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.

Mila Clarke Buckley

Founder: The Hangry Woman

Mila Clarke Buckley is a type 2 diabetes patient advocate and the founder of The Hangry Woman blog, that shares approachable food and lifestyle tips to help others living with type 2 diabetes. 

HangryWoman.com covers topics like diabetes management, shame and stigma, cooking, and self-care from the perspective of someone living with the chronic condition. 

Mila is the author of Diabetes Food Journal: A Daily Log For Tracking Blood Sugar, Nutrition and Activity. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, Healthline, WebMD, GE, Health and Diabetic Living Magazine.

Keary Cheney

Grace & Salt

Type1Brave

Keary is a wife, adoptive mom, photographer, writer, Type 1 Diabetic, and follower of Jesus. She loves the mountains, iced coffee, and post dinner dance parties with her kids. She and her husband, Justin, started Grace & Salt, a furniture and home-goods company aimed at cultivating a space for community in homes and around tables. They recently got home after spending 15 months in Uganda adopting two beautiful children, their oldest was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2015, the same year as Keary.

Keary desires to be honest and vulnerable about all that comes with adoption, T1D, and everyday life and longs to love bravely daily. Follow them on Instagram: @graceandsalt (the whole adoption story of Zola and Ollie is on here, her diagnosis, etc) and @type1brave (their day-to-day life with diabetes).

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.

Brigid Gregg, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Michigan Medicine

Dr. Gregg completed her pediatric endocrinology training at the University of Chicago. She then moved to the University of Michigan to pursue basic science and translational research at the Brehm Center for Diabetes Research.

Dr. Gregg’s lab focuses on characterizing early life events that predispose individuals to developing metabolic disease, with the ultimate aim of identifying interventions to improve metabolic risk in these individuals. Some of the current research in the lab explores early life and developmental influences on pancreatic β-cell mass and function and factors that contribute to metabolic risk. Our findings indicate that nutritional influences very early in life can have a lifelong impact on body composition, glucose homeostasis and the likelihood of developing metabolic disease features.

Dr. Gregg has both a research and personal interest in nutrition. She attended the California Culinary Academy before medical school and has always been passionate about cooking. Dr. Gregg and another Michigan Medicine endocrinologist, Roma Gianchandani, just started a culinary medicine program for the University of Michigan medical students. The goal of this program is to teach the students how to talk to patients about the importance of nutrition for health outcomes.

Jeff Hoomaian

Patient Advocate, Healthy Living Medical Supply

After holding too many jobs to mention, Jeff found his calling nearly 20 years ago when he fell into the world of diabetes. Always having a love to help others, he felt compelled to jump in feet first when he learned that people living with Type One could do great things with the right tools and a little knowledge. His work in the diabetes supply industry ensures that people with T1D get the technology and supplies they need to do just that.

Jeff has also been an avid supporter of the JDRF, helping to organize, create, and promote events like the Teen Carnival, the TypeOneNation Summit, and he is a regular speaker and adviser for the 13+ local JDRF Networking Support Groups. He also proudly serves on the JDRF's Research Information Volunteer team.

Rob Howe

Diabetics Doing Things, PWD

Rob Howe has been living with Type-1 Diabetes for 14 years. He is an Entrepreneur, Marketing Strategist, Podcaster and former professional basketball player. In 2015, Rob founded Diabetics Doing Things, in an effort to raise awareness around the amazing things that Type-1 Diabetics are doing around the world.

As of 2019, Rob’s podcast has been downloaded over 1 million times, from listeners in over 50 countries. He hopes for a day where children, teens and adults who are diagnosed with T1D need only go online and search for people with Type-1 Diabetes who do the thing they love, and feel confident that the dreams for their life are still valid. Rob lives in Dallas Texas with his fiancé Erica and their cat and dogs, Michael J. Fox, Rowan & Enzo.

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.

Mallory J. Jacobs, MS, RDN, CDCES, NBC-HWC

Clinical Dietitian; Aleda E. Lutz VAMC, Saginaw, MI

T1D Mom

Mallory is a Registered Dietitian at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, MI. She works mostly with weight management patients to help reduce and prevent weight related illnesses. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western Michigan University and completed her Dietetic Internship and Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. Before working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mallory worked at Covenant Medical Center where some of her time was spent educating families of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.

A few years after her work with the type 1 population, Mallory's son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 23 months. Today, Mallory finds that she uses her credential as a certified diabetes educator just as much in her personal life as she does on the job. She enjoys sharing her unique skill set as both a registered dietitian and type 1 mom to help other families in the T1D community.

