Carla Falasco

Director of Grassroots Advocacy, JDRF

Carla Falasco is the Director, Grassroots Advocacy at JDRF. She recently celebrated seven years as a member of the Advocacy staff but began her journey with JDRF as a volunteer in 2009 in the Greater Missouri and Southern Illinois Chapter. Carla has spent more than a decade in the non-profit sector, focusing on health and human services organizations that each had a strong advocacy component to their missions. She has varied experiences in communications, development, event production, grassroots organizing, media relations, outreach, and volunteer management. She takes great pride in collaborating with her JDRF colleagues—staff and volunteers alike—on grassroots campaigns, infrastructure development, and fresh ways to engage our advocates in service of our mission.

Jaime Giraldo, Ph.D.

Associate Director of Research, JDRF

Jaime A. Giraldo, Ph.D., is an Associate Director in the Research Department at JDRF. He applies his background in biomedical engineering, cell encapsulation, immunology, stem cell biology and islet transplantation to support JDRF’s work in the Cures Program as lead of the Cell Therapy project and assists the Improving Lives Program in the area of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. As part of his position, Dr. Giraldo works with scientists and clinicians to accelerate the progression of novel technologies and therapies into the clinic.

Prior to joining JDRF in 2016, Dr. Giraldo worked at the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami, completing his graduate studies investigating 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.

Christina Martin

Professional Dancer, Motivational Speaker, American Ninja Warrior, Executive Director of the Type Zero Foundation, and Fitness Trainer, Living with T1D since age 13

Christina lives to dance and jump off obstacles all in the name of diabetes support! She is a professional dancer, fitness trainer for kids and adults, and founder of a non-profit organization for diabetes that she started as a teenager, Type Zero Foundation. Christina dances with nationally-winning hip hop crew, TheSQUAD, and has competed against the rest of the world while living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She was invited on Season 11 of NBC’s TV show, “American Ninja Warrior,” where she competed as the first female with T1D on the show! While also studying sport and exercise science as a full-time student at the University of Central Florida, her goal is to help individuals and families feel stronger with diabetes. Through Christina’s unbreakable determination to live a healthy lifestyle with T1D, she has become an advocate for the T1D community and is committed to T1D education.

Mary Bennett, LICSW

Clinical Social Worker, MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Mary is a 2014 graduate of Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. Her experience includes working with children and their families in mental health, school, and medical settings. She is currently on several pediatric teams at MassGeneral Hospital for Children with most of her time devoted to pediatric endocrinology.

Kevin DiNapoli

Chief of Police, Wenham Police Department, Living with T1D since age 30, Father of a Child with T1D

Kevin graduated from Saint Anselm College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1995. That same year, he attended the part-time police academy prior to starting his career as an auxiliary police officer in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Kevin has worked with the Raymond and Hudson New Hampshire Police Departments and as a negotiator on the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit for 11 years, and became certified as a forensic polygraph examiner in 2007. In August 2017 he was hired as the Executive Officer/Deputy Chief for the Wenham, Massachusetts Police Department. As the second in command, Kevin worked as the court prosecutor, accreditation manager, internal affairs investigator, and detective administrator. In May 2021, Kevin then took over as the Chief of Police in Wenham. He continues to work as an assessor for Massachusetts Accreditation and on the Massachusetts Accreditation Standards Review Committee, and also works for Municipal Resources Incorporated where he consults for police agencies throughout New England, conducts background investigations, and participates in police promotional assessment centers. Throughout his career, Kevin has taught and continues to teach classes regarding polygraph examinations, interviews and interrogations, crime scene processing, and accreditation. Kevin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 30—he had been working as a full-time police officer for seven years when the onset of his symptoms began. The chronic fatigue and thirst prompted him to pursue medical tests which confirmed his diagnosis. In March 2013, Kevin’s then 13-year-old daughter was also diagnosed with T1D. To say this rocked his family is an understatement, as Kevin balanced managing his own health while also worrying about his daughter’s as well. Off-duty, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife Karen and four children Gabby (21), Kevin, Jr. (19), Ben (17), and Luke (10).

Eileen Galvin, RN, BSN, CDCES

Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Eileen has been a part of the pediatric diabetes and endocrinology team for more than 22 years. She has a focus of diabetes education self-management with patients and families, starting during admission for the initial diagnosis and continues care and education for years to follow. Additionally, she has a strong

Katharine Garvey, M.D., MPH

Director, Diabetes Program; Clinical Chief for Diabetes, Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital

Session: Ask the Diabetes Specialists

Dr. Garvey serves as Director of the Diabetes Program and Clinical Chief for Diabetes at Boston Children's Hospital and is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Garvey completed fellowships in pediatric endocrinology and pediatric health services research at Boston Children’s Hospital. She received an MPH from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Garvey has conducted health services research focused on easing the transition from pediatric to adult care for youth with T1D. Clinically, Dr. Garvey practices pediatric endocrinology with a special focus on children, adolescents and young adults with T1D. In her role as Director of the Diabetes Program, she leads innovations in pediatric type 1 diabetes care delivery in collaboration with team members across disciplines.

