2014 Weekend for Women Conference Agenda - Washington, DC

2014 Weekend for Women Conference Agenda - Washington, DC

Friday, April 25 2014

1:30-9:00pm - Registration and Attendee Check-In

2:00-3:30pm - Optional Education Session

  • Couples' Session, moderated by Diana Naranjo, PhD, and Rhonda Merwin, PhD - This session is designed for significant others and those with diabetes to come together as a couple. We will explore the common pitfalls and traps around communicating effectively and how best to support your partner with diabetes. We will discuss communication styles or problems surrounding diabetes or its management. Participants will have the opportunity to share difficulties that arise in their partnerships, and will learn skills to navigate these situations effectively. The session will conclude with role plays that allow participants to practice difficult conversations. 
  • Diabetes Organizing: Declutter Your Life, Speaker Susan Weiner, RD, MS, CDE CDN - Life with diabetes can be overwhelming and often difficult to organize.  Whether you are at work, home or school, diabetes care and management should be properly addressed.  This session will focus on how to organize your busy schedule, so you can optimize your time and improve your diabetes management. We will explore strategies to help you organize your goals, diabetes supplies, daily routine, travel, medical paperwork and kitchen. This session will help you improve your organizational skills and outline specific ways to manage your busy schedule to help you properly manage your diabetes care. Whether you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or are experiencing diabetes burnout, this session is for you!  

4:00-5:30pm- Optional Education Session

  • Connecting with the Diabetes Online Community Through Blogging and Social Media, Speakers Cherise Shockley and Kerri Sparling - You are not alone, and there are thousands of people who are touched by diabetes and sharing their stories online to prove it.  Join Founder of Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (DSMA) Cherise Shockley and creator of SixUntilMe.com's Kerri Sparling for an in-depth discussion about how peer-to-peer connections, advocacy efforts, and friendships are being forged in the diabetes online community.  Come in with questions and leave informed and empowered to engage in this exciting, dynamic support space!  
  • Belly Dancing: Energize Your Body, Mind and Spirit, led by Connie Hanham-Cain, RN, BSN, CDE - This session will give you an experience of moving your body with some of the beautiful sensuous movements of belly dance, starting with a full body warm-up to gently loosen the joints and align your energy. Then you will learn some basic belly dance movements using the entire body from the tips of your toes to the top of your head, including your shoulders, arms, hands, torso, hips, legs and feet. By the end of the session you will feel radiant, relaxed, and fully energized. All ages and fitness levels are welcome to participate. Movements are graceful and fluid, and can be done standing or seated in a chair. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move in.      

5:30-6:30pm - Meet and Mingle 
Enjoy light refreshments in the hotel Atrium as you reconnect with old friends and create new friendships. 

6:30pm-7:45pm - Getting To Know You
We'll continue to get  to know one another with interactive games designed to make us laugh and learn more about diabetes affects our lives. 

8:00-9:00pm - DiabetesSisters' Social Media Meetup featuring DSMA Live 
Kick off your Conference experience night with a DiabetesSisters' Social Media Meetup featuring DSMA Live. Join us for a fun hour that mixes in-person networking and social media, bringing together people affected by diabetes to learn from each other and be a voice for the diabetes community. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  

Saturday, April 26, 2014

7:00am-8:00am - Optional Exercise 

  • Beginner's Body Workout, Led by Ginger Vieira, Diabetes Coach - This beginner's level workout will focus on exercise you can do without any equipment -- including a few you've probably never done before! Best part about it? It's anaerobic, which means it'll burn more body fat than glucose for fuel! The workout will be done at a nice and simple pace -- not a crazily intense bootcamp style -- giving you time to learn about the proper form and benefits of each exercise...while also catching your breath now and then!
  • Tai Chi, Led by Judith Jones Ambrosini - T'ai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art as well as an integral part of Chinese Medicne.  It comes in many forms and codas.  We will concentrate on body awareness, qi gong breathing techniques and some basic poses from the Yang style form of Tai Chi that stimulate circulation and aid in stress management.  
  • Low Impact orange: will Walk through Old Town Alexandria, Attendee Led - Join your Sisters at the front steps of Embassy Suites for a low impact walk through historic Alexandria. This is a participant led session and a perfect way to get to know your fellow Sisters.