Kyle Krause

Dad, husband, athlete and T1D Champion

Kyle has had T1D for 21 years, diagnosed at age 12.  He played NCAA Division II basketball while pursuing a mechanical engineering degree, and has continued his love of athletics and exercise as a hobby when he is not at work.  He has participated in multiple half marathons, full marathons, and frequently goes on multi-day backpacking trips and other outdoor adventures.  He has recently taken up competing in triathlons, completing two Olympic triathlons in 2019, and is currently training for a Half Ironman in 2020.

He has been happily married to his wife, Erin, for 10 years, and has two children, Colton (5) and Owen (4).  Colton was diagnosed with T1D in March 2019.  Kyle is determined to live out an example for Colton and others to see that diabetes should not prevent anyone from realizing their dreams or aspirations in life.

Jolie Ledford

Actress, athlete, student, T1D Champion

Type 1 Diabetes may have thrown 15-year-old Jolie Ledford a curve ball in life, but it certainly hasn’t kept her down.  Jolie was a typical busy teenager juggling a rather unusual life when, at the age of 13, she was unexpectedly diagnosed.  While she did engage in typical activities such as playing soccer, swimming, and hanging out with friends, Jolie was also pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, competing with and training alongside the elite, when she began experiencing all the tell-tale symptoms.  Shortly after a candy filled Halloween, everything changed literally overnight.

It was an utterly devastating and life altering diagnosis. After weeks of deep depression, anger, and tears, she pulled herself up by the proverbial bootstraps and began to force herself, with the help from family and friends, to reengage in life and basically… relearn how to live. Today, she is thriving as she continues to compete in the cut throat Hollywood industry, has walked the red carpet in New York City, has presented awards at and co-hosted for Hollywood award shows, plays soccer, snowboards, swims, tubes behind a boat, ziplines, goes away to non-diabetic camps, spends nights at friends houses, and generally lives a non-stop, crazy, teenage life. Jolie may have Type 1 Diabetes, but Type 1 does not have her.

Claire Maiocco

Collegiate Swimmer; University of Michigan

Type 1 since age 4

Claire Maiocco is a collegiate swimmer for the University of Michigan who specializes in sprint butterfly and freestyle events. Diagnosed with T1D at age 4, she has been living with the disease for 16 years. Growing up, Claire was very active and eager to try new sports as athletics have always been important to Claire and her family. She participated in gymnastics, tennis, and soccer before discovering competitive swimming via a neighborhood summer swim program at the age of 8. After the summer program ended, she was hooked and asked her family if she could continue swimming year-round. She has been swimming competitively ever since.

In high school, Claire was able to balance her diabetes, school work, and her passion for swimming. She not only earned multiple academic honors, but also held multiple state records and titles in the pool. She was recruited to swim for the University of Michigan where she is now in her sophomore year. At Michigan, Claire has been a member of two Big Ten Championship teams, a scholar All-American Honorable Mention, and is a U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award winner. She plans on majoring in Cellular Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering in the hopes of one day contributing to the T1D research effort for a cure.    Through her years of competitive swimming, Claire has gained practical, in-depth knowledge in the practice of managing diabetes while competing at high levels of athletics.

Sahil Mehta

DJSuga313

Entrepreneur, Engineer, Dancer, and DJ

Sahil Mehta is a 27-year-old entrepreneur, engineer, dancer, and DJ. He has lived with type 1 diabetes for the last 22 years of his life, being diagnosed in January of 1998. Although there have been setbacks with his health when learning things on his own, he has been able to participate in sports his whole life, start his own dance company – and is always looking for more ways to be involved with the Michigan & South-Asian networks.

Sahil graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Applied Sciences Engineering, currently works in the cyber security industry, and serves as the National Director of Philanthropy with Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Sahil’s next goal is directed to helping the T1D community to have his fraternity raise $100,000 in donations to JDRF after raising over $50,000 every year since 2016 while working with local connections to fight for cheaper insulin.

