About ADCES

ADCES Media Spokespeople

ADCES spokespeople are a select group of diabetes care and education specialists who have agreed to assist media as sources for stories on diabetes, prediabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions. They represent the organization's commitment to public education, through the media, of the important role that diabetes care and education specialists play in the healthcare system. For more information on ADCES, check out this fact sheet


To interview an ADCES media spokesperson, contact: 

ADCES Media |  800.338.3633  | media@adces.org   

Become an ADCES Spokesperson 

The application window for the 2023 cohort of ADCES Spokespeople is now open!

Are you interested in becoming an ADCES Spokesperson? ADCES members should monitor their email for an announcement in May of each year for a call for applications. To qualify, we ask that applicants commit to the following:

  • Term of service: 3 years starting at your training at the ADCES annual conference.
  • Media interviews: As an ADCES spokesperson, you would act as a resource for media and help shine the light on issues important to ADCES members and those they serve. All media would be coordinated by ADCES. Interviews are usually scheduled via email and we ask that you respond in a timely manner.
  • Blog creation: As the "eyes in the field," your expertise and in-depth knowledge of current issues affecting your clients are a helpful and effective teaching tool to share with your fellow diabetes care and education specialists. We ask that you commit to writing one blog post (300 – 500 words) per year of service. This will be scheduled with ADCES on a yearly basis.
  • Media opportunities: Spokespersons are responsible for understanding their local and state media outlets (ADCES can help to identify), staying current on their coverage and proactively seeking out local exposure via getting to know those who cover the health and other relevant beats. 
  • Media training: All ADCES spokespeople MUST attend media training held at the ADCES annual conference in order to begin their service. Media training includes travel and hotel expenses as well as ADCES annual conference registration. The full day training typically takes place the Thursday before the conference begins. 

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Sandra Arévalo, MPH, RDN, CDN, CDCES, CLC, FADA

Arevalo is the program director of community and patient education at Montefiore Nyack, NY. She has served as chair in various organizations committed to improving the nutrition of Latinos and high-risk populations in the U.S. She is the author of Microwave Chef, a book inspired by people living in shelters. Her work in nutrition education and diabetes for the underserved has received multiple awards of excellence, has been presented nationally, and featured in national and international TV and printed media.

 

Kristine Batty

Kristine Batty, Ph.D., APRN-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES

Batty's passion for diabetes education began when her grandfather was treated for the disease. For over two decades she has developed her expertise as a diabetes care and education specialist. Her experience includes being the owner of a diabetes specialty practice, a member of an inpatient diabetes management service, and an educator of healthcare providers and students on the management of diabetes. Additionally, she is a member of the ADCES Professional Practice Committee and co-leader of the ADCES Technology COI.

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Veronica Brady, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES

Brady is a certified diabetes care and education specialist as well as board certified in advanced diabetes management. She has presented nationally and internationally on the subject of diabetes and the management of patients receiving high dose steroids. She has authored several publications in the area of diabetes in Oncology Nursing Forum, Journal of Diabetes Therapeutics and Technology, and the Clinical Advisor.

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Jodi Lavin-Tompkins, MSN, RN, CDCES, BC-ADM

Lavin-Tompkins is an advanced practice nurse and certified diabetes educator with over 25 years in the field of diabetes management. She is board certified in advanced diabetes management. Her Master’s degree and NP certification are from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Lavin-Tompkins is the Director of Accreditation and Content at ADCES.  

Alison Massey

Alison Massey, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES

Massey is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist with over fifteen years of experience providing nutrition education, counseling and health promotion programming. Massey has worked in various clinical, community, wellness and communication environments. She is a freelance writer and regular columnist for Diabetes Self-Management Magazine. A trusted expert, she appears regularly in local media outlets and is frequently quoted in national and online publications. She has been a certified diabetes care & education specialist since 2011 and has received a certificate in weight management training for both adult and pediatric populations. She is the owner of Flourish Nutrition Therapy & Wellness, a private practice based in Maryland. 

Chris Memering

Chris Memering, MSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES 

Memering is a nurse and certified diabetes care and educations specialist. She has served in various positions for ADCES, was named as a fellow of ADCES, and elected to the board of directors to serve for the term of 2019-2021. She is also a member of the Diabetes Advisory Council for the state of North Carolina, and sits on several advisory boards, including her local pharmacy’s diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) ADCES program and her local YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Her practice is in care of the hospitalized individual with diabetes, but interests also include technology use in diabetes and online peer support. 

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Tamara K. Oser, MD

Oser is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Director of the High Plains Research Network and a diabetes researcher. Her daughter and husband have type 1 diabetes. As a practicing family physician, she cares for many patients with diabetes and believes team-based care is the best approach. Additionally, Oser contributes to ADCES publications and her research interests include peer support and diabetes technologies.

Lauren Plunkett

Lauren Plunkett, RDN, LD, CDCES

 

Plunkett is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist working nationwide as a health educator. She specializes in nutrition and exercise for type 1 diabetes, and plant-based nutrition for chronic disease and preventive health. As a person living with type 1 diabetes, she provides knowledge from the perspective of the patient and healthcare professional. She is a dynamic public speaker, fitness instructor, and author of the award-winning book, Type One Determination.

