Community Summit 2025 – Central Ohio

February 1, 2025, Westerville, OH
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Breakthrough T1D Community Summit is an educational and networking opportunity for all those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). This year, the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit will bring our community together to learn from T1D experts, hear about the latest breakthroughs in T1D research, meet vendor exhibitors, connect with others impacted by T1D, and more!

Join Us for an Inspiring T1D Community Event

This free event is designed to bring together the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) community, including newly diagnosed families, individuals living with T1D, caregivers, and supporters.

What to Expect:

  • Keynote Speaker: Hear from April Blackwell, a NASA pilot, engineer, and T1D advocate, as she shares her inspiring journey of breaking barriers and thriving with diabetes.
  • Breakout Sessions: Participate in discussions tailored for both newly diagnosed families and those with years of T1D experience.
  • Research and Clinical Trials: Explore the latest advancements in T1D care and management in a dedicated session.
  • Insights from Blue Circle Health: Learn valuable tips and gain support from experienced professionals.
  • Activities for All Ages: Enjoy engaging activities, including special sessions for kids.
  • Community Connections: Meet others in the T1D community and build lasting connections.

Registration is required to attend this event. Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and find inspiration for living boldly with T1D. Register today and be part of a day dedicated to education, support, and community.

Schedule

  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Vendor Fair & Networking, Snacks Provided

    1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Welcome Message, Keynote Presentation, and Research Update
    (Kids will participate)

    2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
    Kid Zone Check-In & Vendor Fair

    2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
    Breakout Session 1 (2 Options)

    3:00 PM – 3:10 PM
    Break/Vendors/Snacks

    3:10 PM – 3:50 PM
    Breakout Session 2 (3 Options)

    3:50 PM – 4:00 PM
    Vendor Fair & Networking

    4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
    Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing, and Closing

    4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
    Kid Zone Check-Out, Vendor Fair

  • Option #1: Clinical Trials and Early Detection: Unlocking the Future of T1D

    Clinical trials and screening are essential to shaping the future of T1D. Take a journey with us to understand how your active participation in clinical trials and screening can contribute to advancements in the field. This engaging session empowers individuals to take a step forward and help advance life changing breakthroughs for T1D.

    Moderator: Natalie Bellini

    Option #2: Transitioning to Adulthood with T1D: Resources & Tips for Success from Blue Circle Health

    Join Eleni Sheehan and Carrie Matuzsan, healthcare professionals living with T1D, as they share resources and insights from Blue Circle Health to help adults navigate the transition to adult diabetes care.

    Moderators: Eleni Sheehan FNP-BC, CDCES and Carrie Matuzsan Case Manager, LSW, CDCES

  • Option #1: BEEP or BUZZ? Human factors in the cockpit vs. diabetes devices

    Do you ever consider how diabetes data is delivered to you? What works and what could be better? Buckle your seatbelts and put your tray table up as we take off into the world of human factors! We’ll even design our own ideal diabetes device and compare settings with fellow diabetes captains!

    Speaker: April Blackwell

    Option #2: A New School Year, A New Plan: Diabetes Management Across Transitions

    This session provides tools and strategies to help families manage type 1 diabetes during major transitions, offering guidance on care plans, school collaboration, and empowering children to advocate for their needs.

    Moderators: Megan Harrison(School Nurse), Steve Zortman (NCH), Brian Weikert (School Nurse), Molly Fulton 

    Option #3: Mastering Diabetes Through Exercise: Fuel, Train, Stabilize

    Ken, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2007, shares his holistic approach to managing diabetes through education and inspiration as the founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast.

    Moderator: Ken Kniss

  • We are thrilled to include a Youth and Teen Program as part of this year’s Breakthrough T1D Community Summit!

    To ensure a safe and secure experience, we kindly ask for your assistance with the following:

    • Registration: All children participating in the Youth and Teen Program must be registered. When registering your family, please select the appropriate ticket type:
      • Youth Ticket: For children in kindergarten through 7th grade.
      • Teen Ticket: For children in 8th through 12th grade.

