Johnson will be joined by several USF Health clinicians with diabetes expertise

USF Health diabetes expertise will be front and center at the Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference & Health Fair this Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Tampa Convention Center.

Featured speaker Nicole Johnson, MPH, executive director of Bringing Science Home at USF Health, will speak on the topic “Living Well with Diabetes. Johnson, Miss America 1999, works to promote awareness, prevention and early detection of diabetes – a condition she has lived with since 1993. 

Johnson and Denise Edwards, MD, director of the USF Healthy Weight Clinic, are among the conference’s co-directors. 

USF Health’s Nicole Johnson and Dr. Denise Edwards are among
the conference co-directors.

Dr. Edwards, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics, will speak about medical and surgical treatment options for obesity. 

Anthony Morrison, MD, USF professor of medicine, will address customizing insulin regimens for those with Type 2 diabetes.

In addition, leading interactive ask-the-expert sessions will be Sheryl Merkin, ARNP, CDE, USF Diabetes Center (Ask a Diabetes Educator); Jane Norman, RD, CDE, USF Diabetes Center (Ask a Dietitian); and Kevin Sneed, PharmD, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy (Ask a .   The group Students With Diabetes from Bringing Science Home will offer information about online resources for living well with diabetes.

Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) is a diabetes education organization that has conducted inspirational and educational diabetes conferences and health fairs for nearly 17 years. In addition to cutting-edge lectures and seminars, the conference will feature a health fair with 30 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related organizations and companies showcasing state-of-the-art technologies.  A banquet-style lunch and healthy snacks will be provided.

Bringing Science Home, led by Johnson, aims to help people with chronic diseases live fuller and more optimistic lives. The USF project has started by studying the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes and helping young people with the transition of caring for their diabetes more independently.

For more information about the conference, including a full list of speakers and sessions, please visit http://tcoyd.org/national-conferences/tampa-2011.html or call 800-998-2693.