About Us

We are the Virginia Diabetes Council

Founded in 1999, the Virginia Diabetes Council is a 501(c) 3 non-profit based in Richmond, Virginia. Our dedicated team of diligent educators, clinicians, health providers, and volunteers possess a shared passion to help those affected by diabetes through providing valuable resources, quality care, and endless support. Together, we strive to find better ways to collaborate, educate, treat, and fund positive outcomes — making us your one-stop resource to living a better life with diabetes.

Leadership

The VDC has an Executive Director who supports the Board (Chair, Chair-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Past Chair, At-large members) and is responsible for fundraising, community and public relations, human resource and financial management, and daily operations of the Council. The board, which leads and oversees the focus groups, collaborate with each other to address the needs of the state, including the implementation of diabetes prevention programs and increasing capacity of education programs.

Evan Sisson

Board Chair

Mary Albert

Past Chair

Marc Bailey

Chair Elect

Facts

Diabetes affects more than 114 million people and accounts for the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. There are many shocking statistics surrounding the disease, including:

  • In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight and obese. (CDC)
  • Over 9% of the U.S. population has diabetes, about 30 million people. Over a third of the population has prediabetes, a reversible condition, and 90% of them don’t know they have it. (CDC)
  • Perhaps most alarming is that 20% of teens in the U.S. have prediabetes, and 25% between the ages of 19-34 have prediabetes, most of this caused by an over-rich lifestyle short on exercise. Male teens and young adults are far more likely to have prediabetes than females. (HealthDay Reporter 12.2.19)
  • The high incidence of prediabetes in the younger population is a more aggressive type of diabetes that does not respond well to lifestyle changes as it does in elderly patients. (HealthDay Reporter)
  • Diabetes treatment in the U.S. costs $327 billion a year, of that, $90 billion is spent in decreased work productivity. Medical costs for patients with diabetes are twice as high as for people who don’t have diabetes. (CDC)
  • Diabetes deaths each year are over 69,000, more than breast cancer and HIV combined. (ADA)
  • Richmond, Virginia, ranks seventh on the list of top cities with the greatest disparity in adult diabetes, meaning there is a higher burden of illness, injury, disability or mortality experienced by one group relative to another. (The Global Rise in Diabetes, Managed Healthcare Executive)
  • Worldwide, 463 million people have diabetes. That statistic is anticipated to increase to 578 million by 2030, presenting a challenge of enormous proportions in treatment and management. (International Diabetes Foundation)

Our Mission

Raise Awareness. Build Collaboration. Promote Excellence in Education and Treatment.

Our Vision

To become Virginia’s leading collaborative voice for diabetes awareness, education, and treatment.t.

Our Accomplishments

  • 1999: Passage of legislation requiring insurance reimbursement for diabetes education and supplies.
  • 2009: Recruited and hired our first Executive Director.
  • 2010: Received CDC’s Frankie Award for the development of a standardized diabetes action plan for emergency diabetes management in schools. Assisted Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation with Virginia Diabetes Network (DIN) by developing guidelines and standards for content. Updated the Diabetes Medical Management Form to be used in schools across Virginia.
  • 2011: Hosted various best practice summits throughout Virginia. Partnered with Virginia Cooperative Extension to provide the Balanced Living with Diabetes program in the Tidewater area.
  • 2012: Assisted with the implementation of Diabetes Local, a searchable database of diabetes resources available in all areas of the state.
  • 2014: Published “Recommendations for Community-Based Screening for Prediabetes and Diabetes” in AADE White Paper, a publication with the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
  • 2016: Hired our second Executive Director.
  • 2017: Received funding from the Virginia Department of Health to implement a Diabetes Prevention Strategic Plan and increase the capacity of diabetes education programs.
  • 2017-2018: Established an updated Virginia Diabetes Council Strategic Plan.
  • 2019: Developed a strategic plan for the Virginia Diabetes Council; awarded mini-grants to Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP); and expanded board and committee membership.
  • 2020: Awarded Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) mini-grants; organized 5 DSMES regional meetings; and planned a Leadership Summit to take place in June 2020 in Emporia, Virginia.

Scope of Work

In 2018-2019, Virginia Diabetes Council formed workgroups to support Diabetes Prevention (DPP), Self-Management Education (DSME) programs, diabetes in schools, and advocacy. We also supported diabetes messaging, data and resource sharing throughout Virginia. Overall, it was a highly productive year with a huge focus on collaboration, recruitment, and education.

2019 Survey Data

View the results from the 2019 Diabetes Market Research Study on the awareness and participation of Virginia statewide diabetes prevention and self management programs.

Bylaws

Please click here to view Virginia Diabetes Council’s bylaws.

Annual Report

Please view the VDC Annual Report 2018 – 2019.