TuDiabetes Live interview with Philip Toleikis, President of Sernova

Sernova is a clinical-stage company developing products for the treatment of chronic diseases using therapeutic cells transplanted into an implanted medical device to replace missing proteins or hormones.

Sernova’s device forms a natural environment promoting the long-term function of therapeutic cells. The company’s first therapeutic indication is for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes.
Dr. Philip Toleikis is a seasoned biotechnology executive, with over 20 years of experience in the therapeutic, medical device and combination product sectors. He has been President and CEO of Sernova Corp. a clinical stage company since 2009, successfully gaining financing for the company through grants and equity funding of over $10M, and has been leading the development of a natural and immune-protected environment for delivering therapeutic cells to patients with chronic diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes and haemophilia.
Dr. Toleikis headed a successful consulting company for the medical device and combination product field and was previously Vice President, R&D Pharmacology and Drug Screening, at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he built and oversaw product development teams working on novel combination products to improve technologies for restenosis, surgical adhesions, device related infections, and orthopedic indications as well as led the team in the development of a novel treatment for immune inflammatory disease with completed Phase II clinical studies in multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
He also headed multiple corporate collaborations and in seeking in-licensing technologies. Dr. Toleikis is an author of multiple issued patents and over 110 patent applications. His research training and experience includes biochemical pharmacology, diabetes, oncology, inflammatory diseases (psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, surgical adhesions, Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis), osteoarthritis, neurological diseases and cardiovascular conditions including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertension and aneurysms.
His career philosophy is in developing and empowering closely integrated product development teams and linking those to the physicians and patients who are in need of novel products to build a strong passion for success. He has been a volunteer for many years for regional science fairs, as well as Diabetes, and Heart and Stroke Foundations and on the grant writing committee for a local school council. Dr. Toleikis has earned advanced degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of British Columbia, where he completed his Ph.D.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live Interview with Dr. Christopher Jacobs, Ph.D.

Christopher Jacobs holds a PhD in Bio-medical Engineering, pioneering early work in cardiac pacemakers, renal dialysis, and advanced methods of evaluating the effectiveness and usability of a wide variety of medical equipment. He holds over 40 patents, all designed to improve people’s lives. At the pleadings of a good friend with T2 diabetes, who had lost tactile sensation, Dr. Jacobs began research on a device that could effectively and reliably draw blood from both alternate sites and fingers, completely without pain. He reasoned that if he could accomplish that goal, those with diabetes would test more often, and improve their health. In 2012, he formed Genteel LLC, and in June of 2014, Genteel, the “gentle lancing instrument” was on the market. Mission accomplished!

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview with Cynthia Rice update on #MedicareCoverCGM

Cynthia Rice is Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy for JDRF. She is responsible for JDRF’s advocacy to Congress, the executive branch, regulatory agencies, and health plans to accelerate therapies to cure, treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes.

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with the disease, JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D.

Ms. Rice joined JDRF, then known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, in 2005 and led a cross-departmental staff team that developed the Artificial Pancreas Project. She was promoted to Vice President, Government Relations in 2009 and to her current role in 2013.
The Issue and What’s Being Done

Thousands of people are benefiting daily from tighter glucose control reached with the help of a continuous glucose monitor. The use of CGM technologies is recommended by national diabetes clinical guidelines and covered by nearly all private health plans. To date, Medicare does not cover CGM devices, regardless of the wide coverage by private health plans and the evidence of clinical benefit, leaving seniors with diabetes vulnerable. It’s time for Medicare to cover CGMs.

JDRF has been working closely with other interested stakeholders for more than a year to encourage Medicare to cover CGM devices, and has made Medicare coverage of CGM devices one of their top Advocacy priorities. While JDRF continues to work with Medicare in hopes of resolving this issue quickly, they ask that you join them in building support within Congress for Medicare coverage of CGMs. To learn more, read their coalition fact sheet.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview with Glen Tullman, CEO of Livongo

Glen Tullman is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Livongo HealthTM. He is also a successful entrepreneur and co-founder and Managing Partner of 7wire Ventures, a Chicago-based investment firm focused on healthcare and education. Tullman most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Allscripts (NASDAQ: MDRX), the leading global provider of Electronic Health Records, Practice Management and Electronic Prescribing systems. He led Allscripts’ IPO and secondary offerings.

Livongo Mission

“We want people with diabetes to spend more time living their lives. That’s why we offer a bold, new program that requires less time managing the busywork. Livongo for Diabetes empowers people with the right information and tools to live better. That’s good for all of us: the person, their family and friends, their employer, their physicians and those who pay for the care.”