Christopher Gazarian, RN, BSN, CDCES

Diabetes Nurse Educator, Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital

Chris graduated from Skidmore College where he earned his BA in Medical Anthropology and Art, focusing projects on diabetes stigma. He then entered nursing school through Northeastern University’s accelerated BSN program, graduating in 2017.  He has been a registered nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital for four years and has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Since transferring to the diabetes program in early 2020, Chris has been working as both a Diabetes Nurse Educator and as patient navigator to promote meaningful technology support for patients adapting to virtual visits.

Emilee Herringshaw

Medical Student, Blogger at Two Cookies at Midnight, Living with T1D since 1996

Emilee is a medical student at the University of Massachusetts, where she is pursuing her MD/MBA. She has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 25 years and was diagnosed on October 14, 1996. Her passion for healthcare and the patient experience encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine. She has writes about her own experiences on her blog (twocookiesatmidnight.wordpress.com) and through her Instagram account (@two_cookies_at_midnight). She believes exercise is a vital tool in her diabetes care and has enjoyed participating in the 200-mile relay race “Reach the Beach” with the JDRF YLC team. Eventually, Emilee aspires to complete a marathon. She is also very passionate about advocating for diabetes, particularly through the avenues of education and awareness. At the University of Massachusetts Medical School, she co-founded an elective, Management of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, to generate discussion on topics such as diagnosis, management, quality metrics, nutrition, exercise, bariatrics, and management during pregnancy. Engaging with the diabetes community through advocacy, social media platforms and academic programming has strengthened Emilee’s desire to include more people in the important conversations about what it means to live with diabetes.

Lynne Mills-Fawzy

Program Coordinator for the Endocrinology Fellowship Training Program, Boston Children’s Hospital

Lynne started her career in medical education in the Department of Pediatrics as part of the Boston Combined Residency Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She has been the Teen Advisory Coordinator for the past four years and has worked at Boston Children’s Hospital for more than 10 years.

Charlie O'Connell

Founder and CEO of GLUCOSEZONE, Living with T1D since 1996

Charlie O’Connell is the founder and CEO of GLUCOSEZONE: a Digital Health company providing online fitness and coaching to people living with diabetes and chronic conditions around the globe. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the fall of 1996, Charlie was a two sport Division I college athlete and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (’02). Charlie is a father, husband, golfer, skier, hiker, CrossFitter, speaker, inventor and entrepreneur, and lives in New Haven, CT with his wife and three small children.

Ellen O’Donnell, Ph.D.

Psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Instructor at Harvard Medical School, Living with T1D since age 21

Ellen H. O’Donnell, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. She is Director of Psychological Services for the MGH Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Center and for Shriners Children’s Hospital, Boston. She co-directs the MassGeneral for Children Pediatric Behavioral Medicine Program and the MGH Internship in Child Psychology. She is an Assistant Professor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. O’Donnell’s interests include developing and evaluating interventions for children and adolescents affected by medical illness to improve quality of life and health outcomes. She is also interested in ways that positive parenting practices protect children against problems in adjustment. Dr. O’Donnell works with patients with a variety of pediatric illnesses but is especially interested in the challenges of having T1D since she is living with the disease herself.

Sarah Polk

Organizer of the Color Me Cured Walk in Support of JDRF, Living with T1D since age 8

Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) 29 years ago, when she was just 8. When she was diagnosed there was no history of the disease on either side of her family. She currently lives in South Thomaston, Maine with her husband, two daughters, and their dog. Sarah started the Color Me Cured walk nine years ago as a way to help educate her local community about diabetes. She felt as though she needed to do something to help educate our youth and this was the way she could be successful at doing that. To date, the walk has raised more than $74,000 for JDRF’s mission! Being part of the diabetes community has helped Sarah not only cope with having to manage this disease, but also helped her stay healthy mentally as well.

Danielle Sandage, LICSW

Outpatient Clinical Social Worker, Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital

Danielle is a Clinical Social Worker in the Division of Endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital where she provides psychosocial care and treatment for patients and their families living with type 1 diabetes and other endocrine conditions. She is actively involved in research related to disease distress and its impact on daily functioning. Danielle also has an outpatient practice as a psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, and families in Lexington, MA.

Ryan Stuebe

President, JDRF Young Leadership Committee, Living with T1D since 1997

Ryan was diagnosed with T1D in August 1997, weeks before his fourth birthday. Ryan has participated in the Walk and numerous other JDRF events since his diagnosis and is a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, a national philanthropic partner of JDRF. In 2018, he joined JDRF Greater New England’s Young Leadership Committee (YLC), a group of passionate young professionals who believe in JDRF’s efforts to cure T1D while finding ways to improve the lives of people living with T1D today. The YLC is dedicated to supporting and raising awareness for JDRF through various fundraising, networking, and social events. Ryan currently serves as the President of the YLC and is a member of JDRF’s community engagement committee. Ryan holds a B.S. in Finance from Quinnipiac University and currently works in financial services in Boston.

Boston Children’s Hospital Diabetes Program Teen Advisory Committee

The Diabetes Program Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) consists of teens and young adults, ages 14-18 years, who have T1D. They meet once per month to guide and improve care for teens in the Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Diabetes Program. The Diabetes Program TAC allows teens to connect with others their age with T1D while giving their input to the Endocrinology Team at BCH about areas of interest to teenage and young adult patients. The teens brainstorm ideas to make the program better for their age group and develop new programs to help teens and young adults take care of their diabetes independently.