Diabetes Media Spokespeople

ADCES Spokespeople

Sourcing News From Our Diabetes Spokespeople

As a representative of the media, it’s important to have accurate, up-to-date information. That’s why we’ve selected a group of diabetes care and education specialists to be ADCES^® spokespeople and act as sources for your stories on prediabetes, diabetes and related cardiometabolic conditions.

Our diabetes spokespeople represent our commitment to public education, through the media, about the important role diabetes care and education specialists play in the healthcare system.

Media Contact

To find out more about our diabetes media spokespeople below or to schedule an interview, contact ADCES Media Relations at 800-338-3633 or [email protected].

For more information, read all About Us.

Meet Our Diabetes Media Spokespeople

Janice Baker, MBA, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, BC-ADM

Baker, an alumna of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, completed her post-graduate dietetic internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and her master’s degree in business administration while working toward additional certifications in diabetes management and nutrition support. She began practicing in 1983 as a clinical/acute care dietitian and assistant manager of nutrition services at Palomar Hospital in Poway, California, before joining Arch Medical Group in 1994 to provide nutrition and disease management services. She has worked with Alsana, Montecatini and Mandometer Clinics for eating disorder treatment, and home health, orthopedic and other preoperative surgery education for Palomar Health in Poway and Escondido. Baker currently has her own private practice and volunteers with Taking Control of Your Diabetes and other organizations to promote diabetes prevention, education and management. Baker has also worked with public schools and universities to educate students and faculty on health and nutrition issues.

Kristine Batty, PhD, 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 Community of Interest (COI).

Nicole Bereolos, PhD, MPH, MSCP, CDCES, FADCES

Bereolos is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified diabetes care and education specialist with a private practice in North Texas. She works with people living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, MS, chronic pain, obesity and more as well as conducting pre-surgical evaluations. She has been featured in Diabetes Forecast, WebMD, DocRadio, Oprah Magazine, Healthline and others. She also frequently speaks on topics related to the psychosocial aspects of chronic conditions. From 2018-2021, she served on the Board of ADCES and became a fellow of that organization in 2021. In 2023, she won the Texas DCES of the Year Award. Bereolos earned her PhD in clinical health psychology/behavioral medicine and an MPH with a focus in health behavior. In 2019, she earned a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology. She also obtained a certificate in culinary arts in 2013.

Janelle Eligon-Ketchum, RDN, CDCES, LDN

Eligon-Ketchum is a registered dietitian nutritionist as well as a certified diabetes care and education specialist. She is also the founder and CEA of Nutrition Unlimited, an organization created to extend nutrition and diabetes education as tools in providing overall lifestyle management to a broad spectrum of individuals throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Mara Fiorio, MS, RD, BC-ADM, CDCES

Mara Fiorio is a registered dietitian with over seven years of experience, specializing in diabetes care and education for nearly five years. She holds a board certification in advanced diabetes management and currently serves as a Senior Health Educator at Molina Healthcare. In her current role, Mara spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive diabetes program across Virginia. Notably, she led a successful pilot produce prescription program to address food insecurity, earning her a nomination for the Multiplying Good National Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Employee. Beyond her professional commitments, Mara actively volunteers with the Virginia Coordinating Body where she serves on the board as chair of both the state meeting and disaster preparedness committees.

Paras Goel, PT, DPT, MBA, MEd, GCS, CEEAA, CSRS, DNHE, DipACLM, FAIS

Dr. Paras Goel is an accomplished health care professional with over 15 years of experience. He is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a Fellow of the American Institute of Stress. He also holds a postgraduate certificate in Diabetes Education from the International Diabetes Federation. Dr. Goel is a passionate advocate for diabetes education, empowering patients through exercise science and lifestyle management. He has actively contributed to the physical therapy community, spearheading numerous interprofessional collaborative programs. His expertise is recognized widely, and he serves as an invited peer reviewer for several intra- and interprofessional journals.

Sarah Hormachea, MS, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM

Hormachea is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist living and working in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Her career spans more than 10 years in community care, specialty endocrinology, and diabetes contract and consulting. She is incredibly passionate about nutrition as a tool for disease management and prevention. Hormachea takes pride in her practical approach to communicating health topics. She loves to delve into the “why” just as much as the “what.” As a child of immigrants, she has a special interest in traditional food and foodways as a tool for health and well-being.

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, 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 and 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.

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, and primary care and diabetes education. She is currently the associate professor and vice chair of pharmacy practice department at the 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.

Terry Ann Scott, PhD

Dr. Terry Ann Scott is the CEO and Director of TAT Health Solutions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to chronic disease prevention and weight loss through comprehensive online programs. Having a doctorate in social work with an emphasis in Public Health from the University of Southern California, Dr. Scott has over 25 years of experience as a health coach and trainer. She has worked with organizations such as the YMCA across the United States, helping individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their health. Dr. Scott is an expert in diabetes prevention and blood pressure management, leading TAT Health Solutions' programs like the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and the High Blood Pressure Program.

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, 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, 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, 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 a 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.

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.

Melliza C. Young, MD, MSGH, CDCES, CHCQM, FABQAURP

Young is a foreign medical graduate from the Philippines with a Master of Science in global health. She previously worked for private health insurance companies in Guam and now serves as manager of outpatient specialty services for Guam Regional Medical City. 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 U.S.-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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