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview with Gary Scheiner, CDE "Things we’re thankful for"

Gary is a certified diabetes educator, insulin-pump and continuous glucose monitor user and trainer, and Masters-level exercise physiologist. He serves on the advisory boards of several diabetes device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies; volunteers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association, American Diabetes Association, and Setebaid diabetes camps; and serves on the faculty of Children With Diabetes. Gary teaches and art and science of blood-glucose balancing to people with diabetes throughout the world from his private practice, Integrated Diabetes Services as well as through his online school of higher learning for insulin users, Type 1 University.

Join us on the homepage of TuDiabetes for a live presentation and question-and-answer session with Gary Scheiner, founder of Integrated Diabetes Services and author of Think Like a Pancreas, The Ultimate Guide to Accurate Carb Counting, and now Until there is a Cure: the Latest and Greatest in Diabetes Self-Care.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live Interview: Lisa Shapiro presents Broken Sleep Patterns

Lisa Shapiro, RD, will be discussing the effects of fragmented sleep patterns on insulin and serum glucose levels, the most common conditions that lead to fragmented sleep patterns in people living with diabetes, and helpful tips to help encourage a restful night’s sleep.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live Interview: Emily Jones presents Metabolism

Emily Jones is a Registered Dietitian studying for her Masters in Diabetes Education and Management. She has Type 1 diabetes and currently works as a dietitian diabetes educator to help people learn how to eat healthfully and live well with their diabetes.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live Interview: Heather Kanastab presents Sick Day Plan

Heather studied Nutrition and Dietetics at Syracuse University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Diabetes Education and Management at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently works as a dietitian and diabetes educator at ProHEALTH Medical Management, where she provides services in both private and group settings.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview with Jennifer Smith RD, LD, CDE "Diabetes and Pregnancy"

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Biology from the University of Wisconsin. She is a Registered (and Licensed) Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. She is an active member of the American Diabetes Association, American Association of Diabetes Educators and was an active member and educator for Team WILD (We Inspire Life with Diabetes). She is also a contributing author for the Diabetes Sisters website. Jennifer currently works as Director of Lifestyle and Nutrition for Gary Scheiner at Integrated Diabetes Services.

Jennifer has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 13. She has first-hand knowledge of the numerous day-to-day events that affect diabetes management. In 2008 she attended a diabetes-specific sports training camp where she discovered her passion for achieving her personal fitness goals while living healthfully with diabetes. In 2009 she successfully completed her first 70.3, Half Ironman triathlon. This brought a deeper understanding of athletic training requirements when living with diabetes as well as the importance of nutrition to realize athletic goals. Jennifer has completed numerous half marathons, long distance cycling events (many for the ADA’s Tour de Cure) and completed her first full marathon in January 2014.

Jennifer and her husband Nathan share their home with their son Oskar (12/20/12), their new puppy Franklin and cat Cornelius. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and kayaking. A culinary “experimenter”, she is fond of cooking and baking, with an eye on vegetarian and allergen free food options. As a talented dietitian, diabetes educator, athlete, new Mom and person with diabetes, she is in a unique position to assist clients with intensive diabetes management.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


#BigBlueTest and #T2DanceCrew Video Of The Week

Join the T2 Dance Crew™ and So You Think You Can Dance alum Janette Manrara to exercise and learn exclusive Cha-cha-cha dance moves!

This is a collaboration between Big Blue Test and T2 Dance Crew™, a national educational and wellness program launched by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., together with famed dancer, choreographer and actress Debbie Allen and the television show So You Think You Can Dance. This program aims to help millions of people with type 2 diabetes tap into the natural joy of dance and add movement to their comprehensive diabetes management approach.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview with Sherita Golden, MD "Mental Health and Diabetes"

Dr. Sherita Hill Golden is the Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She also holds joint appointments in the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research and in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Golden’s current research focuses on studying the neuroendocrine response to chronic psychological stress as a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She has authored and co-authored over 100 original articles and book chapters in the areas of diabetes and cardiovascular disease epidemiology. She is a former Robert Wood Johnson Minority Medical Faculty Career Development Award recipient and her current research is funded through the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. She is the director of the Johns Hopkins Inpatient Diabetes Management Service and serves as Chairperson of the Glucose Steering Committee for Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube


TuDiabetes Live interview: Joshua Levy "Map to a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes"

Joshua Levy is a Bay Area native who works as a software engineer. His daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 18 months, and is now 13 years old. Joshua has been blogging for many years about potential cures for T1D, at Current Research into a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Check it out!

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Uploaded by: Diabetes Hands Foundation
Hosted: youtube