 

Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCACP, FADCES

Reece has a diverse background in the pharmacy arena having worked in community pharmacy, state pharmacy association, public health, primary care and diabetes education. She is currently associate professor and vice chair of pharmacy practice department PCOM Georgia School of Pharmacy. Her passion for diabetes and caring for individuals with diabetes has led to her area of clinical and research specialty – endocrinology, with a focus in diabetes. She provides clinical and education services at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Family Medicine (Family Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program) in Gainesville, Georgia. 

Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES

Scheiner is owner and clinical director of Integrated Diabetes Services, an international practice based just outside of Philadelphia specializing in intensive insulin therapy and advanced education for children and adults. He has been a certified diabetes care and education specialist for more than 25 years and has had type 1 diabetes for 35 years. Scheiner was named 2014 Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year by ADCES. He has published more than 100 articles and written six books, including “Think Like A Pancreas-A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes With Insulin.” He lectures internationally and serves as an advisor to many companies and organizations in the diabetes industry.

Vandana Sheth

Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND

Sheth is a nationally recognized and award winning registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and owner of a successful private practice in the Los Angeles area. She has over two decades experience and specializes in intuitive eating, food allergies, vegetarian nutrition, diabetes and family nutrition. As a go-to expert, she is a valuable resource for expert commentary, story ideas and background. Her media appearances include global, national and local TV, Radio, Print and Digital outlets. She is also a dynamic speaker and has presented at many conferences. She is the author of a published cookbook - My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes. 

 

Mark Smith

Mark Smith, Jr., PharmD, CDCES, AFAA-CGFI

Smith is a clinical pharmacist and diabetes care and education specialist. In addition to practicing pharmacy in the retail community setting, he also serves as pharmacy supervisor at Hill Hospital in York, Alabama. An Auburn University Doctor of Pharmacy graduate of nearly 10 years, Smith provides medication therapy management and diabetes education consultations. He is also a certified group fitness instructor that is passionate about empowering and improving the physical activity of those in the community. 

Sneha Srivastava

Sneha Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM, FADCES

Srivastava is a board-certified clinical pharmacy specialist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and lifestyle medicine practitioner. She is faculty at Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy and teaches courses related to chronic disease state management, communication and other skills related to pharmacy practice, and population health and lifestyle medicine. Since graduating from Rutgers University School of Pharmacy in 2004 she has served patients, students, and peers with comprehensive and contemporary diabetes related education that includes a deeper understanding the condition, discovering new treatments, and embracing technological advances.She is passionate about empowering people and herself to bring optimal care to themselves and the people with diabetes they serve. 

Melanie Teslik

Melanie Teslik, MS, RN, BC-ADM, CDCES

Teslik has been working as a Diabetes Nurse Educator for over a dozen years at NYU Langone, Long Island. In this role, she has focused on always being the patient advocate and teacher. Her role also includes technology education and quality improvement. NYU Langone is a teaching hospital that has allowed participation in the education of future endocrinologists and research. She is certified diabetes care and educational specialist and board certified in advanced diabetes management. Teslik has served in many volunteer positions for ADCES on local, state, and national levels. 

Vandana Sheth

Dana Thompson MS, RDN, CDCES

Thompson is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and the founder of Advantage Diabetes and Nutrition Prevention Services in Phoenix, Arizona. She is certified as a type 2 diabetes prevention provider by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her skills are called upon by private organizations such as corporate wellness entities, insurance providers, and not-for-profit organizations to assist in the development of value-based type 2 diabetes prevention and diabetes self-management education. She assists organizations in identifying the best methods to program these services into their specific organizational structure. Whether the diabetes care program experience is in person or virtual, her goal is to help people with diabetes live a wonderful life.

Joe Trotter

George "Joe" Trotter, Jr., BSN, RN, CDCES

Trotter is a registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist. Within his current role, he focuses on the care, glucose management and education of the hospitalized person with diabetes. Trotter also co-leads outpatient classes for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, refresher/update classes and sessions for women with gestational diabetes. He is a lifestyle coach for his hospital’s CDC-recognized  National Diabetes Prevention Program and also serves as a staff nurse at Kiki’s Kids Camp for Youth with Diabetes. Trotter is living and thriving with type 1 diabetes. Additional interests include diabetes technology, specifically insulin pumps and CGM, Diabetes Distress and management, and the cardiovascular disease-diabetes relationship.

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Melissa Young, PharmD, RPh, BC-ADM, CDCES

Young is a clinical pharmacist with 20 years of experience in diabetes education and management. She is a certified diabetes care and education specialist, and has earned a board certification in advanced diabetes management. She specializes in the treatment of adults with complex diabetes and metabolic disorders while providing chronic disease management services for veterans. Young holds a teaching affiliation with the University of Utah. Her current interests include opioid safety, disease prevention and matters related to healthcare policy.  

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Melliza "Millay" C. Young, MD, MSGH, CDCES, CHCQM, FABQAURP, CMPE

Dr. Melliza “Millay” C. Young is a foreign medical graduate from the Philippines with a Master of Science in Global Health. She previously worked for private companies in Guam and briefly served as Chief Executive Officer of the Guam Community Health Centers. Dr. Young is passionate about building health systems capacity and integrating access to care for people with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) in limited resource settings within the US-affiliated Pacific islands. As a certified diabetes care and education specialist, she champions a stronger framework for delivering DSMES and provides technical assistance for culturally relevant DSMES resource development and training tailored to interdisciplinary Pacific NCD collaborative teams. 

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