David Ahn, MD

MD

Dr. David Ahn is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Endocrinology at UCLA. His passion in Endocrinology and diabetes technology was first kindled after reviewing the first iPhone-compatible glucose meter as an editor for iMedicalApps.com. During his time as editor from 2010-2015, he also covered the emergence of the digital health movement, particularly in relation to smartphone apps and wearable sensors.

In addition to his clinical practice at UCLA, Dr. Ahn is currently Technology Editor of the blog for not-for-profit Taking Control of Your DIabetes (blog.tcoyd.org) and his writing has been featured in publications such as Diabetes Forecast, MedPageToday, Medgadget, and the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.  In his free time, Dr. Ahn has created several iPhone apps including Sugar Streak, a glucose logbook app.”

Mike Avery

Professional Stuntman and Ironman Triathelete

Avery has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 24 years. As a retired professional stuntman with over 100 film and T.V. credits and an Ironman triathlete, he has been spending most of his life pushing the limits of what people think a person with Type 1 diabetes is capable of. He also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with National Ski Patrol for 5 years, where he was first introduced to the PADRE Foundation. Since then he has dedicated his life to sharing his story in hopes others will challenge themselves, engage more in their self care, and advocate for Type 1 diabetes the best way they know how.

Dan Bisno

Dan Bisno is a project coordinator for TrialNet and the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Oberlin College in 2017. During college, Dan volunteered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Thousand Smiles Foundation, solidifying his commitment to improving education and access to healthcare for patients with diabetes and chronic conditions. In 2016, Dan was an intern finalist with the Students with Diabetes organization and spent the summer working with prototype insulin pump models at Tandem Diabetes Care. In his free time, Dan plays basketball and tennis, using an insulin pump and CGM to monitor his blood sugar.

Clement Cheung, MD PhD

Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California

Clement Cheung, MD PhD is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. He is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF. He did his medical school and graduate school at the University of Washington Medical Scientist Training Program. His Ph.D was in Physiology and Biophysics. He did his residency in Pediatrics and fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at UCSF. He had a K08 Award from NIDDK and Clinical Scholar Award from the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and studied the role of the Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus in the regulation of energy homeostasis at UCSF. His areas of expertise include endocrine disorders in pediatric neuro-oncology patients, neuroendocrinology, and hypothalamic obesity. He has recently accepted the position as the Associate Director of the Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program at CHLA.

Matthew Freeby, MD

Adult Endocrinologist

Matthew Freeby, MD is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of the Gonda Diabetes Center and the Associate Director of Diabetes Clinical Programs at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine.

Jaime A. Giraldo, Ph.D.

Scientist, Discovery Research, JDRF

Jaime Giraldo, Ph.D. is a scientist in the Discovery Research program at JDRF. He applies his background in biomedical engineering, encapsulation, immunology, stem cell biology and islet transplantation to support JDRF’s work in beta cell replacement, working with investigators to ensure projects are progressing so that these technologies and therapies move closer to the clinic. In addition, Dr. Giraldo supports JDRF’s efforts in the artificial pancreas program in the same capacity.

Prior to joining JDRF in 2016, Dr. Giraldo worked at the Diabetes Research Institute, completing his graduate studies researching nanoscale encapsulation of pancreatic islets for enhanced graft survival and bioactive modification of cell surfaces for modulation of immune cell function in cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. Prior to his graduate work he conducted stem cell research, exploring methods of enhancing the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells using genetically engineered proteins.

Dr. Giraldo obtained his B.S.E. and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at Tulane University and the University of Miami, respectively.

Mark Harmel, MPH, CDE

Clinical Research Coordinator, USC Westside Center for Diabetes

Mark Harmel, MPH, CDE is the clinical research coordinator and diabetes educator at the USC Westside Center for Diabetes. As part of the T1D Exchange network, he manages the Clinical Registry and has been the coordinator for the Replace BG trial that proved that a Dexcom is safe and effective for making insulin dosing decisions, and is currently using the Dexcom G6 to update the data on people without diabetes. The next study is looking at T1D in people 60 and over. He also managed and inhaled insulin trial and the center is part of the TrialNet network.

Also, is a contributor to Medscape, Mark is the videographer for the Peters on Diabetes series and is a member of the major diabetes meeting reporting teams. He is an active advocate who has visited representatives in the US Capitol and his congressional district promoting insurance coverage, diabetes research funding and raising insulin prices.

Arianna Helfant

Arianna Helfant is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and currently works at the West Valley Counseling Center in Tarzana. Arianna has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 22 years and her clinical focus is diabetes. She treats children, teens, adults, and families dealing with a diagnosis of diabetes and diabetes related issues. Arianna currently co-facilitates a Teen Power group at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Since her diagnosis, Arianna has been involved with JDRF, ADA, and Camp Conrad-Chinnock.

