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SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Laura Pavlakovich, SESSION: The Importance of Community
Laura Pavlakovich is the founder and executive director of You're Just My Type, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health of Type 1 diabetics through connection-based initiatives. The organization hosts free, year-round mental health events for Type 1 diabetics of all ages, fostering community and reducing the feeling isolation that comes with having this disease. Living with Type 1 diabetes since childhood, Laura understands the profound mental and emotional toll the condition can take and is passionate about creating spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and understood.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Line Wisting, SESSION: Adapting The Body Project for People with Diabetes
Line Wisting, PhD is a researcher at the Regional Department for Eating Disorders at Oslo University Hospital in Norway. With a strong background in health psychology, she has dedicated her career to exploring the complex intersection of type 1 diabetes and eating disorders. After earning her doctorate from the University of Oslo, she pursued postdoctoral research to further investigate the psychological challenges faced by individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Wisting's groundbreaking work has gone beyond traditional focuses on food and numbers to explore critical psychological factors, including attitudes toward chronic illness, insulin-related emotions, age, and duration of diabetes, with notable gender-specific differences.Recognizing the gap in prevention strategies for those with comorbid diabetes and eating disorders, Dr. Wisting adapted the Body Project—a well-established eating disorder prevention program—for individuals with diabetes. Following a successful pilot study, she and her team are now expanding their research with a multi-site study across four countries.
In addition to her research, Dr. Wisting is an active member of the diabetes psychology group within the Norwegian Diabetes Association. Her work continues to shape the understanding and treatment of mental health challenges in individuals with type 1 diabetes, paving the way for more effective interventions and support systems
Dr. Wisting's groundbreaking work has gone beyond traditional focuses on food and numbers to explore critical psychological factors, including attitudes toward chronic illness, insulin-related emotions, age, and duration of diabetes, with notable gender-specific differences.Recognizing the gap in prevention strategies for those with comorbid diabetes and eating disorders, Dr. Wisting adapted the Body Project—a well-established eating disorder prevention program—for individuals with diabetes. Following a successful pilot study, she and her team are now expanding their research with a multi-site study across four countries.
In addition to her research, Dr. Wisting is an active member of the diabetes psychology group within the Norwegian Diabetes Association. Her work continues to shape the understanding and treatment of mental health challenges in individuals with type 1 diabetes, paving the way for more effective interventions and support systems
Panel Hosts
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HOST: Lauren Bongiorno
PANEL: Sweet Beginnings: Navigating Diabetes During Pregnancy Lauren Bongiorno is the founder and CEO of Risely Health, a virtual type one diabetes health coaching company. Diagnosed at age 7, Lauren quickly realized that diabetes is more than a math problem to be solved. It is an experience to be managed. Guided by a team of Nationally Board-Certified coaches who live with T1D, Risely knows that the 8.4 million people living with T1D only have time to focus on the numbers in a typical 15-minute doctor’s appointment. Their health coaching model has helped thousands of people reclaim the life they deserve by learning their patterns and discovering strategies that work. Lauren reaches over 1 million impressions per month on social media, has been featured on the TODAY Show, is a keynote speaker, and has partnered with renowned Fortune 500 companies such as Insulet, Dexcom, Abott, and Nike. Learn more at riselyhealth.com |
Healthcare Professional Speakers
SPEAKER: Dr. Ovidio Bermudez, MD, CEDS, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, F.iaedp
SESSION: Neurobiology, Diabetes, and Eating Disorders
Ovidio Bermudez, M.D. is the Senior Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Services, Chief Clinical Education Officer and Executive Ambassador for Eating Recovery Center and affiliates. He holds academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine and University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He is Board certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.Dr. Bermudez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the Academy for Eating Disorders, and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. He is a current Board member and a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and IAEDP.Dr. Bermudez has lectured nationally and internationally on diabetes and eating disorders, as well as eating pathology across the lifespan. He has been repeatedly recognized for his dedication, advocacy, professional achievement and clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from NEDA and IAEDP
