Durham, NC (PRWEB) November 10, 2014
DiabetesSisters is pleased to announce the addition of two highly esteemed individuals to their Board of Directors. As Board Members for DiabetesSisters, their roles and responsibilities include: setting DiabetesSisters-related policy, fundraising and financial oversight of the organization, and community representation. Mr. Swearingen and Ms. Thomas join currently existing board members, Vicki Norris, David Warren, Diana Karczmarczyk, Wanda Nicholson, MD, and board member emeritus, John Buse, MD, PhD.
Both Mr. Swearingen and Ms. Thomas bring a great deal of professional experience and insight that will be invaluable to continued growth and sustainability of DiabetesSisters as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Mike Swearingen is well known and highly respected in the healthcare industry, with 27 years of experience working with pharmaceutical giants, Eli Lilly & Company and Johnson & Johnson. While there, he held roles in pharmaceutical sales representation, professional relations and advocacy. Swearingen has considerable knowledge with the non-profit world as well, serving as the Executive Director of the non-profit Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation, where he led the development of the strategic business plan that launched the organization. Swearingen was vital in NPHF’s success, helping to improve the quality of care of patients through focus on nurse practitioner education, research, service, and health policy. In addition to his professional experience, Mike Swearingen has served on the national foundation boards for the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants; and is currently a Trustee of the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation, and a board member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators Research and Education Foundation.
Andrea Thomas currently serves as Executive Vice President for the United Planning Organization (UPO) in Washington, DC, overseeing the Communications, Development, Technology, Advocacy, and Volunteerism Divisions. Her work supports the mission of the organization, maintains the organization’s growth and impact, and helps to integrate the business information within UPO. While Thomas’s work with UPO has enabled change within the organization and assisted disadvantaged youths, she is also enthusiastic about representing underserved populations outside of her professional life. She has worked with low-income youth through her service with community organizations including the Consortium of Universities, District of Columbia Community Prevention Partnership, and the Institute for Higher Education Policy. Thomas is also committed to helping the lives of women living with diabetes, as she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2008.
“We are delighted to be able to continue increase the membership of our Board of Directors with such incredible individuals from communities around the United States. This will, indeed, have a significant impact on the number of women with diabetes we are able to reach and serve annually. I look forward to seeing the organization soar in 2015!” said Brandy Barnes, MSW, Chief Executive Officer of DiabetesSisters.
About DiabetesSisters:
A 510c3 nonprofit, DiabetesSisters is the only organization worldwide focusing exclusively on women with diabetes. Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women with diabetes and those at risk of developing diabetes, and to advocate on their behalf. DiabetesSisters has a 10,000-member peer network that unites women with diabetes for the purpose of support, education and advocacy. Signature programs include monthly small group meetings (PODS Meetups); DiabetesSisters’ Conferences throughout the U.S.; and the Life Class Webinar Series and online blogs, forums, and expert resources. For more information, visit http://www.diabetessisters.org.