9:00am-9:15am - Welcome and Introduction by DiabetesSisters' Founder, Brandy Barnes, MSW

9:30am-10:45am - Education Session 

  • Diabetes from Head to Toe, Speaker Natalie Strand, MD - As women living with diabetes, we need to know how it affects us from head to toe! This session will go over some common ways diabetes affects our bodies, like our heart health, AND uncommon ways it affects our bodies, like our joint health and skin health. Knowledge is power, and this session aims arming the audience with the essential tools to keep our bodies healthy from head to toe! 
  • The FDA: How the Agency Works to Approve Drugs and Medical Devices, Speaker Helene Clayton-Jeter, OD - Have you ever wondered what the FDA does to approve the medications and devices used by so many? This session will provide an Agency overview, including the total medical product life cycle of medicines and devices, an office overview detailing the agency role of the Office of Health and Constituent Affairs,  highlights of the importance of the patient voice in regulatory decision making and how to best interact with the agency. Attendees will learn more about the FDA and the role played in the lives of all citizens, and find out when, how and why patient voices are essential to the regulatory procress. 
  • Diabetes Organizing: Declutter Your Life, Speaker Susan Weiner, RD, MS, CDE, CDN  - Life with diabetes can be overwhelming and often difficult to organize.  Whether you are at work, home or school, diabetes care and management should be properly addressed.  This session will focus on how to organize your busy schedule, so you can optimize your time and improve your diabetes management. We will explore strategies to help you organize your goals, diabetes supplies, daily routine, travel, medical paperwork and kitchen. This session will help you improve your organizational skills and outline specific ways to manage your busy schedule to help you properly manage your diabetes care. Whether you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or are experiencing diabetes burnout, this session is for you!   

11:00am-12:15pm - Education Session 

  • Exercise and Diabetes: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Your Blood Sugars!, Speakers Natalie Strand, MD, and Ginger Vieira, Diabetes Coach - Balancing your blood sugars during exercise can feel impossible and frustrating, but developing a basic understanding of what your body is doing during exercise can make all the difference. In this session, learn why certain types of exercise makes your blood sugar rise while other types makes it drop, and how to prepare for either so you can enjoy your workout!  
  • Body Wars: How Diabetes Affects Eating and Body Image, Panel Discussion with Erin Akers, Asha Brown, Diana Naranjo, PhD, Rhonda Merwin, PhD, and Lorraine Platka-Bird, PhD, RD - Women: it's time to bring up one of the most private issues about diabetes and women. Please join this excellent team of panelists as they discuss their real-life stories with diabetes and eating disorders. This open forum session encourages your participation, so please bring questions. 
  • Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy, Speaker Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE - Having Type 1 diabetes poses certain risks and challenges to a successful pregnancy. But it is very much "doable." This program focuses on strategies for improving pregnancy outcomes, from pre-pregnancy planning to postpartum adjustments. Special attention will be given to glucose managment through all phases of pregnancy

12:15pm-1:30pm Lunch and Socializing

1:30pm-2:45pm - Education Session 
General Session: "Oh, you have diabetes? Is it the 'bad' kind?": Erasing Diabetes Misconceptions Led by Rhonda merwin, PhD, Diana Naranjo, PhD, and Kerri Sparling - We're taking this session to a place we've never been before - let's break down the walls of what diabetes is, how it's perceived by the public, and how we, as women with various types diabetes, perceive it - and eachother. Our skilled moderators openly acknowledge and explore the diabetes myths, stereotypes and misconceptions that have existed for years. Attendees are encouraged to share their personal experiences and will walk away with the tools to better address diabetes misconceptions and a higher respect for one another. 

3:00pm-4:15pm - Education Session 

  • Making Use of Glycemic Index, Speaker Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE - Although carbohydrates are known to have a significant impact on blood glucose, not all carbohydrates are created equally. This session explores the quality of different types of carbohydrates, with an emphasis on the speed with which different foods affect blood glucose. Applications for using glycemic index include sports performance, treating hypoglycemia, minimizing postmeal glucose spikes, and weight control. 
  • Traveling with Diabetes: Around Town or Around the World, Speaker Claudia Graham, MPH, PhD - This is a fun and interactive session touching on all aspects of traveling with diabetes. Traveling with diabetes is not always easy, but there are many things you can do to be prepared to have the best and safest time possible.  We will tackle unique tips for travelling around the world, having adventures in exotic locations, or just preparing for a short family vacation.  We will cover helpful hints for storing medications, getting thru airport security, having back up supplies, finding a doctor out of town and planning for emergencies.  When you know what to expect, you can prepare for success. At the end of this session, participants will know how to plan for any type of trip or extended journey. We will share stories and discover new information -increased confidence and empowerment will be the result.   
  • Exercise and Diabetes: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Your Blood Sugars!, Speakers Natalie Strand, MD, and Ginger Vieira, Diabetes Coach - Balancing your blood sugars during exercise can feel impossible and frustrating, but developing a basic understanding of what your body is doing during exercise can make all the difference. In this session, learn why certain types of exercise makes your blood sugar rise while other types makes it drop, and how to prepare for either so you can enjoy your workout!  

