Thirty-seven diabetes bloggers and online advocates convened here in Florida Tuesday, hosted by Roche Diabetes, for the second annual Social Media Summit — a rare in-person gathering where we can exchange ideas over advocacy efforts and discuss how we’d like to “change the world,” or at least diabetes care in the United States.
This year, representatives from both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) were invited to have a frank talk with our outspoken group. We tossed both criticisms and ideas at them. It was a blast, and it definitely felt like we were changing the world just by opening the channels of communication this way.
I have to give a lot of credit to the ADA for sending a full team of six people to talk with us, including their new Chief Scientific & Medical Officer David Kendall (!) They listened to our concerns, without being defensive, and agreed that much needs to change in that organization. “For too many years, we were not a constituent-focused organization when it comes to serving the patients we represent,” Kendall’s colleague said. Wow.
I have a lot more detail to share on how the repercussions of this Summit could really begin to “move the needle” on diabetes patient empowerment.
But it’s 1am as I’m writing this, and I have a talk to deliver tomorrow morning.
So please enjoy this ‘goofy’ group photo of us advocates. Recognize any of your favorite bloggers? (list of names TBA)
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“For too many years, we were not a constituent-focused organization when it comes to serving the patients we represent”
I’m stunned!
What a wonderful event …. I truly wish I was there!!! But thank you to all who attended and were the “voices” for the rest of us PWD who were not there!
Thanks for the updates! Great photo! Wish I could have joined you guys!
This is a great way to drive an important healthcare issue for millions of people. It is nice to see Roche supporting this in this fashion.
Did Roche pay for travel, rooms, and meals?
@Mark – yes they did. Like last year. Details/disclosure here:
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/helping-roche-engage-with-the-diabetes-oc.html
My mom has had Type 2 Diabetes for years and when she did the HCG Diet, she was able to almost completely stop taking her meds altogether. This is why I started a blog on the topic of the HCG Diet. You should check it out. I really like your blog here.
Thanks,
Brian M. Connole
hcg411.info
Love the ‘quick brief’ in the title – I always have trouble keeping it brief with these types of reviews. I am also enjoying seeing who picks the ‘fun’ picture for their posts and who picks the ‘normal’ one
Thanks for the quick recap, Amy… It was so great to finally meet you in person! I too give them all a lot of credit for just coming together to be a part of this kind of dialogue, and for most for being willing to keep it going past this summit. Truly awesome. Now, off to write my recaps…
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