Fifth Annual World Diabetes Day Luncheon Luncheon & Expo - November 15, 2011

Dallas, TX, August 31, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Who and What: The American Diabetes Association, World Diabetes Day Symposium, Expo & Luncheon

When and Where: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Texas. Event information and Ticket Sales: Roxann Pishnick at rpishnick@diabetes.org

Media Contact: Roxann Pishnick at 972-392-1181 ext. 6095 or rpishnick@diabetes.org

The North Texas American Diabetes Association is pleased to announce the Speaker and Award Winners for its Fifth annual World Diabetes Day Luncheon to be held, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas.

Speaker for this year’s Luncheon will be Dr. M. Sue Kirkman, Acting Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Kirkman provides oversight for the Association’s research grant program, certification programs, clinical guidelines, professional education programs, and general information resources. Dr. Kirkman was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Indiana University. In this position she was an active clinician and medical educator who directed the fellowship training program in Endocrinology and Metabolism. She was also a clinical researcher in the field of prevention of diabetes and its complications and the improvement of the quality of diabetes care, as well as an active physician volunteer with the American Diabetes Association, including membership on its national Board of Directors and its Professional Practice and Education Program Recognition Committees. Dr. Kirkman also served as a member of the editorial board of Diabetes Care and Editor-in-Chief of the ADA’s consumer periodical, Diabetes Forecast. Dr. Kirkman will be discussing the “State of Diabetes” as it relates to the Business and Health Care public.

2011 Award Winners are Announced: Winners of the 2011 J. Dennis McGarry Awards and the Sylvia and Gary Luskey Volunteer of the Year Awards are given annually to Corporations and Individuals that support the association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

The McGarry Awards are in honor of Dr. J. Denis McGarry, a professor of internal medicine and biochemistry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas who, over the past 30 years, has contributed incredible findings in the areas of diabetes research. McGarry died in 2002. The J. Denis McGarry Award is presented yearly to one individual or company in recognition of excellence in community service towards the betterment of health for all individuals or outstanding service in the medical/research community towards the understanding, treatment or prevention of diabetes.

This year’s Award Winners are:
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, J. Denis McGarry: Outstanding Healthcare Professional / Community Advocate. Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP serves as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). Prior to joining Blue Cross and Blue Shield, he was Director of the Institute for Health Policy at The University of Texas (UT) School of Public Health. From 2001 to 2006, he served as Texas’ state health officer. He was Commissioner of the Texas Department of Health from 2001-2004 and the Texas Department of State Health Services from 2004-2006. As Commissioner of Health in Texas, he developed an interest in childhood obesity as a public health issue.

While at BCBS of TX Dr. Sanchez has been instrumental in shaping the plan’s programs and initiatives around diabetes and improving care; including initiating a quality initiative which pays physicians for becoming recognized in diabetes care. This has led to hundreds of physicians across the state to seek accreditation for providing good diabetes care.

The J. Denis McGarry: Outstanding Corporate Partner Award will be given to Sharyl & John Weber, Weber Company. Sharyl & John Weber have been long standing supporters of many of the American Diabetes Association’s fundraising efforts. Both John and Sharyl have been passionate about the need to find a cure for this debilitating disease. They have definitely shown their passion and commitment to the ADA thru their commitment to the Stars of Texas … Racing Against the Odds event. The Webers are also involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and have been active in both organizations for many years.

The Sylvia and Gary Luskey Volunteer of the Year Awards Sylvia and Gary Luskey were both long time committed volunteers of the American Diabetes Association. They were instrumental in the creation of the “Bustin Diabetes Rodeo” that was a mainstay in the Fort Worth community for over 10 years. Their dedication and personal efforts led to creation of the Volunteer of the Year Award which is given annually to individuals who exemplify their commitment to finding a cure for diabetes.

This year’s honorees for the Sylvia & Gary Luskey Volunteer of the Year Award are Cathy and Bob Zollars. Bob and Cathy Zollars have been long standing supporters of many of the American Diabetes Associations Fundraising efforts. Bob Zollars has been a member of their Board of Directors since 2000. He also Chaired the Board from 2001 - 2003 and still sits on the Advisory Committee. Huitt Zollars, their company, has been a long standing supporter of many of the American Diabetes Associations Fundraising efforts. Their personal commitment to the Stars of Texas … Racing Against the Odds event has helped raise over $4 million dollars over the past 14 years. Both Cathy and Bob have made finding a cure for diabetes one of their passions.

The event is held every year around World Diabetes Day in celebration of American Diabetes Month in November by the American Diabetes Association and DFW Business Group on Health.

For ticket and sponsorship information contact: Roxann K. Pishnick at rpishnick@diabetes.org or 972-392-1181 ext.6095.

###