Will Cross

Keynote Presenter

Mountain Climber, Type 1 Since 1976

Will Cross has been living with type 1 diabetes since the age of nine. He has ascended the highest peaks on all seven continents and walked to both the North and South Poles. Cross’ 2004 Mt. Everest expedition was followed by over 37 million people. Cross led expeditions to 15 unmapped and unexplored mountains in Greenland, Patagonia, Mountains of the Moon, the Sahara Desert, and the Thar Desert of India. Cross is a member of the National Speakers Association and has been featured by CNN, BBC, The Today Show, Discovery Channel, Voice of America, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, Explorers Journal, and GQ. He seeks to get the message out that if he can control his diabetes in the most extreme conditions, no one should feel hindered by diabetes.

Will’s participation is part of Tandem Diabetes Care’s Live Life in Full Color speaker series.

James R. Gavin III, MD, PhD

Keynote Presenter

Clinical Professor of Medicine

Dr. Gavin is clinical professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Healing Our Village, Inc. Prior to this, he served as president and chief executive officer of MicroIslet, Inc., San Diego, California, and is past president of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. He served as senior scientific officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and as director of the HHMI–National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. Prior to HHMI, Dr Gavin was William K. Warren Professor for Diabetes Studies at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He belongs to a number of organizations, including the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the IOM), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI), and the American Association of Physicians (AAP). He is a past president of the ADA and was voted Clinician of the Year in Diabetes by the ADA in 1991. He has served on many advisory boards and on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Physiology and the American Journal of Medical Sciences. He is on the board of trustees for Emory University and Livingstone College. He is past national program director of the Harold Amos Faculty Development Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, past chairman of the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Partnership for a Healthier America. He has published more than 250 articles and abstracts in such publications as Science, Diabetes, and the American Journal of Physiology. He received the E.E. Just Award, the Emory University Medal for Distinguished Achievement, the Banting Medal for Distinguished Service from ADA, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Duke University School of Medicine. He was named a “Living Legend in Diabetes” by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) in 2009, and was named one of the “175 Emory History Makers” on the occasion of the celebration of the University’s 175^th Anniversary. In 2015, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Diabetes Research from ADA, and the Lifetime Meritorious Achievement Award from the NMA.

He graduated from Livingstone College, with a degree in chemistry, earned his PhD in biochemistry from Emory University and his MD degree from Duke University School of Medicine.

Trisha Porretti, RN, BSN, CDE

Keynote Presenter

PWD and Author

Trisha Porretti, RN, BSN, CDE was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1992. This diagnosis inspired her to become a nurse and a certified diabetes educator. Her area of expertise is in pediatric endocrinology and insulin pump therapy.

For 15 summers she has been a nurse at Camp Coral Kids, a camp for children with diabetes. Since 2004 she has been a motivational speaker at diabetes conferences and events throughout the United States. She is the author of the book “The Sweet Blessing: My Adventures in Diabetes”. She has encouraged and inspired patients to focus on the positive diabetes outcomes that are achievable with education, acceptance, faith, and humor.

Trisha shares her optimistic message that laughter can lower our blood sugar!

Howard S. Blank, M.D.

Associated Endocrinologists

Dr. Blank received his Bachelor of Science with Honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and he received his Doctor of Medicine from the Finch University of Health Sciences/ The Chicago Medical School. Dr. Blank completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Wayne State University, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident. He completed his fellowship in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Dr. Blank is dual certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and also Internal Medicine after earning his Board Certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has a practice interest in helping patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, along with other endocrine disease. He has a further interest in the political aspects of medical policy and has participated in visitations with members of Congress.

Wenche S. Borgnakke DDS, MPH, PhD

Senior Research Associate in Health Sciences

Wenche Sylling Borgnakke is a Senior Research Associate in Health Sciences in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She earned DDS and PhD degrees from the Royal Dental College in Copenhagen, Denmark, and a Master of Dental Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. Dr. Borgnakke has published 7 book chapters and about 70 papers, and is a reviewer for 28 scientific journals. Her latest chapter is called THE TRAVELING ORAL MICROBIOME.

Dr. Borgnakke has lectured nationally and internationally -- in countries such as Canada, Cuba, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and The United Arab Emirates. Dr. Borgnakke is a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Workgroup on Periodontitis Surveillance, and AAP awarded Dr. Borgnakke a 2012 Special Merit award, the 2013 Clinical Research Award for a 2012 paper in the Journal of Dental Research on periodontitis in the US, and the 2016 Clinical Research Award for a 2015 paper in the Journal of Periodontology based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that for the first time accurately assessed the prevalence of periodontitis in the United States.

