, MD. “It slowly eats away at a person. If there are people who can have an outpatient simple endoscopic procedure, this will be a tremendous opportunity.”

Why This Research Matters

Type 2 diabetes affects millions of people worldwide, including right here in central Minnesota. Innovations like this provide hope for future treatments that could be less invasive, non-drug-based, and help improve long-term health outcomes.

Our physicians are committed not only to caring for patients today, but also to shaping the future of medicine. Dr. Severson’s role in this clinical study reflects CRMC’s dedication to advancing research and expanding treatment possibilities for those living with chronic conditions.

“One of the things that we noticed in the bariatric world is that people who would get a gastric bypass operation, wherein the duodenum is actually bypassed, we would find that their blood sugars would normalize within a matter of days, to weeks,” said CRMC Surgeon Howard McCollister. “What we began to find was that there was a metabolic pathway, just as a result of bypassing the duodenum. We found that ablating the duodenum is one way of treating Type 2 Diabetes, or Diabetes in general.”

Clinical Study Results

The research followed patients for 48 weeks and found that the PEF therapy was:

• Safe: No device or procedure-related serious adverse events were reported.
• Technically feasible: The procedure was successfully completed in all participants.
• Promising: Patients saw improvements in blood sugar levels, fasting glucose, and metabolic markers over time.

“Most people wouldn’t expect a small critical access hospital in Northern Minnesota to be leading a national clinical trial ahead of institutions like Mayo Clinic and USC – but that’s exactly what CRMC did. Being part of that story was an extraordinary experience, and it speaks to the caliber of care happening here,” said General Surgeon and Interventional Endoscopist Dr. Evan Kelly.

CRMC was the lead enrolling site in this international clinical study. While more research is needed, these early results are encouraging and pave the way for continued innovation in diabetes care.