SESSION: Neurobiology, Diabetes, and Eating Disorders
Ovidio Bermudez, M.D. is the Senior Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Services, Chief Clinical Education Officer and Executive Ambassador for Eating Recovery Center and affiliates. He holds academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine and University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He is Board certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.Dr. Bermudez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the Academy for Eating Disorders, and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. He is a current Board member and a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and IAEDP.Dr. Bermudez has lectured nationally and internationally on diabetes and eating disorders, as well as eating pathology across the lifespan. He has been repeatedly recognized for his dedication, advocacy, professional achievement and clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from NEDA and IAEDP
SPEAKER: Lauren Newman, RD, CDCES, CEDS
SESSION: Tech vs Triggers: The Role of Diabetes Technology in Eating Disorder Recovery
Lauren Newman is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) passionate about helping individuals with diabetes make peace with food and their bodies. She founded a group practice specialized in eating disorder care for people with diabetes. Lauren uses her training and experience to help individuals with diabetes heal from disordered eating patterns, and support other healthcare providers in deepening their understanding of the relationship between diabetes and eating disorders. Find Lauren on instagram @laurennewman.rd
SESSION: Tech vs Triggers: The Role of Diabetes Technology in Eating Disorder Recovery
Lauren Newman is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) passionate about helping individuals with diabetes make peace with food and their bodies. She founded a group practice specialized in eating disorder care for people with diabetes. Lauren uses her training and experience to help individuals with diabetes heal from disordered eating patterns, and support other healthcare providers in deepening their understanding of the relationship between diabetes and eating disorders. Find Lauren on instagram @laurennewman.rd
SPEAKER: Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD
SESSION: Life with a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: A Double-Edged Sword?
Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD is a registered dietitian, two-time author and founder of a virtual, insurance-based private practice. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18, she experienced firsthand the fear, confusion and frustration of navigating the healthcare system that often leave people feeling unsupported. Amanda is determined to change the diabetes narrative by now combining her personal experience with her professional expertise to create a new approach to diabetes care that she wished she had when she was diagnosed. Through her books, speaking engagements, and direct patient care, she focuses on what the healthcare system often misses: empowering people with diabetes and their families with the practical tools, accessible education, and advocacy skills they need to become their own best resources in managing their diabetes. At the heart of her work is this philosophy: 98% of your diabetes care is done by you. And knowing you can rely on yourself? That's not just a powerful feeling- it's absolutely everything.
Website: t1dnutritionist.com
Instagram: @t1d.nutritionist
SESSION: Life with a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: A Double-Edged Sword?
Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD is a registered dietitian, two-time author and founder of a virtual, insurance-based private practice. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18, she experienced firsthand the fear, confusion and frustration of navigating the healthcare system that often leave people feeling unsupported. Amanda is determined to change the diabetes narrative by now combining her personal experience with her professional expertise to create a new approach to diabetes care that she wished she had when she was diagnosed. Through her books, speaking engagements, and direct patient care, she focuses on what the healthcare system often misses: empowering people with diabetes and their families with the practical tools, accessible education, and advocacy skills they need to become their own best resources in managing their diabetes. At the heart of her work is this philosophy: 98% of your diabetes care is done by you. And knowing you can rely on yourself? That's not just a powerful feeling- it's absolutely everything.
