“NEW INSIGHTS INTO DIABETES CARE”

29th-Annual Diabetes Foundation Super Conference
January 12, 2008- Hilton Jackson Conference Center

Jackson– World-renowned diabetes experts, discussions on cutting-edge diabetes technology and treatment options, family-focused programs for parents, educational opportunities for children and cooking demonstrations added together produce the formula for a successful and eye-opening diabetes conference.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) presents everyone interested in diabetes care and improvement with the opportunity to join some of the nation’s foremost diabetes experts at the 29th-annual Super Conference on January 12 at the Hilton.  The conference offers two tracks– one for Type 1 diabetes and another for Type 2– and a separate day of fun, educational activities for children. 

“Technology and treatment options change at an extraordinarily fast pace, and it is absolutely vital to keep up with the changes and what they mean for your diabetes well-being,” said DFM Executive Vice President Mary Fortune. “Diabetes is a family disease, as it affects everyone in the family in one form or another, and this conference presents participants with a unique opportunity to bring the whole family. Truly, we are living up to our promise of serving everyone– from our children to our seniors!”

Some of the conference presenters include former acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MPH and Ed Thompson, MD, MPH, acting director of the Mississippi State Department of Health. Other presenters include Luis Bruno, executive chef at the governor’s mansion; former Miss America Nicole Johnson; and Director of the Jackson Heart Study Herman Taylor, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA. Nationally recognized family therapist Joe Solowiejczyk, RN, MSW, CDE; Christian Koch, MD, PhD, chairman of the Department of Endocrinology at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine; Marshall Bouldin, MD, Director, University of Mississippi Medical Center Metabolic Disease Program; Autumn Douglas, LDN, RD, CDE, clinical manager, Animas; and Michael Whitmore, DPM, FACFAS, of North Mississippi Foot Specialists are also conference presenters.

The conference will address topics of interest to both those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes– children and adults alike, and this annual patient-education meeting will feature presentations for parents and family members, health-care practitioners and individuals living with diabetes or taking care of someone with diabetes.

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

 There also will be representatives from medical and pharmaceutical companies present with the latest diabetes-management products.  Great Harvest Bread Co. will offer samples of some of its wholesome breads that fit the needs of customers with diabetes and others watching their sugar, carbohydrate and fiber intake, and Bike Rack will be present with some of its exercise equipment on display. At the end of the day, Bike Rack will give a piece of its exercise equipment to the lucky drawing winner.

Sponsored by Eli Lilly & Co., a daylong educational session– “Inspired by Diabetes”– will be held for children between the ages of six and 11 in the Hilton penthouse.

The Super Conference is a community-outreach, interactive, educational day for people with diabetes and their families that is designed to complement local diabetes awareness activities. Throughout the day, there will be breakout sessions on such topics as family dynamics, exercise and diabetes, cooking for health, foot care and cardiovascular health, to name a few. There will also be topics for families with school-age children with diabetes. In addition, the conference will offer screenings and blood-glucose, cholesterol and blood-pressure tests, which will be provided by local health-care practitioners utilizing some of the latest tools.

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. He served as the acting surgeon general and as the nation’s top doctor, oversaw nearly 6,000 U.S. medical personnel of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Moritsugu is a strong proponent of organ and tissue donations and transplantations.

Johnson, an international spokesperson, lobbyist and philanthropist for diabetes for over eight years, 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 dollars 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, and having lived with Type 1 diabetes since the age of seven, Solowiejczyk translates his personal experiences into patient care.

Thompson, 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. Prior to his work in Jackson, he worked for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta as its Chief of Public Health Practice and as Deputy Director for Public Health Services.

The Super Conference, which will be held at the Hilton Jackson Conference Center, is presented by the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, platinum presenter Animas- a Johnson & Johnson Co. silver sponsors Baptist Health Systems, Central Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi State Department of Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi and Viking, among others.

“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!”

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. In addition, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable
purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians– from children to seniors– who live with diabetes.

The cost of attendance is $20 for one, $35 for two, $50 for three and $10 for children. This cost includes breakfast, lunch and breaks. Group rates are available for churches.

Register for the 29th-annual Super Conference online at www.msdiabetes.org or call 1-877-DFM-CURE.