6:15pm-9:30pm Dinner and Keynote Presentation, Women: Be the CEO of Your Life by Claudia Graham, MPH, PhD, (Education Session) and Awards Ceremony, followed by dancing and socializing
Claudia Graham has lived and thrived with diabetes for over 35 years. As Vice President of Global Access for Dexcom, she is responsible for strategic reimbursement health economics government relations and advocacy. She is focused on improving access to CGMs for patients and physicians both domestically and internationally. Please join in celebrating Claudia as she receives the 2014 DiabetesSisters’ Inspiration Award.  

Sunday, April 27, 2014

7:00am-8:00am - Optional Exercise 

  • Beginner's Body Workout, Led by Ginger Vieira, Diabetes Coach - This beginner's level workout will focus on exercise you can do without any equipment -- including a few you've probably never done before! Best part about it? It's anaerobic, which means it'll burn more body fat than glucose for fuel! The workout will be done at a nice and simple pace -- not a crazily intense bootcamp style -- giving you time to learn about the proper form and benefits of each exercise...while also catching your breath now and then!
  • Low Impact orange: will Walk through Old Town Alexandria, Attendee Led - Join your Sisters at the front steps of Embassy Suites for a low impact walk through historic Alexandria. This is a participant led session and a perfect way to get to know your fellow Sisters.

8:30am-9:30am - PODS Leader Information Session, Led by Anna Norton, MS - Are you interested in bringing back DiabetesSisters to your hometown? This hour-long workshop will cover the basics for getting a PODS Meetup group started in your city, including recruiting women to join, marketing techniques, and best practices.  

9:45am-10:45am - Education Session 

  • Diabetes & Heart Disease: Five Things You Need to Know, Speaker Lisa Clough, MS, Ed, CHES - Curious to learn more about heart disease and how diabetes plays a role? Hear from a health care provider about what you need to know about managing your risks, then listen to Eileen Williams, a heart disease survivor and woman living with diabetes. Finally, learn about WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and how it is a major resource for women living with heart disease and related chronic conditions. 
  • Diabetes & Technology, Speaker Kerri Sparling - Looking for a meter that automagically zaps your blood sugars over to your smartphone? On the hunt for the right insulin pump t that fits your specific needs? Wondering how to fit all of these new diabetes technology bits and pieces into your actual life? Join Kerri Sparling, T1D for 27 years and self-proclaimed diabetes robot for a frank, intimate discussion about how far we've come and what's on the horizon for up-and-coming technologies for managing diabetes.  Bring your questions - this session is for diabetes newbies, veterans, and caregivers alike! 
  • Traveling with Diabetes: Around Town or Around the World, Speaker Claudia Graham, MPH, PhD - This is a fun and interactive session touching on all aspects of traveling with diabetes. Traveling with diabetes is not always easy, but there are many things you can do to be prepared to have the best and safest time possible.  We will tackle unique tips for traveling around the world, having adventures in exotic locations, or just preparing for a short family vacation.  We will cover helpful hints for storing medications, getting thru airport security, having back up supplies, finding a doctor out of town and planning for emergencies.  When you know what to expect, you can prepare for success. At the end of this session, participants will know how to plan for any type of trip or extended journey. We will share stories and discover new information -increased confidence and empowerment will be the result.  

11:00am-12:15pm Education Session 
General Session: Living as a Health Wise Woman, Valerie Rochester, Black Women's Health Imperative - Sisters: close this transformational weekend learning how to take control of your health and wellness and better manage living with diabetes. This session will empower you to become more aware of the importance of emotional wellness and the role social support can play in helping the adoption and maintenance of healthier behaviors, as well as motivate you to increase self awareness and help reduce diabetes disparities in the community.   

12:15pm-12:30pm - Final Thoughts by Brandy Barnes, MSW 

Key to Understanding Session Labels
 
These sessions include information on how to best cope with the daily challenges of living with diabetes, how to communicate effectively with others about the disease, and tips for addressing your unique emotional needs. These sessions also address the social aspect of diabetes with a focus on Sisterhood and peer support.

These sessions include information on the relationship between exercise and diabetes. Some sessions may require physical activity while others will focus on the study of exercise and the effects it has on diabetes management.


These sessions include information on the relationship between diabetes and other areas of your body such as heart, vision and feet. Other sessions include pregnancy, healthy eating and glycemic index.

These sessions include information on the latest tools, tips, and tricks to manage diabetes and stay organized.  Some sessions may also help you better understand how to use social media to reach out to others for support.

*Agenda is subject to change based on speaker schedules, hotel space availability, and other factors that are our of DiabetesSisters' control. Please check this page frequently for Agenda updates.