Christine Hertler RN/BSN/CDE/CPT

is a registered nurse with 40 years of direct patient care. The last 15 years have been as a specialist in diabetes management as a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Her initial diabetes position focused on the adult population, and has worked in various clinical settings during my career, both hospital based, bedside, emergency care, and outpatient settings, as well as school nursing.

Diabetes education is her passion, and for past 5 years she has specialized in the management of pediatric diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2 , supporting the needs of parents and children, aiming to help families reduce the burden of daily care, and help them to meet success with good diabetes control, incorporating latest technology advances as appropriate.

In her current position, she provides 1:1 support as both case manager of children with diabetes, for families, children, school nurses and all caretakers , as well as direct teaching of insulin pump and CGM therapies.

Ammie Kahl

was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was eight years old. After her diagnosis she attended and worked at Camp Conrad Chinnock. She later volunteered with the American Diabetes Association and PADRE Foundation. She currently works as an Emergency Room Nurse and looks forward to advancing her nursing practice.

Kevin Kaiserman, MD

Pediatric Endocrinologist, Los Angeles

Dr. Kaiserman currently works with children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in private practice at SoCal Diabetes in the LA area. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Kaiserman was Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the Clinical Diabetes Program at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Kaiserman earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and completed his internship and residency in the Department of Pediatrics and his fellowship in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Kaiserman is a member of the American Diabetes Association and the Pediatric Endocrine Society and was on the LA Board of the American Diabetes Association and JDRF, as well as the Board of the Diabetes Education and Camping Association. Dr. Kaiserman is active at his local diabetes camp, Camp Conrad-Chinnock, where he serves as the camp medical director and member of the Board. Kevin was honored at JDRF LA as Diabetes Champion, 2012 and has helped raised funds for the APP.

Valerie Macy-Hurley

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Valerie Macy-Hurley is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).  She has worked for Miller Children's and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach as a  Medical Social Worker in the Outpatient Endocrine Center for over 10 years, prior to which she spent 6 years working as an outpatient pediatric mental health clinician for non-profit and county agencies.  Valerie is passionate about helping children and their families identify and overcome psycho-social barriers to caring for their health so they can thrive.

Laura Mecoy

Advocacy Team Chair for the LA Community Board and mom to 2 young adults with T1D

Laura Mecoy is the Advocacy Team Chair for the LA Community Board.  She is an award-winning former journalist who is the managing partner and founder of Mecoy Communications, an LA-based strategic communications firm. Laura is the mother of two young adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and her family has been active in JDRF since 2000, raising and donating nearly $300,000. Laura served as a walk team captain for 15 years, mentor for the newly diagnosed, founder of the South Bay parent group, member of the board, chair of the LA and the Long Beach Walk Committees and the Board’s Public Relations/Publicity Committee. As the chair and as a member of the Advocacy Committee, she has participated in advocacy meetings with members of Congress and traveled to D.C. to lobby Congress on behalf of JDRF.

With her daughter, Grace Walker, she participated in the 2015 JDRF Children’s Congress. Her son, Ryan Walker, also was a South Bay Walk Ambassador when JDRF still had a South Bay Walk. He was featured in a movie trailer JDRF created with Sugar Ray Leonard and has served as a JDRF spokesperson. She and her husband, Cary Walker, are members of the JDRF LA Ride team and have participated in five JDRF Rides to Cure Diabetes. They will be joining the JDRF Ride in Death Valley this fall, along with their son, Ryan. They live in Manhattan Beach.

Christel Oerum

is a Los Angeles based blogger, certified personal trainer, and diabetes advocate. She has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1997 and at an early stage decided that it wasn’t going to slow her down. Her motto is “There is Nothing You Can’t do With Diabetes”. She writes about how to be Fit With Diabetes on DiabetesStrong.com. She also coaches people with diabetes from across the globe, online and in person, and supports them in meeting their health and fitness goals.

Christel holds a MBA in Finance & Strategy and an ISSA Personal Trainer certification with specialization in Fitness and Diabetes (Level 3 certified from the Diabetes Motion Academy).

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiabetesStrong

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DiabetesStrong_IG /

Lauren Partain, LCSW, MPH

Transition Navigator, MemorialCare Miller Children & Women's Hospital

( Reny )received a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's in art history from Scripps College.  While working summers at DYF's Bearskin Meadow Camp for kids and teens with type 1 diabetes, Reny fell in love with working with youth and was encouraged by her mentors to pursue social work.  Reny completed her Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Southern California, which allowed her to blend her passion for mental health with health education and promotion.