    Thank you for helping us create a fun and welcoming environment for everyone!

  • We’re thrilled to announce that TrialNet will be joining us at the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Community Summit! TrialNet is a dedicated network of physicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals at the forefront of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research. Many of their team members have a personal connection to T1D, which fuels their passion for supporting families affected by the disease. You can consider them family, too.

    TrialNet screening will be available at the Summit! TrialNet offers free screening for individuals at risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes, helping to identify early signs of the disease before it fully develops. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to participate in this life-changing program.

    TrialNet will also be available to answer any questions you may have about their screening programs, research, and clinical trials. They’ll provide information on how you can get involved in these groundbreaking studies and how they’re working toward making T1D a disease of the past.

Speakers

Close Bio

April Blackwell

Keynote Speaker

Aerospace Engineer at NASA

Bio

April Blackwell

Keynote Speaker

Aerospace Engineer at NASA

April Blackwell's mission is to push the limits of what it means to live with type 1 diabetes. For her, the journey is the destination. Along the way, she aims to educate outward and advocate upwards, literally to the stars.
As a five-year-old, April decided on a career of becoming an astronaut. However, a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis at age 11 presented a barrier - T1D is an automatic disqualification to become a NASA astronaut. Instead of giving up, she doubled down, learning Russian in high school, excelling in math, and attaining an Aerospace Engineering degree on a full-ride scholarship. In her aerospace career, April has flown more than 250 hours in experimental Army aircraft as a flight test engineer and passed qualifications in the Army Special Operations helicopter dunker program, altitude chamber, and parachute course -- all of which normally preclude T1D participants. She also maintains her certification as an International Space Station Attitude Determination and Control Officer and periodically works shifts in mission control, "flying" the ISS from the ground! These days, you can find April leading teams of engineers working to return humans to the surface of the moon.
April hasn't given up on her ultimate dream of becoming an astronaut, but she has added an extra challenge - to be the first person living with T1D in space! She is passionate about sharing her experiences to inspire and mentor fellow T1Ds to push boundaries in pursuit of their dreams. Ad astra per aspera!
Close Bio

Dr. Aaron Breedlove

Main Session 2.0

Psychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Bio

Dr. Aaron Breedlove

Main Session 2.0

Psychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

I am a clinical psychologist at Ohio State-Dublin with a health-oriented focus. I perform assessment, individual and group therapy with multiple populations, including weight management, cardiac rehabilitation, transplant populations, and cancer wellness. I am the Director of the “Type 1 Diabetes Experience”(T1DE) program, which provides individual, group, and family therapy. My specialty is working with people with a history of trauma and are interested in a change of lifestyle. I work from a number of modalities but enjoy Mindfulness-based work, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Personally, I am a five time IRONMAN triathlon finisher, as well as multiple marathon and triathlon finisher at various levels including the Xterra World Championships. I enjoy travel and have lived in Ireland and Germany.
Close Bio

Brian Weikert, MSN, APRN, NP-BC, LSN

Speaker

School nurse at New Albany Plain Local Schools

Bio

Brian Weikert, MSN, APRN, NP-BC, LSN

Speaker

School nurse at New Albany Plain Local Schools

Brian Weikert has been a school nurse at New Albany Plain Local Schools for 24 years and previously worked as a Critical Care Nurse. He holds advanced nursing degrees and certifications, including a Master’s in Clinical Nurse Leadership and a Post-Master’s Certification in Primary Care Adult Gerontology.
Brian is a clinical instructor at Hondros College of Nursing and focuses on wound care. A long-time soccer coach, he lives in Westerville with his wife and four adult children, enjoying gardening, raising chickens, and collecting Star Wars memorabilia.

