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Nicole Johnson, Former Miss America, Honored with American Diabetes Association’s Distinguished Service Achievement Award
Alexandria, VA December 5, 2008
Nicole Johnson Presented with Charles H. Best Medal for Distinguished Service in the Cause of Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association, the nation's largest and leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, announced today that Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999, and an international diabetes advocate, received the Association's prestigious Charles H. Best Medal for Distinguished Service in the Cause of Diabetes at the organization's Community Volunteer Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting on November 23 in Tampa, FL.
The Charles H. Best Medal for Distinguished Service in the Cause of Diabetes is named for Dr. Charles H. Best, the co-discoverer of insulin. The award honors distinguished services in the field of diabetes, including both scientific and nonscientific endeavors.
"On behalf of the American Diabetes Association, we are honored to present this prestigious award to Nicole Johnson for her efforts to raise awareness about diabetes and its deadly complications," commented R. Stewart Perry, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. “Johnson is not only an advocate for herself as a patient with type 1 diabetes, she passionately stands with nearly 24 million other Americans and communities around the world in their fight against the disease. By sharing her story she inspires others to do the same."
In 1993, Johnson was diagnosed with diabetes and for the past fifteen years she has dedicated her professional pursuits to fighting the disease. Following her services as Miss America 1999, Johnson went on to work as a government and corporate consultant for patient groups and health care companies and she promotes prevention, wellness and early detection. In addition, she is the Telly Award winning host of "dLifeTV," a weekly diabetes talk show on CNBC, writes monthly columns for a host of diabetes print and web publications and is also the author of four books including her autobiography, "Living with Diabetes."
She serves on numerous advisory boards including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Public Representatives and she is a past national board member for the American Diabetes Association.
Johnson holds Masters degrees in both Journalism and Public Health and she currently lives in Seminole, FL with her two year old daughter, Ava Grace.
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body's ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate with nearly 24 million children and adults living with this disease and another 57 million Americans at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