Kara Mizokami-Stout, MD

Clinical Lecturer

Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes University of Michigan

Dr. Mizokami-Stout is a board-certified adult endocrinologist originally from southern Colorado. She received her BS in biology and biochemistry at Regis University in Denver, Colorado where she met her husband Adam, who has had type 1 diabetes since the age of 8. She received her MD and completed her internal medicine residency training at the University of Colorado and her adult endocrinology fellowship at the University of Michigan. She is currently a faculty member as well as a VA Scholar in the National Clinician Scholars Program at the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Mizokami-Stout’s research interests include understanding the psychosocial factors that influence diabetes self-management, particularly in the context of diabetes complications and diabetes technology. She has done several studies with the T1D Exchange evaluating contemporary prevalence rates and risk factors for diabetes complications and is a co-investigator on multiple diabetes clinical trials.

Julia Mulvaine

Type 1 Mom

Julia works for Utica Community Schools as a Medical Paraprofessional. She takes care of the diabetic needs of 2 children in her school.

Her daughter, Rachael was diagnosed in June of 2014. She began volunteering for JDRF not too long after. She is an Outreach Volunteer, the Youth Coordinator for the JDRF Summit, she walks with her team, Rachael’s Funky Monkeys during the One Walk, and volunteers at the JDRF Gala each year.

Julia is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, and volunteers with her husband for the Detroit Grand Prix. She has been married to Jerry for 18 years, and they have 2 daughters, BethAnne and Rachael.  They live in Shelby Township, with their 3 dogs!

Jillian Rippolone

T1D Chick

Jillian was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the summer of 1997 at 8 years old, at St. Johns Hospital. Her brother was diagnosed one year before she was, and they are one year apart.

She was one of the first type 1 Instagram accounts, spreading diabetes awareness and inspiring others to live confidently with T1D. Jillian is a JDRF volunteer and advocate, and you can find her on Instagram and Facebook @tidchick.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Social Science and is currently working at a Law Firm.

Stacey Simms

Author, blogger, podcaster

T1D Mom

Author, blogger and podcaster Stacey Simms is a recognized and respected voice in the diabetes community. Her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006, just before he turned two-years-old and she began blogging about her family’s experience a few weeks later.

Stacey produces and hosts the weekly, award-winning podcast Diabetes Connections and is a sought-after speaker and panelist. She’s been named Diabetes Forecast Magazine’s 12 People to Know (2017) and as a DiabetesMine Patient Voices Scholar (2018). All profits from her cookbook, “I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can” are donated to JDRF. Prior to starting her podcast, Stacey was an award-winning TV and radio news anchor/reporter. She was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s “Forty under 40,” and as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Mecklenburg County and “One of the Top 10 Locals to follow” by The Charlotte Observer. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University.

Eric Tozer

President & Co-founder: Diabetes Sports Project

T1D Athlete

Eric was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006 at the age of 22. Eric’s life, and that of his entire family, was quickly turned upside down: checking his blood sugar levels up to 10 times a day, calculating carbohydrate intake and injecting varying units of insulin multiple times throughout the day and with every meal. But, Eric wasn’t going to let diabetes define his life or control his future. 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 100+ T1D athletes around the globe.

In 2019, Eric made history becoming the first person with type 1 diabetes to complete the world marathon challenge, running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days. In his presentation “Overcoming Obstacles to Inspire; Completing the World Marathon Challenge” Eric shares how through proper diet, diabetes technology, exercise, a positive outlook and effective blood glucose management, dreams can be achieved.

Eric and his wife Jen, live in San Diego, CA with their two young daughters.

Eric Tozer’s participation is courtesy of Tandem Diabetes Care.

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 10 T1Ds)
• 2X Ironman triathlon finisher
• 2x NCAA Men's Soccer team captain
• NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (2004)

Curtis Triplitt, PharmD, CDE

Associate Professor of Medicine-Diabetes University of Texas Health Science Center and Texas Diabetes Institute

Dr. Triplitt is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio. He is actively involved with research, clinical, and the education of people with diabetes and health care professionals training at the Texas Diabetes Institute in San Antonio. Dr. Triplitt has published over 50 peer reviewed manuscripts and 8 chapters on diabetes mellitus. In addition, he is actively involved with diabetes organizations, he is a past president of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), past Vice-Chair of the Texas Diabetes Council – a governor appointed council, and he is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the ADA publication Diabetes Spectrum.

Emily Weatherup, MS, RDN, CDCES

Program Director, Adult Diabetes Education Program

Emily has been living with type 1 diabetes since age 11 and credits her personal experience in helping her find her professional passion. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and earned her Master’s in Diabetes Education and Management from Columbia University. Emily joined the Michigan Medicine Adult Diabetes Education program in 2014 and is currently working as the program’s director. Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 young daughters.