Megan Harrison

Speaker

School Nurse
Close Bio

Ken Kniss

Speaker

Founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast

Bio

Ken Kniss

Speaker

Founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2007, Ken understands firsthand the emotional and physical challenges of managing this condition. As the founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast, he's on a mission to educate and inspire the Diabetes community. Ken takes a holistic approach to Diabetes management, guiding the community through navigating the day-to-day challenges of living with Diabetes.
Close Bio

Eleni Sheehan, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES

Speaker

T1D Advocate

Bio

Eleni Sheehan, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES

Speaker

T1D Advocate

Eleni is a family nurse practitioner and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Blue Circle Health. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 9, she brings personal insight to her care for people with diabetes, particularly young adults. Previously, she worked at the University of Florida, where she developed a program to help patients transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care and contributed to Project ECHO Diabetes, a telehealth outreach initiative.
Eleni holds degrees in communication (Tulane University, University of South Florida) and nursing (University of Florida). She has been deeply involved in diabetes advocacy, serving on the JDRF North Florida Chapter Board, supporting DiabetesLink, and volunteering with Florida Diabetes Camp.
Close Bio

Carrie Matuzsan

Speaker

Case Manager and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Blue Circle Health

Bio

Carrie Matuzsan

Speaker

Case Manager and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Blue Circle Health

Carrie is a Case Manager and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Blue Circle Health. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, she uses her experiences navigating T1D during college and early adulthood to support teens and young adults in gaining independence. At the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she created a program to help patients transition to adult endocrinology care.

Carrie holds degrees in psychology (Johns Hopkins University, Drexel University) and social work (University of Pennsylvania). She has volunteered extensively for Breakthrough T1D and founded a DiabetesLink chapter at Johns Hopkins. Carrie is dedicated to empowering the diabetes community.
Close Bio

Steven Zortman, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, CDCES

Speaker

T1D Advocate

Bio

Steven Zortman, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, CDCES

Speaker

T1D Advocate

Steven Zortman’s T1D journey began in May 2013, following his three-year old daughter's diagnosis. In April 2024, his twelve-year old son also received a T1D diagnosis and a month later, he was diagnosed with LADA. Steven's advocacy for the diabetes community is marked by compassion and understanding. Steven became a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES) in July 2021 and earned his CDCES credential in March 2024. He works at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Close Bio

Natalie Bellini, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES

Speaker

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and Endocrine Nurse Practitioner at University Hospitals in Cleveland

Bio

Natalie Bellini, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES

Speaker

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and Endocrine Nurse Practitioner at University Hospitals in Cleveland

Natalie Bellini, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and Endocrine Nurse Practitioner at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio where she is the Program Director of Diabetes Technology following approximately sixty-five thousand people with diabetes. Dr. Bellini earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Drexel University and Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice from D’Youville University. Dr. Bellini holds board certifications as a family nurse practitioner and in advanced diabetes management. She has published studies on topics including the use of GLP-1 agonists in patients with Type 1 diabetes as well as the use of technology in diabetes management. She has been a speaker nationally and internationally regarding diabetes management and the impact of technology on diabetes care and outcomes.

Natalie co-hosts podcast Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real Word Perspectives with colleague Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, through HCPLive at https://www.hcplive.com/clinical/endocrinology.
Close Bio

Molly Fulton

Speaker

T1D Advocate

Bio

Molly Fulton

Speaker

T1D Advocate

I'm a proud parent of two amazing kids, Charlie 5 and Margot 8 (a newly diagnosed T1D'er) I live in Worthington, Ohio with my kids and dog, Ginger.  By day, I work at Arlington Health Urgent Care, where I get to help people stay healthy. When I'm not working, you can usually find me reading,  tending to my garden, or planning my next beach vacation. I love spending quality time with my family and friends, whether we're enjoying a day outdoors or just hanging out at home.

Venue

Quest Conference Center

9200 Worthington Rd. Ste 400
Westerville, OH 43082
Directions

Event Contact

Kelsey Boeckermann
513-766-8337 | kboeckermann@breakthrought1d.org

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