Kupper A Wintergerst, MD

Executive Director, Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute
Division Chief, pediatric endocrinology, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Wendy L. Novak Endowed Chair of Pediatric Diabetes Care and Clinical Research


In 2024, Kupper A. Wintergerst, M.D., was named a Louisville Business First Health Care Hero in the category of Innovator. His peers voted him as one of Louisville Magazine’s Top Docs in 2016, 2017 and 2019.


Kupper A. Wintergerst, M.D., earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville. He completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. Dr. Wintergerst is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology.

Dr. Wintergerst has been instrumental in growing the scope of care for children and adolescents with endocrine conditions.

In 2006, he moved to Louisville to take a position in the UofL School of Medicine Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and was promoted to division chief in 2014. In 2013, he was named director of the Wendy Novak Diabetes Center, the most comprehensive pediatric diabetes center in Kentucky, and became the Wendy L. Novak Endowed Chair of Pediatric Diabetes Care and Clinical Research. In 2023, he was named executive director of Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, which was formed to expand clinical care, education and research to serve children and adults living with diabetes.

Under Dr. Wintergerst’s leadership, Norton Children’s is recognized as a top program nationally in pediatric diabetes and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report. He was part of the team that established the nation’s first sports medicine program that seeks to help athletes with diabetes learn how to manage their blood sugar during sporting activities, while at the same time gathering critical information to design new interventions for this population.

Dr. Wintergerst is involved in international research efforts focused on diabetes mellitus, with the goals of improving life for patients, preventing the disease and, ultimately, curing Type 1 diabetes. In 2011, he was named site director of Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, an international research consortium for the prevention of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In 2015, he was appointed site director of the T1D Exchange Registry.

While continuing to care for patients in the clinical setting and conducting research, Dr. Wintergerst maintains a strong interest in teaching, community service and public health. He holds several local, regional and national leadership positions, including serving as Chair for the Section of Endocrinology for the American Academy of Pediatrics, site principal investigator for the Pediatric Diabetes Consortium and American Diabetes Association committees.

In his off time, Dr. Wintergerst enjoys an active lifestyle that includes playing pickleball and working out. He also enjoys traveling, reading and watching football, soccer, basketball and movies. He recently started learning how to play the guitar.