Michael R. Brennan, DO

Co-Chief of Endocrinology

Dr. Brennan is a physician at the Beaumont Endocrine Center, affiliated with the Beaumont Health System in greater Detroit Michigan area.

He received his Master’s degree in epidemiology and completed his medical school through Michigan State University.  His residency was done in internal medicine and pediatrics at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.  He completed his endocrinology fellowship in the Henry Ford Health and Wayne State University System at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  He serves as assistant professor for both the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.  Currently, he is Co-Chief of Endocrinology at Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe.  He is currently principle investigator of several studies and clinical trials.

Terra Cushman RN, BSN, CDE

Diabetes Educator

Registered Nurse, Diabetes educator and Research Coordinator at Henry Ford Hospital for the last 25 years.

Started out in pediatrics and diabetes care with pediatric endocrinologist.  Became diabetes educator over 13 years ago.  Now work in diabetes, endocrinology bone and mineral with Davida Kruger, Dr. Bhan and Dr. Shill at Henry Ford Hospital.

Responsible for management of children and adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on insulin pumps, sensors for owning and diagnostic use.

Research Coordinator for various research studies.  Most studies incorporate the use of the different sensors

Past Volunteer at the ADA Summer Camp Midicha for kids with diabetes 2012

Recipient of the Nursing Cara Award 2012.

3^rd time presenting at Breakthrough T1D

Daniel Elsholz, MD

Pediatric Endocrinology, Sparrow Hospital

Dr. Elsholz graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1996. He trained in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, completing this training in 2000. He completed subspecialty training in Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology in 2004.

Carla Ferrise, FNP-BC

Carla has been helping people manage diabetes for past 4 years in an adult private practice. During this time she has also served as Medical Staff for Camp MIDICHA. She also developed the Inpatient Surgical Diabetes and Glycemic Management Program at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.
She loves using technology to help people ease living with diabetes, which including use of insulin pumps, continue glucose sensors, or even using apps and emails to allow patient to communicate between visits.

Jacinta Florek, LMSW, MPH

MICHIGAN MEDICINE

University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

Hello! I am the Clinical Social Worker for the Pediatric Diabetes Team in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. I earned my Masters in Social Work and Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan in 2008 (Go Blue!) with concentration areas of interpersonal practice with children and youth and health behavior and education. I joined the Diabetes Team just over 7 years ago, having worked in Pediatric Behavioral Health prior. I am a passionate advocate for our patients and families living with T1D and am honored to be able to provide support in the hospital and clinic settings, to families newly diagnosed and those experiencing the ups, downs, and milestones of management. I have a strengths-based approach and focus on supporting and empowering families. I recognize, and have learned, that diabetes is a day-in, day-out, never-get-a-break part of life, and it can be very complex and challenging.  I look for every opportunity to connect our patients and families with one another and to provide positive boosts, whether special events or small tokens, and truly feel that each and every patient and family deserve to be healthy and happy living with T1D.

Outside of the hospital I spend my time with my husband, 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. Our cousin, Noah, has been living with T1D for 6 years and is a superhero to all! I attended Camp Midicha shortly after joining the team in 2010 and it was, and still is, an experience I look forward to every year. I am so grateful for all that I have learned in that time and the amazing patients and families that I work with each day: it is a privilege to share in your T1D journey.

Thomas W. Gardner, MS, MD

University of Michigan Professor and A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute Senior Scholar

Retina and Uveitis
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Senior Scholar at the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute

Associate Chair, Research

Specialty Interests

Prevention, treatment and clinical research of diabetic retinopathy

Fellowship

Vitreo-Retinal Diseases and Surgery
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami, 1984

Research Interests

Our research is directed at understanding why diabetes damages the retina, with the goal of helping persons with diabetes maintain their vision.

Amy E. Graham

Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology; Dual Title in Infant Mental Health

Amy works at Counseling and Psychological Services at Wayne State University, where she provides short-term therapy services for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, OCD, Substance Use, and Personality Disorders. She also provides psychological assessments for children and adults at the Wayne State Psychology Clinic, diagnosing and making treatment recommendations for Learning Disorders, Personality Disorders, ADHD, Substance Use Disorders, and other various forms of psychopathology.

