Jennifer Burgos, AGPCNP-BC, has been a healthcare professional for 20 years working in all capacities in a patient centered model and collaborating approach for continuation of care. Inspired by experiences and witnessing the profound impact healthcare professionals had on individuals and communities, Jennifer embarked on a journey to become a nurse practitioner. Blending her expertise in nursing with advanced clinical skills to deliver comprehensive and empathetic care. Jennifer’s commitment to ongoing growth has led her to her current role in becoming a trusted advocate for patients' endocrine health. Jennifer is a native Floridian who enjoys the beach, and she loves spending time with her husband and their three sons.

Haley Flores, MA, AMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working with youth in the Bay Area. She received her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University where she emphasized in health psychology: studying the relationship between mental health and physical health. She is proud to be living with type 1 diabetes and has spent time working on a study seeking to optimize family-based interventions for teens with type 1 and their parents at Stanford University. Her goal is to continue supporting the mental health of youth living with type 1 diabetes.

Shayna Frost, RD, LDN, CDCES, is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who works for the MedStar Diabetes Institute in Washington D.C. Shayna has spoken about diabetes and nutrition at national and state conferences through the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. When she's not working, she volunteers for the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Shayna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University. Her passion for learning more about diabetes and advocating for patients with diabetes is closely tied to helping others like her father, who has type 1 diabetes.

Kelsey Gossett, MSW, LCSW, earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Indiana University in 2005 and her Master of Social Work in 2007. During her 19-year career, she has provided counseling and crisis intervention services to adults and adolescents dealing with serious mental illness and addiction. In November 2023, Kelsey received an exciting opportunity to work as an embedded therapist at Riley Children’s Hospital in a Pediatric Endocrinology/Diabetes Clinic. Having lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 20 years, Kelsey is thrilled about her new role, supporting children and adolescents as they navigate the complex challenges of living with diabetes.

Xin Guo, CDCES, BC-ADM, RD, MS, is a dedicated healthcare professional specializing in diabetes care and education. She holds credentials as a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and is Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM). Passionate about diabetes from the start of her career, she excels in integrating the latest advancements and evidence-based practices into patient care. Known for her empathetic approach, Xin empowers patients with practical, personalized guidance. Actively involved in community outreach and professional development, she is committed to improving the lives of those with diabetes through education and support.

Wanqi (Tina) Jing, MA, MED, RD, CDCES, is a certified diabetes care and education specialist at Texas Children's Hospital. With a deep passion for pediatric healthcare, Wanqi is dedicated to supporting children with type 1 diabetes and their families. Leveraging expertise and compassion, she strives to empower young patients and their caregivers with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage diabetes effectively.

Valentina Mancioppi, MD, is a Paediatrician at The Unit of Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolism - Regional Center for Pediatric Diabetes, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Italy. Since 2022, she is a PhD Student in Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences. In April 2023 she attended the ISPAD Science School for Physicians in Verbania, Italy. She is the Author of 18 scientific publications (original articles, reviews, book chapters). Referee for the J of Pediatrics and Hindawi. Dr. Mancioppi is a member of numerous scientific societies, including International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (Jenious Ambassador from 2021-2023), European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology, and the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Valeriia Muradova, MD, is a pediatric endocrinology fellow passionate about advancing care for children with endocrine disorders, especially diabetes. After earning her medical degree from Saint Petersburg Pediatric Medical University, her interest in pediatric endocrinology deepened, driving her to pursue a fellowship at the University of Florida. Prior to this, she was actively involved in endocrine research. Currently, at the University of Florida, Valeriia focuses on pediatric endocrine conditions and diabetes management, while also engaging in diabetes research. Her ultimate dream is to contribute to finding a cure for diabetes. Outside of medicine, Valeriia enjoys gardening, sourdough bread making, and exploring Florida.

Stephanie Nickerson, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and works with youth and their families diagnosed with diabetes in the Diabetes Center for Children at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Stephanie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2007 as a teenager. Her own diagnosis inspired Stephanie's commitment to ensuring all youth and their families diagnosed with diabetes receive psychosocial support and equitable healthcare as they navigate their chronic illness. Stephanie received her bachelor's in social work from Sacred Heart University and her master's in social work at the University of Pennsylvania.

H. Javier Velasquez, MD, FAAP, is a passionate Pediatric Endocrinology fellow currently at Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine. He aims to provide state-of-the-art patient care while contributing to the advancement of the field and teaching young generations. He is dedicated to offering quality care to all of his patients that one would desire for his/her own family. His main clinical and research interest is type 1 diabetes, focused on the role of risk factors and social determinants of health that contribute to obesity in patients with type 1 diabetes. He is excited to be a first timer at Friends for Life Orlando 2024.

Steven Zortman, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, CDCES, became part of the type 1 diabetes community on May 24, 2013, when his daughter, Riley, was diagnosed at the age of three. His family spent three days on the diabetes floor at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. When his daughter was discharged, Steven told his wife, "This is what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I'm going to nursing school and I will be a diabetes nurse educator." Steven graduated from nursing school in December 2017, passed NCLEX in February 2018, graduated with his BSN in 2021 and passed the CDCES Exam in March 2024. Steven has been a professional diabetes nurse educator since July 2021. In 2019, his family learned about TrialNet and his other two children were signed up. His daughter, Hannah, tested negative, however, his son, Andrew, tested positive for three autoantibodies. Over the last five years, Andrew was monitored and was officially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on April 14, 2024. Steven is very passionate about providing education and care to patients and families living with diabetes and as a registered nurse, cannot see himself in any other role.