VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Desmond Schatz

Real Stories About Real People

A Good Doctor is a Lifetime Teacher   

 
Desmond Schatz, MD, is Professor and Associate Chairman of Pediatrics as well as Medical Director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida.  He got involved in type 1 diabetes research in the mid-1980s, around the same time he heard about the American Diabetes Association, which he says is “synonymous with diabetes.”

Schatz’s studies primarily focus on the prediction, natural history, genetics, immunopathogenesis and prevention of type 1 diabetes as well as the management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.  Some of that research has been funded by several grants from ADA, as well as grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Schatz earned his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.  He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology.  He started his fellowship at the University of Florida in 1986.  In the early 1990s, he volunteered with ADA in different capacities:  He was Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee, served on the Applications Policy, Advocacy, Youth Advisory and Scientific Sessions Committees and was also a Board member.

Schatz is inspired by ADA’s commitment to improving the lives of all people with diabetes. He remarked, “I’m only one piece of the puzzle.  Each piece is very vital to the entire mission.  Every little bit helps.”  His passion is taking care of children with diabetes and he realizes that it takes a tremendous commitment.  His goal is to make their life easier and to prevent diabetes.

Linda Cann, ADA’s Managing Director of Professional Education, commented, “Des is a leader in diabetes research in the area of immunology and type 1 diabetes.  In addition to being a member of ADA, he is actively involved with the Immunology of Diabetes Society and served as Chair of the Planning Committee of the 9th International Congress of the Immunology of Diabetes Society and American Diabetes Research Symposium which was held in Miami in November 2007.  One of his passions is serving as a mentor to young scientists.”

What he has learned from volunteering is that there are a lot of committed individuals in this world who have a common vision which is ADA’s mission:  To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Send feedback to volunteerupdates@diabetes.org.