Reny has worked as the Transition Navigator for Miller Children's Transition of Care Program for the last 4 years.  The Transition of Care team is dedicated to creating innovative, population health programs focused on advancing the lives of adolescents and young adults living with a chronic illness. As the Transition Navigator, Reny works closely with patients, families, and medical staff to improve the health outcomes for patients who graduate from pediatric to adult-centered care.

Reny has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 27 years and is actively involved in JDRF's Young Leadership Committee.  For the past 4 years, Reny has served as the Vice President of the YLC and helped organize young adult meet-ups and YLC's annual fundraiser, Kiss to Cure.  This year, Reny will take on the role of President and hopes to help expand social programing and resources available to young adults in Southern California.

Laura Pavlakovich

is 26 years old and has had type one diabetes for nearly all her life. She has never let it stop her from doing anything, even attending a photojournalism school that led her to live in eight different countries! She came home from her experience feeling stuck, and not knowing what she wanted to do with her photography. And then it hit her - she decided she would begin photographing every person with type one diabetes who was willing to share their story. This project turned into its very own nonprofit called You're Just My Type! It reaches out to inspiring and extraordinary Type 1 diabetics, chronicling their struggles, challenges, and victories of everyday life. You're Just My Type was born out of a desire to give a voice and a face to an invisible disease. Combining photography with personal interviews, we seek to ensure that nobody living on this planet with type 1 diabetes feels alone."

Beth Pyatak, Ph.D, OTR/L,CDE

Beth Pyatak Assistant Professor, USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Beth is a licensed occupational therapist, certified diabetes educator, and parent of a child with type 1 diabetes. She completed her MA in occupational therapy and PhD in occupational science (the study of the relationship between everyday activities, or “occupations,” to health and well-being) at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Pyatak’s research and clinical interests are in developing lifestyle interventions to promote self-management and psychosocial well-being for people with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Occupational therapy focuses specifically on helping people develop health-promoting habits and routines, which help make self-management activities more consistent and less burdensome in daily life.  This intervention approach has been found to help young adults with diabetes improve both their quality of life and their blood glucose control. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Helmsley Foundation, and the USC Clinical and Translational Science Institute to develop and evaluate interventions for adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as older adults with type 2 diabetes

Judy Ranan

Executive Director, JDRF LA

Judy Ranan joined JDRF after five years with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation where she led the effort raising millions of dollars through individual giving, major gifts and numerous events, including a Block Party on Wisteria Lane on the Universal backlot with the talent of the ABC show, Desperate Housewives. Prior to her position as ED at CFF, Judy was the senior marketing director for the Toronto Film Office in Los Angeles. The bulk of her career was involved in developing and producing television movies and miniseries for network and cable.

Derek Rapp

President and Chief Executive Officer, JDRF International

Derek Rapp is President and Chief Executive Officer of JDRF. Prior to his appointment in 2014, Derek served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for JDRF International and was formally JDRF Research Chair. He has been involved in the research funding and oversight activities of JDRF since 2005.
From early 2001 until February 2011, Derek was Chief Executive Officer of Divergence, Inc., a science-based company finding solutions in the prevention and control of pest infections. He led the successful sale of the company in February 2011. As CEO of Divergence, Derek’s main responsibilities included developing and implementing the company’s strategy, ensuring suitable financing of the company, implementing relationships with licensees and collaborators, and overseeing operations.
Derek has also been an active volunteer with numerous leadership roles in different organizations, including JDRF International.
Derek holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University with concentrations in Economics and German and a Master in Business Administration from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Derek is married to Emily Rapp, and they have three children (Helen – 23, Turner – 21, who was diagnosed with T1D in 2004, and William – 18).

Jennifer Raymond, MD

Dr. Raymond is an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Endocrinology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  She is the Clinical Diabetes Director in the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and the Vice Chair of the Executive Telehealth Committee.  Dr. Raymond received her medical degree and completed her residency in Pediatrics at the University of Kansas.   She completed her fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology and Master of Clinical Research at Oregon Health and Science University.

Bart Roep, Ph.D.,

Director of Diabetes Immunology, City of Hope

Dr. Bart O. Roep is Chair and Professor of Department of Diabetes Immunology, and holds the Chan Soon-Shiong Shapiro Distinguished Chair in Diabetes at the Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Los Angeles. He is also Professor of Medicine, Professor of Diabetology, Immunopathology & Intervention and Director of the National Diabetes Center of Excellence at the Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands and Visiting Professor of the Danish Diabetes Academy. After studying medical sciences and medicine at the University of Amsterdam, he obtained his PhD in medicine at the Leiden University Medical Center. He discovered the role of T cells in diabetes and focused on defining human cellular immune responses, autoantigen identification, and islet transplantation and the design, execution and immunological monitoring of immune intervention strategies in clinical type 1 diabetes and beta-cell replacement therapies, including pioneering trials on tissue-specific tolerance induction, gene and stem cell therapy. He is founder and director of the national platform for clinical immune intervention therapy in The Netherlands and published more than 350 original articles on his discoveries. He received many prestigious awards, including the Minkowski Prize, the VICI award and a Fellowship of the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Annie Shultz