Additionally, Amy is a Research Fellow at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, where she develops E-Health interventions for the prevention of substance exposed pregnancies. She was introduced to Type One Diabetes research in 2016, while working as a research therapist in a study examining the effectiveness of differing types of therapies for adolescents with Type One Diabetes.

Amy lives in Grosse Pointe Park, and has four teenage children and a sweet little dog named Leo. In her free time she enjoys meditation, writing, riding her bike, and watching Netflix.

Tom Grossman

PWD and Runner/Skier/Cyclist

Time to ReThink Diabetes.

Diabetes is in desperate need of an image makeover. Despite the incredible developments in diabetes care over the last thirty years – very little seems to have changed related to public perceptions about diabetes – they are most often outdated, incorrect and can easily be demotivating to those living with diabetes.

Tom began efforts to recreate what diabetes meant to others. “I made a choice to do this by making an effort to demonstrate capability - so that others, if they noticed, would have to reconsider what they thought they knew about diabetes.” His preferred method -competing in athletic endurance events. Tom reports his efforts have been at times very enjoyable and at times incredibly awful. “I am sure that what I do has the ability to change peoples minds about diabetes – I know this because it changed mine.”

Tom was a runner in Team Type 1’s 2011 Run Across America event - completing a cross country run from California to New York City in 15 days.  All members of this 10 person team had type 1 diabetes.

Tom has had type 1 diabetes for 35 years. He is married and lives with his wife and 4 children in Midland, Michigan.

About Run Across America:

2011

Run Across America

Ran as part of the 10 person Team Type 1 Run Across America team from Oceanside, CA to New York City.

The purpose of the event was to demonstrate all that is possible with well-controlled diabetes.

Each runner covered 25 - 30 miles per day at an average pace of 7:58 minutes per mile.

This event was successfully completed in 15 days.

Andrea Haddad, BS, CCRP

Clinical Research Coordinator

I am the Clinical Research Coordinator for the department of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Michigan. I have over 10 years of research experience. During that time I have completed work in breast cancer, ophthalmology, various cancers of the head and neck, HIV, and type 1 diabetes.

I have been working with TrialNet since 2014 and truly enjoy being a part of an effort to better the lives of families living with type 1 diabetes. I am honored to be able to represent this wonderful research network at our local Breakthrough T1D events.

Matthew G. Hebdon, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor and Endocrinology Fellowship Director

1. Matthew Hebdon, MD, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor and Endocrinology Fellowship Director at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism.

He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine and pediatrics and fellowship in adult and pediatric endocrinology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Dr. Hebdon is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Ann Hoffman, RD, CDE, CSO

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and Board Certified Oncology Specialist

Ann Hoffman is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and is Board Certified as an Oncology Specialist by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

She has been working as a clinical dietitian at Covenant HealthCare for 20 years. She provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation and also assists patients in the Diabetes Self-management Department, Cardiovascular Health & Wellness Center and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department.

Nancy Holloway, RN, CDE

Nancy graduated from Michigan State University and worked at the VA Medical Center where she started the first nurse run clinic for hypertension. She became certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in 1982 and spent 32 years at the VA working in hypertension and primary care, and became a CDE in 2003. After retirement, she worked in the Botsford diabetes program, and currently volunteering her time and expertise for several agencies, including Breakthrough T1D.

Mike Hoskins

PWD and Editor: DiabetesMine.com

Diagnosed with T1D at age 5 in '84, Mike’s the son of a type 1 mom who was diagnosed at the same young age. A writer for most of his life, Mike has more than 15 years’ experience in newspapering and online journalism, as well as patient advocacy. After graduating from Oakland University with a journalism and political science degree, he's worked at weekly, daily and specialty newspapers in Michigan and Indiana.

Since 2012, Mike's been serving as managing editor at DiabetesMine.com, combining his passions for journalism and patient advocacy.  He not only covers the diabetes community, but also travels around the country to share his story and talk diabetes. When he's not writing or talking diabetes, you may find Mike digging into his own genealogy or history in general, finding adventures with his black lab Riley, or exploring the array of microbreweries and coffee houses around the Midwest.

Eileen Labadie, MA, RD, CDE

Henry Ford Diabetes Care Centers

Eileen Labadie has been part of the Henry Ford Health System since 2007, working in the Diabetes Care Center at New Center One Endocrinology and Pierson Clinics. She provides individual Medical Nutrition Therapy visits with patients, teaches group Diabetes Self-Management classes, and works with the Gestational Diabetes program.

