David A. D'Alessio, MD
Diabetes and Metabolism Specialist, Endocrinologist
My Locations
About Me
I am an endocrinologist with a primary interest in diabetes and metabolic diseases. As director of the Duke Division of Endocrinology, my goals are to ensure excellent care to patients with endocrine disorders in our region, and to develop new systems of care that advance future medical practice.
- Lindquist Presidential Distinguished Chair, Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition 2024
- Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition 2015
- Chief, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition 2014
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Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
My research focuses on the causes of type 2 diabetes, especially abnormal insulin secretion.
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SIGNALIRB# PRO00117291
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2024 - 2029
- Alpha- to Beta-Cell Communication in Health and Disease awarded by National Institutes of Health 2024 - 2029
- Kirk, S., B. Brehm, B. E. Saelens, J. G. Woo, E. Kissel, D. D’Alessio, C. Bolling, and S. R. Daniels. Role of carbohydrate modification in weight management among obese children: A randomized clinical trial. Vol. 109, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1159/000356352.
- D’Alessio, David, and Steven E. Kahn. “The Normal 93: Linking the β-Cell and Insulin Sensitivity: Revisiting a 1993 Diabetes Classic by Kahn et al. (Accepted)” Diabetes 74, no. 5 (May 2025): 668–71. https://doi.org/10.2337/dbi24-0049.
- Müller, Timo D., Alice Adriaenssens, Bo Ahrén, Matthias Blüher, Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Jonathan E. Campbell, Matthew P. Coghlan, et al. “Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).” Mol Metab 95 (May 2025): 102118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2025.102118.
- Kahn, Steven E., Cheryl A. M. Anderson, John B. Buse, Elizabeth Selvin, and David A. D’Alessio. “NIDDK at 75 Years of Age: Great Triumphs but Concerns for Its Longevity.” Diabetes, April 2025, dbi250019. https://doi.org/10.2337/dbi25-0019.
- Page, L. C., M. D. Miller, D. D’Alessio, and J. Tong. “Gastrointestinal hormones and the control of food intake and energy metabolism.” In Contemporary Endocrinology, 43–61, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68192-4_3.
- Tong, J., D. Sandoval, and D. D’Alessio. “Textbook of Diabetes,” 2016.
- Sandoval, D., J. Tong, and D. D’Alessio. “Glucagon in Islet and Metabolic Regulation.” In Textbook of Diabetes, Fifth Edition, 103–13, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118924853.ch7.
- ILAIWY, A. M. R. O., A. D. A. M. MINCEY, JAMES R. BAIN, M. I. C. H. A. E. L. MUEHLBAUER, J. O. N. A. T. H. A. N. CAMPBELL, and DAVID A. D’ALESSIO. “781-P: Beyond Glucosuria: Urine Metabolome Signature Associated with Dapagliflozin in Wild-Type Mice.” In Diabetes, Vol. 70. American Diabetes Association, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2337/db21-781-p.
- GRAY, SARAH M., G. U. O. -. F. A. N. G. ZHANG, W. I. L. L. I. A. M. BENNETT, J. E. N. N. Y. TONG, J. O. N. A. T. H. A. N. CAMPBELL, and DAVID A. D’ALESSIO. “198-OR: The Stimulatory Effect of Glucagon on Insulin Secretion Is Glucose Dependent in Healthy Human Subjects.” In Diabetes, Vol. 70. American Diabetes Association, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2337/db21-198-or.
- GILROY, CASLIN A., M. E. G. A. N. CAPOZZI, JONATHAN C. SU, J. E. N. N. Y. TONG, DAVID A. D’ALESSIO, J. O. N. A. T. H. A. N. CAMPBELL, and A. S. H. U. T. O. S. H. CHILKOTI. “1016-P: A Novel GLP-1 and FGF-21 Dual Agonist Drug Protects Mice from Obesity and Hyperglycemia.” In Diabetes, Vol. 68. American Diabetes Association, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2337/db19-1016-p.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Advent Health- Translational Research Institute
- American Diabetes Association
- Eli Lilly & Co.
- MBX Bioscience
- Structure Therapeutics
- Sun Pharmaceuticals
My first visit to Duke Health! Staff is amazing had a wonderful experience!
Dr D'Alessio is awesome! He is very thorough and courteous, he takes the time to answer all my questions.
Dr D'Alessio and staff are superb in every way. Care is supreme!
Excellent care. All staff were knowledgeable and professional!
Dr. D'Alessio was unusually patient in covering all the details related to the medication for my thyroid problem and about what I should expect in the weeks and months ahead.
I haven't felt this at ease in a long time. My visit was outstanding. I was truly amazed with Dr. D knowledge. Thank you Duke Medical Center for employing a brilliant doctor.
All good
Efficiently run office. Dr. D'Alessio is wonderful and always spends time with thoughtful and thorough explanations