Apoorva Gomber

My name is Apoorva Gomber. I am currently working at the intersections of global health, diabetes research, and advocacy. My medical training and passion for global health and social justice have taken me on many interesting adventures across the globe but I was born in Delhi, India, into a family of very inspiring doctors where I only imagined following the footsteps of my parents by treating patients and serving the community. Perhaps not far into my life’s journey, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, and while still trying to make sense of my own diagnosis and living with it as I went through phases of denial and overcoming the cultural stigma in society by hiding my diagnosis as a female in India. However, my passion for diabetes and endocrinology became a unique part of my own illness narrative and identity, and gradually, I started being an advocate for not only myself but also the patients and people I connected with living with diabetes globally. The incredible resilience, love, and commitment I have experienced working closely with so many people in the diabetes space in the face of adversity has only encouraged me to embark on this path and has instilled so much courage and compassion to be a voice for my community. Living with diabetes for 16 years has taught me that every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. As an individual who is fortunate enough to have certain privileges and access to resources, I believe it is my responsibility to advocate for others with type one diabetes to have access to the necessary tools, education, and resources that can make managing diabetes a little easier every day. Through my personal and professional efforts, I have been working towards gaining the clinical skillset to manage diabetes for my patients, to hear them out, and strengthen diabetes care, especially for those people living in many low and middle-income countries as I come from similar settings who faced cultural stigma as a young teenager diagnosed with diabetes and who struggled to have access to the essential resources and support from the very beginning even though I was born in a family of doctors. Moving forward, I am eager to continue collaborating with others to make strides toward a future where diabetes care is accessible to all, regardless of circumstances and geographical boundaries. Together, we can put our best foot forward and work toward a brighter tomorrow for every person living with type 1 diabetes. Dealing with diabetes is a daunting task, even with the best resources and tools. However, one thing is for sure – you don’t have to go through it alone. There are days when you have to stand in front of the mirror and just say to your strongest reflection, ‘I am so proud of you. You got this!’