Dear AACE Community,

As we step into March, I want to take a moment to reflect on the meaningful work we accomplished in February and share some of the exciting opportunities ahead.

February Recap

Abbott - Rising Above Diabetes Bias:
Last month, AACE Board member Rifka Schulman-Rosenbaum, MD, FACE, and I had the privilege of traveling to New York City to attend Rising Above Diabetes Bias, a powerful panel discussion hosted by Abbott. This event highlighted the urgent need to address the stigma surrounding diabetes and foster a culture of empathy for those living with this chronic disease. Unfortunately, many individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes not only manage the daily challenges of their condition but also face biases that can impact their care and well-being.

The panel featured an incredible lineup of experts and advocates:

• Debbie Allen, Award-winning actress and producer
• Dr. Susan Guzman, Co-founder, Behavioral Diabetes Institute
• Dr. Jane Dickson, 2024 ADCES President
• Jeniese Hosey, Person living with Type 2 Diabetes
• Moderator: Dr. Mahmood Kazeml, Chief Medical Officer, Abbott

The event reinforced why breaking down stigma is critical to improving care. By fostering awareness, challenging misconceptions, and advocating for compassionate care, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for people living with diabetes.

Novo Nordisk - 2025 Outlook on the New Administration and 119th Congress:
I also had the honor of attending the 2025 Outlook on the New Administration and 119th Congress program, hosted by Novo Nordisk. Susan Hirschman, CEO of Williams & Jensen, and Former Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI-03) provided valuable insights into the current administration’s policies and what they mean for healthcare. The discussion highlighted the critical role of advocacy in shaping healthcare policy, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration to improve access to endocrine care nationwide.

Sanofi - Patient Advocacy Council:
I also had the opportunity to participate in the 2025 Sanofi Patient Advocacy Council, where I engaged with dedicated patient advocacy organizations working tirelessly to improve access to care. Their passion and commitment are truly inspiring, and I look forward to deepening our collaborations to drive meaningful change for patients.

March Key Events

Looking ahead, this month presents more opportunities to advocate for endocrine care and engage with key stakeholders.

ASMBS Obesity Summit – March 2025:
March 7 – 8, 2025, I’ll be attending the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Obesity Summit: Moving the Needle – Advancing Comprehensive Care for Obesity, alongside AACE member, Elizabeth Bauer, MD, FACP. This exclusive event will bring together up to 125 key opinion leaders from healthcare, industry, patient advocacy, and policy to develop actionable strategies to integrate comprehensive care models for obesity, elevate public education, and improve access to evidence-based treatments such as metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS).

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease, and we are committed to collaborating with industry leaders to advance treatment and strengthen patient support.

ASAE Legislative Fly-In:
March 24 – 27, 2025, I will be in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Legislative Fly-In. This event provides a valuable opportunity to engage with policymakers, advocate for policies that strengthen the AACE community, and enhance access to endocrine care.