Website: t1dnutritionist.com
Instagram: @t1d.nutritionist
SPEAKER: Amanda Kirpitch, RD, CDCES
SESSION: Glp-1 use and eating disorders: when science meets our relationship with food
Amanda has been a dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist for over 20 years. She is currently the owner of Nutrition Perspective, LLC a private practice in New Jersey serving people with diabetes, eating disorders and cardiometabolic conditions with a focus on simplifying management and improving relationships with food. Amanda is passionate about working with people with diabetes starting her career working pediatrics helping people navigate type 1 diabetes from day 1 through her career working with all ages and varying types of diabetes. Prior to having her own practice, Amanda gained a wealth of experience working in diabetes at Columbia University in New York and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
SESSION: Glp-1 use and eating disorders: when science meets our relationship with food
Amanda has been a dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist for over 20 years. She is currently the owner of Nutrition Perspective, LLC a private practice in New Jersey serving people with diabetes, eating disorders and cardiometabolic conditions with a focus on simplifying management and improving relationships with food. Amanda is passionate about working with people with diabetes starting her career working pediatrics helping people navigate type 1 diabetes from day 1 through her career working with all ages and varying types of diabetes. Prior to having her own practice, Amanda gained a wealth of experience working in diabetes at Columbia University in New York and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
Combo Session Speakers: Sessions for both tracks
SPEAKER: Mila Clarke, MS
SESSION: Finding Food Joy: Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Food and Diabetes
Mila Clarke is a diabetes patient advocate, Integrative Nutrition Diabetes Health Coach, author and self-taught cook living with LADA since 2016. Mila's work aims to take away the shame and stigma that comes with a diabetes diagnosis and covers topics like diabetes management, food joy and cooking, and self-care from the perspective of someone living with the chronic condition. In 2024, she launched the Glucose Guide Community, a safe space and app for people with diabetes to build confidence and knowledge around diabetes self-management, and receive free, or low-cost health coaching services. Mila has been featured by CNN, The New York Times, Eat This Not That, USA Today, Good Housekeeping and WebMD. She has contributed to Healthline, The Washington Post and EatingWell Magazine. Mila lives in Houston, Texas. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Applied Nutrition.
SESSION: Finding Food Joy: Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Food and Diabetes
Mila Clarke is a diabetes patient advocate, Integrative Nutrition Diabetes Health Coach, author and self-taught cook living with LADA since 2016. Mila's work aims to take away the shame and stigma that comes with a diabetes diagnosis and covers topics like diabetes management, food joy and cooking, and self-care from the perspective of someone living with the chronic condition. In 2024, she launched the Glucose Guide Community, a safe space and app for people with diabetes to build confidence and knowledge around diabetes self-management, and receive free, or low-cost health coaching services. Mila has been featured by CNN, The New York Times, Eat This Not That, USA Today, Good Housekeeping and WebMD. She has contributed to Healthline, The Washington Post and EatingWell Magazine. Mila lives in Houston, Texas. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Applied Nutrition.
SPEAKER: Libia Marqueza Castro, M.Ed
SESSION: Actions for Liberation in the Diabetes Community
Libia Marqueza Castro, M.Ed. (she/hers/ella) is an intersectional feminist educator and the daughter of immigrants. Diagnosed in 1997, Libia has lived almost her entire life with type 1 diabetes and follows the principles of multiple justice movements to advocate for her comrades. She is a program coordinator at Oregon State University where she works closely with students to create community engaged, service-learning focused leadership opportunities with an anti-racist and anti-colonial lens. Libia is currently working on her doctorate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and “is extremely grateful to DBH for the opportunity to host space for community dreaming.”
SESSION: Actions for Liberation in the Diabetes Community
Libia Marqueza Castro, M.Ed. (she/hers/ella) is an intersectional feminist educator and the daughter of immigrants. Diagnosed in 1997, Libia has lived almost her entire life with type 1 diabetes and follows the principles of multiple justice movements to advocate for her comrades. She is a program coordinator at Oregon State University where she works closely with students to create community engaged, service-learning focused leadership opportunities with an anti-racist and anti-colonial lens. Libia is currently working on her doctorate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and “is extremely grateful to DBH for the opportunity to host space for community dreaming.”
SPEAKER: Mia Rossmanith, MS
SESSION: Conversations that Count: Communication Supporting Mental Health
Mia has been living with diabetes for 30 years and has been connecting with other people living with diabetes from an early age. In 2017 she dove into the (online) diabetes community worldwide. Since then, she has received Dedoc-voices scholarships, collected hundreds of diabetes supplies for people living with diabetes in the war zones in Ukraine and wrote articles for the Blood Sugar Lounge (a German speaking diabetes online magazine). She focused her master’s on the representation of people with disabilities in literature and considers herself a disability activist.