Project Manager, Outreach & Recruitment TrialNet Hub, The Benaroya Research Institute

Annie was born and raised in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in White Salmon, WA.  She graduated from Oregon State University in 2004 with a Degree in Exercise Science--Sports Medicine, but chose a sports business route.  That took her to Tacoma, WA where she was the Senior Director of Marketing for the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.  While working for the Rainiers, Annie connected with the local JDRF Branch and volunteered on the South Sound Board of Directors.  While volunteering she was hired by JDRF as a Regional Marketing Manger.  She remained with JDRF for three years before taking a new and exciting role in the T1D research world with Diabetes TrialNet.  TrialNet is  a worldwide network of researchers and institutions focused on preventing type 1 diabetes.  Annie is the Project Manager for Outreach & Recruitment for the Diabetes TrialNet network.

Annie came to the T1D research worlds as a person who is directly impacted by T1D.  Her father was diagnosed in 1964 at age 19, Annie herself was diagnosed at age 21.   She and her family members have participated in numerous clinical research trials of type 1 diabetes.  Specifically, Annie has participated in trials for the artificial pancreas at the Benaroya Research Institute.  She is also a member of the JDRF Speakers Bureau, a past Board Member for ConnecT1D an organization that puts on a type 1 diabetes family camp and a volunteer for JDRF Seattle.  She was recently awarded the Auto-immune Alliance-A3 Focus Award for her spirit, dedication and community involvement while living with an autoimmune disease.  She admits that while her story can be difficult to share, it demonstrates very clearly the tremendous advancements that are a direct result of JDRF funded research.

Eric Tozer

Eric Tozer is a diabetes ambassador who inspires the community through sports and utilizes his athletic accomplishments as a platform to be a role model in the diabetes community.

ERIC MADE HISTORY, BECOMING THE FIRST PERSON WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D) TO COMPLETE THE WORLD MARATHON CHALLENGE, RUNNING 7 MARATHONS ON 7 CONTINENTS IN 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

Eric was diagnosed with T1D in 2006, while traveling in Europe. He had the classic symptoms of diabetes including constant thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, blurred vision, lethargy and weight loss. Eric had always lived a very active and healthy lifestyle, so the sudden 20-pound weight loss made him aware that something was seriously wrong. Upon returning home, a visit to his doctor revealed the devastating and life changing news of his diagnosis. Eric’s life was quickly turned upside down: checking his blood sugar levels up to 10 times a day, calculating carbohydrate intake and taking varying units of insulin shots with every meal.

But Eric wasn’t going to let diabetes control his life and decided to take charge. Soon after his diagnosis, he completed his first half Ironman and hasn’t stopped since. He co-founded non-profit organization, Diabetes Sports Project, comprised of hundreds of T1D athletes around the globe, demonstrating how through proper diet, exercise, a positive outlook and effective blood glucose management, dreams can be achieved.

Eric’s Athletic Accomplishments:

• World Marathon Challenge 2019 (7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days)
• Run Across America (3,000+ mile run across USA in 15 days with ten T1Ds)
• 140.6 mile Ironman distance triathlons
• 70.3 mile Half-Ironman distance triathlons
• Olympic and Sprint distance triathlons
• 26.2 mile Marathons
• 13.1 mile Half-Marathons
• NCAA Men's Soccer Final Four All-Tournament Team (2004)

Jake Windell

is a Professional Firefighter Paramedic with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 24 years.  In 2013, he became the first person living with Diabetes to be hired as a firefighter in the Greater Los Angeles area. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Swiftwater Rescue Team, Urban Search and Rescue Team, as well as a Reserve Firefighter for the Israeli Fire Department. Jake volunteers on the Medical Staff at Camp Conrad Chinnock and participated in many events with the PADRE Foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and rock climbing.

Dr. Patrice M. Yasuda

Dr. Patrice M. Yasuda is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA, specializing in health psychology. She completed her internship at Harvard Medical School and her postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and Resnick Neuropsychiatric
Institute. She has a long standing history working in diabetes, previously working at the UCLA Diabetes Clinic where she was on the UCLA School of Medicine faculty. Now at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Yasuda is the Director of Behavioral Health at the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism conducting clinical service, hospital-wide and community trainings, research, and advocacy on diabetes related issues. She co-facilitates the JDRF-CHLA monthly support group for children and teens with type 1 diabetes and their families. She also has a private practice in Westwood.