Gary Scheiner MS, CDCES

Breakout Session Speaker

Gary Scheiner is owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services, a practice located just outside of Philadelphia specializing in intensive insulin therapy and advanced education for children and adults.

Gary has been a Certified Diabetes Educator for since 1995 and has had Type-1 diabetes since 1985. Gary was named 2014 Diabetes Educator of the Year by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. He has written seven books, including the best-selling “Think Like A Pancreas-A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes With Insulin”. He lectures nationally and internationally for people with diabetes as well as professionals in the healthcare industry. In addition to serving on the faculty of Children With Diabetes and the Board of Directors for JDRF, Gary volunteers for the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Sisters, and Setebaid Diabetes Camps.

Lauren Bongiorno

Keynote Speaker

• Lauren Bongiorno, founder and CEO of Risely Health, is challenging the current healthcare system and the world of diabetes management through her company's innovative health coaching programs and online educational classes. Lauren has navigated Type 1 Diabetes first hand since she was 7 years old and believes that when health transforms, so does everything else - our relationships, our time, our career, our families, and, most importantly, ourselves. Georgetown medical students are currently researching Risely's methods to publish the quantitative and qualitative results clients see in their programs. Lauren has been featured on the TODAY Show, has partnered with some of the largest diabetes technology companies, and is "making waves in the diabetes space on both a personal and systemic level."

Alecia Wesner

Breakout Session Speaker

I have been part of the JDRF family since my diagnosis with type one diabetes (T1D) in 1979. During my time as a volunteer with JDRF, I have participated in innumerable fundraising events including One Walk and Ride, currently serve as a Board Member with the Greater New York City Chapter and have been a member of JDRF’s Speakers Bureau. As part of the work I do with Speakers Bureau, I have spoken about my experience living with T1D for over 40 years, the importance for advancing and funding diabetes technologies and research, and diabetes advocacy. Currently, I am serving as the Chapter’s Clinical Trials Education Volunteer.

Along my T1D journey, I am most proud of helping advance T1D science and technology through my participation in 7 clinical trials; four of the trials specific to Artificial Pancreas systems held at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. Participating in early closed loop system clinical trials not only gave me an appreciation of what was to come in my own diabetes care, but also gave me access to some of the leading researchers in the field. When I say access, I mean that I saw technology work, or in some cases not work, for me, and spent time with doctors and researchers who would explain those discoveries. During these trials, I felt like I was getting a superior level of care and it truly increased my understanding of how my body works. These experiences were so empowering and far surpassed my original expectations.