Instagram: busy_bolus_bee
SESSION: Conversations that Count: Communication Supporting Mental Health
Mia has been living with diabetes for 30 years and has been connecting with other people living with diabetes from an early age. In 2017 she dove into the (online) diabetes community worldwide. Since then, she has received Dedoc-voices scholarships, collected hundreds of diabetes supplies for people living with diabetes in the war zones in Ukraine and wrote articles for the Blood Sugar Lounge (a German speaking diabetes online magazine). She focused her master’s on the representation of people with disabilities in literature and considers herself a disability activist.
Instagram: busy_bolus_bee
People with Diabetes Speakers
SPEAKER: Chris Ruden
SESSION: Reducing Quality of Life Barriers Around Mental Health and Diabetes
Chris Ruden is an amputee, Type 1 diabetic record-holding powerlifter, keynote speaker and disabled model who was featured on The Rock’s hit TV show “Titan Games”. From being humiliated and labeled broken because of his disability to struggling with mental health and living in a non-disabled-inclusive world, Chris learned to turn his obstacles into opportunities, now using his badass bionic arm, diabetes technology, and message of “creating your world without limits” to impact people around the world.
Instagram: instagram.com/chrisruden/
SESSION: Reducing Quality of Life Barriers Around Mental Health and Diabetes
Chris Ruden is an amputee, Type 1 diabetic record-holding powerlifter, keynote speaker and disabled model who was featured on The Rock’s hit TV show “Titan Games”. From being humiliated and labeled broken because of his disability to struggling with mental health and living in a non-disabled-inclusive world, Chris learned to turn his obstacles into opportunities, now using his badass bionic arm, diabetes technology, and message of “creating your world without limits” to impact people around the world.
Instagram: instagram.com/chrisruden/
SPEAKER: Sara Mobäck
SESSION: Challenges when relapse and recovery intertwine.
Sara Mobäck has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 23 years, giving her a deep, personal insight into the daily challenges of managing this condition. Her journey has included overcoming an eating disorder, which shaped her understanding of the critical intersection between diabetes and mental health. Now, she uses her experiences to speak openly about these challenges, aiming to break stigmas and provide support to others facing similar struggles. By sharing her story, she hopes to empower others to prioritize their mental health and find strength in their journeys. “My mission is to foster understanding, resilience, and community for those navigating life with diabetes and its related challenges.”
Instagram: instagram.com/saramoback/
Email: [email protected]
facebook.com/saramoback
SESSION: Challenges when relapse and recovery intertwine.
Sara Mobäck has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 23 years, giving her a deep, personal insight into the daily challenges of managing this condition. Her journey has included overcoming an eating disorder, which shaped her understanding of the critical intersection between diabetes and mental health. Now, she uses her experiences to speak openly about these challenges, aiming to break stigmas and provide support to others facing similar struggles. By sharing her story, she hopes to empower others to prioritize their mental health and find strength in their journeys. “My mission is to foster understanding, resilience, and community for those navigating life with diabetes and its related challenges.”
Instagram: instagram.com/saramoback/
Email: [email protected]
facebook.com/saramoback
SPEAKER: Katia Kozachok
SESSION: Dismantling Diabetes Hierarchies
Katia Kozachok currently works in the social services field as a caseworker at a nursing home and has worked in the mental health field for several years prior. Through obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in public health from the University of Minnesota, she developed interests in research and human services, shaping her career thus far. Her diabetes diagnosis in May of 2017, while challenging, has provided her a source of community and advocacy and accordingly, in the future, she hopes to earn a MSW and become a CDCES.
SESSION: Dismantling Diabetes Hierarchies
Katia Kozachok currently works in the social services field as a caseworker at a nursing home and has worked in the mental health field for several years prior. Through obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in public health from the University of Minnesota, she developed interests in research and human services, shaping her career thus far. Her diabetes diagnosis in May of 2017, while challenging, has provided her a source of community and advocacy and accordingly, in the future, she hopes to earn a MSW and become a CDCES.