Clinical Director

Diabetes basics pertinent to screening We know that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system starts attacking its own body. The immune system is supposed to help the body fight off things such as viruses, flus, colds, etc. But sometimes it goes rogue and we don’t fully understand why yet. What we do know is that the autoimmune process is not an instantaneous event, but a slow progressive process. What this means is that we’ve figured out type 1 diabetes has three stages:1 What are autoantibodies? Autoantibodies are proteins in the blood that tells […]

Each time I try a new automated insulin delivery (AID) system, I find there are things I like and dislike about the system. As with most things, you have to find something that works for you and your diabetes management goals. For me, one of my main goals for diabetes management is to reduce my burden while getting optimal Time in Range (TIR). For the last few weeks, I have been trying out the Medtronic 780G and I’d like to share my thoughts about the system. Not the Old Medtronic CGM Those of us who have been around the block […]

There are a lot of opportunities to make life with diabetes meaningful. One of the ways some PWD do this is through their career. I know myself, along with many of my friends, have done this through a variety of ways. It’s definitely not for everyone – because when you work in diabetes and live with it, it can feel like too much diabetes. These lists are not all inclusive, but just some examples to give you a few ideas. Healthcare Professional Paths This one may be a little obvious, but what you may not know is that there are […]

When you’re traveling overseas and you have T1D, there are a number of considerations. Make sure you have a passport or visa to allow you to travel (and it’s not expired), pack the appropriate clothing, and, of course, pack enough diabetes supplies to last the whole trip. But what exactly does that look like? It depends on what you use to manage your diabetes. Here are some tips for preparing for international travel with diabetes. Bring More Than Enough Supplies If you’re using an insulin pump, pack enough to change the pump out every day of the trip. This will […]

Shaping Expectations at Diagnosis I feel very fortunate to not have much memory of my diagnosis. I was only 2 years old, and the only memories I have include a vague vision of a hospital room and my experience talking to my first diabetes psychologist. The diabetes psychologist memory is more vivid, and I remember coloring in a large room at a little toddler sized table and chair while a lady asked me questions. I remember thinking, “Why is she asking me questions? All I want to do is color.” What I do know about my family’s diagnosis experience I’ve […]

Diabetes technologies hope to improve both diabetes management and the burden that goes along with it. Countless studies have shown that use of these technologies can do both things, but they are not without their challenges. The Panther Program from the Barbara Davis Center has a lot of great resources including their page about Skin Solutions. Here are some key recommendations about Skin and Diabetes Tech. Keeping Devices Attached Some people seem to have a lot of difficulty keeping devices attached – and summer, swimming, and anything that involves sweating can make it even more of a challenge. There are […]