Eileen received her Bachelor’s degree in medical dietetics from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts degree in wellness management from Ball State University. She has been a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator for more than 20 years. She has worked as a trainer with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring. She has had Type 1 diabetes since age 3 and has several family members with Type 1 diabetes as well.

Shiri Levy, MD

Henry Ford Health System

Dr. Levy received her medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Beaumont Hospital. She then went on to complete a fellowship in Endocrinology at Henry Ford Hospital and has been a senior staff physician there since 2005. Dr. Levy is also the Service Chief of Endocrinology at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

She is board-certified in Endocrinology & Metabolism, and involved in teaching residents and fellows. She is active in research and has authored publications related to diabetes and unusual fractures related to long term bisphosphonate therapy. Dr. Levy has had the distinction of being recognized as a "Top Doc" by "HOUR Detroit" Magazine for several years.

Lisa Richards, MSN, CPNP-PC

Promedica Physicians Group - Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center

Lisa is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center. She takes care of children through young adults with endocrine disease including Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid disease, Growth Hormone Deficiency and many genetic and metabolic disorders.

Lisa graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Toledo. She is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is a member of the American Academy of Diabetes Educators and the Pediatric Endocrine Nurse Society.

She lives in SE Michigan with her husband and 2 sons.

Gary Rothenberg DPM, CDE

Board Certified Podiatrist and Certified Wound Specialist

Dr. Gary Rothenberg is a Board Certified Podiatrist and Certified Wound Specialist who currently holds a Clinical Assistant Professor Faculty Appointment within the Endocrinology Division at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Previously, he served as Director of Resident Training and Attending Podiatrist at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Miami, Florida.

A graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, he completed 3 years of residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio followed by 4 years of private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. His previous private practice experience and now academic practice have focused on conservative and surgical management of the diabetic foot. Education has always been his passion -- whether working with students, residents, colleagues, or most importantly, patients, Dr. Rothenberg believes education is the key to prevention of diabetes related lower extremity complications.

Nanette Sabell, RPh, CDE

Licensed Pharmacist

Nanette has been a Licensed Pharmacist in the state of Michigan for 22 years and has specialized in diabetes since 2007. She had been with Walgreens for most of the first 21 years, and earned her Certificate as a Diabetes Educator in 2015. Nanette has volunteered with Henry Ford Health System, Diabetes Care Center to earn the 1,000 hours to help her qualify for the CDE exam.

Nanette has also been volunteering with Breakthrough T1D starting in 2015. She travels to Michigan schools educating the school staff on Type 1 Diabetes. She has volunteered for the last 4 years with the American Diabetes Association at Camp Midicha, a camp for kids with Diabetes. In her spare time, she loves to bake and she loves going to the movies with her Husband of 22 years, and spending time with their families.

Lowell Schmeltz, MD, FACE

Chief of Endocrinology

Lowell R. Schmeltz, M.D. is a board certified Endocrinologist with Associated Endocrinologists, PC in West Bloomfield, MI. He received his medical degree from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Endocrinology at Northwestern University.

Dr. Schmeltz serves as the Chief of Endocrinology at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital and is an Associate Professor at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

Dr. Schmeltz is the President of the American Diabetes Association of Southeast Michigan and serves as the Chairman of Camp MIDICHA, the American Diabetes Association camp for kids with diabetes.

Erin Tobin, PhD

Clinical Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Erin Tobin is a Clinical Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI.  She received her doctorate in clinical psychology at Wayne State University, specializing in health psychology, and completed her clinical training at various health systems across the Metro-Detroit area, including the Henry Ford Health System, William Beaumont Hospital, and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.

She is specializing in delivering brief assessments and interventions, in addition to addressing factors related to health promotion and behavior change.  As a part of her role at Henry Ford, she also completes consultations for patients across different medical services and facilitates support for health behavior change and managing chronic illness.  Her research interests have focused on the interplay between relationships, psychological, and physical health and she has published many papers in this area.

Michael Wood, MD

Clinical Director of Pediatric Diabetes

Dr. Wood received his MD at the University of Michigan in 1988. He was trained in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology at the Children's Hospital of Boston from 1998-1994. He has been a practicing pediatric endocrinologist since 1994.

Since April, 2013, he has been the clinical director of the pediatric diabetes program at the University of Michigan. He has been doing research in diabetes for more than 10 years, and was a co-investigator on the Medtronic STAR3 trial of sensor augmented pump therapy which was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.