Some of the nation’s leading diabetes champions will participate in the 29th annual Diabetes Foundation Super Conference, “New Insights into Diabetes Care,” on Jan. 12 at the Hilton Jackson Conference Center in Jackson.

Hosted by the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM), the agenda will highlight opportunities for improved diabetes care.

“Technology and treatment options change at an extraordinarily fast pace, and it’s absolutely vital to keep up with the changes and what they mean for your diabetes well-being,” said Mary Fortune, DFM executive vice president. “The conference is for anyone who has interest in managing diabetes more efficiently, and we strongly encourage everyone to attend what is sure to be a very informative conference.”

Some of the conference presenters include:

• Former acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MPH
• Ed Thompson, MD, MPH, acting director of the Mississippi State Department of Health
• Luis Bruno, executive chef at the Governor’s Mansion
• Former Miss America Nicole Johnson
• Director of the Jackson Heart Study Herman Taylor, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA
• Joe Solowiejczyk, RN, MSW, CDE
• Christian Koch, MD, PhD, chairman of the Department of Endocrinology at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine
• Michael Whitmore, DPM, FACFAS, of North Mississippi Foot Specialists.

The annual patient-education program will feature presentations for healthcare practitioners treating children or adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, parents and family members of those living with diabetes or taking care of someone with the disease.

“Who knows when Mississippians will get another opportunity to interact with these nationally known diabetes experts in their own backyard again?” said DFM associate director Irena McClain, MPH. “This is why we encourage everyone to jump on this opportunity.”

Speaking with Authority

• A keynote speaker and a strong proponent of organ and tissue donations and transplantations, Moritsugu became the deputy surgeon general of the United States in 1998, a position in which he served as the principal advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. When he was the acting Surgeon General as the nation’s top doctor, he oversaw nearly 6,000 medical personnel of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

• Thompson, interim state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, is professor and chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Before returning to Jackson, where he was the state health officer, Thompson served the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta as Public Health Practice Chief and Public Health Services Deputy Director.

• Johnson, an international spokesperson, lobbyist and philanthropist for diabetes for nearly a decade, is the 1999 Miss America and author of three books on diabetes. Passionate about diabetes education and research, Johnson has helped raise more than $16 million for this cause. Living with Type 1 diabetes, Johnson wears an insulin pump and is the proud mom of daughter, Ava Grace.

• Solowiejczyk, manager of counseling and presentations for Animas Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson Co., will speak on the subject of family dynamics. An internationally known diabetes nurse educator and family therapist, he specializes in ways in which family dynamics affect diabetes management. Having lived with Type 1 diabetes since the age of seven, Solowiejczyk translates his personal experiences into patient care.

The Super Conference is a community-outreach, interactive, educational day-long event for diabetics and their families designed to complement local diabetes awareness activities. Throughout the day, breakout sessions will discuss topics such as exercise and diabetes, cooking for health, foot care and cardiovascular health. Also on the agenda: topics for families with diabetic school-age children. Screenings and blood-glucose tests will be provided by local healthcare practitioners using some of the newest tools. Representatives from medical and pharmaceutical companies will exhibit the latest diabetes-management products. Co-presenters of the Super Conference include Animas Corporation and Baptist Health Systems.

“To keep up with the latest information on diabetes management, no one should miss this opportunity to find out the latest treatment options and how these options can help improve quality of life,” said Fortune. “With our amazing lineup of speakers and presenters traveling from around the country to be at the conference, it promises to be our best one yet.”

DFM is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy. Its mission is to provide promise through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM remains in the state to support these efforts. In addition, 90 cents of each dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable purposes.

For more information, visit www.msdiabetes.org.



January 2008

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