ADA Scholars 2025 | On-Demand-ADA Scholars 2025

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The ADA Scholars Program provided an in-depth, multifaceted overview for early career endocrinologists and diabetes researchers, focusing on research, clinical practice, and professional development. Opening remarks emphasized networking, career guidance, mentorship, and advocacy with insights from leaders such as Dr. Brittany Bruggeman, who discussed diabetes research and policy advocacy. Interactive sessions included audience polling on career roles and expectations in the diabetes field.<br /><br />A substantive lecture on health care access inequities highlighted social determinants of health affecting diabetes outcomes globally, with a focus on multi-level, stakeholder-driven interventions like Project ECHO Diabetes, enhancing care in underserved communities via PCP education and peer support.<br /><br />A panel on career pathways featured diverse academic and clinical trajectories, emphasizing the importance of narrowing focus, embracing change, and balancing clinical, research, education, and administrative roles. Speakers underscored strategic “yes” and “no” decision-making for opportunities, work-life balance, and the role of mentorship.<br /><br />Mentorship discussions differentiated mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship, advocating for diversified mentoring teams tailored to career facets. Role-playing exercises illustrated effective and ineffective mentoring behaviors and networking strategies.<br /><br />The research funding session detailed opportunities from Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes, Helmsley Charitable Trust, the American Diabetes Association, and NIH, emphasizing the need for diversified funding sources amid federal constraints. Speakers encouraged early communication with funders, alignment with strategic priorities, persistence through reapplications, and leveraging mentorship.<br /><br />The session on resume building and contract negotiation highlighted principled negotiation strategies, including understanding institutional needs, framing requests around mutual benefit, recognizing personal value, and setting clear goals. Data on endocrinology workforce distribution and salaries were reviewed, informing negotiation approaches, especially for early career faculty.<br /><br />The final presentation by ADA's Chief Quality Officer focused on embedding quality improvement in diabetes care to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. Emphasizing collaborative learning health systems, standardized guidelines implementation, and addressing disparities, the talk called for clinicians and researchers to drive systemic improvements in outcomes and equity.<br /><br />Overall, the program combined career development, advocacy, research funding guidance, and quality improvement strategies to equip emerging diabetes professionals with tools to advance their careers and impact diabetes care.

Keywords

ADA Scholars Program

early career endocrinologists

diabetes researchers

career development

mentorship

networking

health care access inequities

social determinants of health

Project ECHO Diabetes

career pathways

research funding

principled negotiation

quality improvement

collaborative learning health systems

diabetes care equity