Diabetes Virtual Camp — Testimonials

Why our interns join

"At first, my mom told me about it, and I have attended this amazing program for two years. I hope to gain more knowledge on diabetes and science, not only what causes it, what happens in the human body, and how current scientists and healthcare professionals are treating it. I believe this program will inspire me further to pursue my goal in becoming someone involved in science or healthcare for helping people's lives."
"By using the interactive Zoom meetings, Q&A forum discussion, and follow-up assignments, I wish to advance my scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills. I also wish to join a global, diverse community of students and professionals interested in improving diabetes care and health equity."
"I’m really excited to join the Diabetes Virtual Summer Camp because I want to learn from people who’ve walked the path I hope to take, from students to medical students, researchers, and physicians working in diabetes care and research. I love hearing about what drives other people’s work, what challenges they face, and how they overcome them."
"As someone who has managed T1D since childhood, I’ve always been aware of the importance of access, education, and empathy in health care. I'm considering career paths in health education, diabetes advocacy, and medical affairs—particularly roles that let me bridge the gap between patients and policy, or research and real-life impact. Ultimately, I hope this program provides me more direction and inspiration in figuring out how I can make a meaningful impact in public health."
"I hope to gain deeper insights into the latest advancements in diabetes research and care, as well as connect with leading experts and fellow researchers who share a passion for this field. Participating in this virtual program will help me expand my knowledge, learn about emerging tools and technologies, and explore new perspectives that can strengthen my own research. I am also looking forward to engaging in discussions that can inspire future collaborations and help shape my career trajectory in diabetes research."
"I hope to walk away from my program with a strong understanding of diabetes and renewed appreciation for the available management for its different subtypes. My mother has lived with diabetes mellitus type 2 for over 20 years, and I want to ensure she’s on track with her management goals as well."
"As a medical doctor from a developing country, I want to explore international experience working as a doctor and clinical researcher. I would like to upgrade my knowledge and skills in diabetes management by learning from renowned diabetes clinicians."
"I hope to deepen my understanding of how diabetes uniquely affects children and families, and how education and community-building can improve disease management. I’m eager to learn from healthcare professionals, youth advocates, and patients themselves to better grasp the challenges of living with diabetes. I also hope to strengthen my ability to connect with children and young adults in meaningful ways, gaining communication and counseling skills that will be essential in pediatrics and primary care. This experience will help me become a more compassionate, informed, and culturally competent future physician."
"With an interest that is both professional and personal, I aim to pursue a career in biomedical research focused on diabetes and obesity-related diseases, which run in my family. Their history of diabetes, my grandfather, father, and uncles, strengthens my passion for exploring the connection between obesity and diabetes. My goal in joining the Diabetes Virtual Camp is to gain deeper knowledge of diabetes, helping me improve public health matters."
"Millions of people in my country are suffering from diabetes, which makes their lives very difficult to live. From this Internship, i hope to learn insights about Diabetes, its causes, types, and what are the remedies available for it. This will help me build a strong foundation for future research work."
"I hope to learn more about diabetes and hear from leading experts, as well as receive updates on where diabetes research currently stands. This topic is very personal to me, as my little brother has type 1 diabetes and I have a relative who died from type 2 complications, so diabetes is something that is very close to my heart and something I deeply care about."
"I learned about your program through my previous participation in the Diabetes Virtual Summer Camp 2021 and 2024. I found the experience incredibly valuable and informative, which is why I was eager to return and take part in the 2025 program as well."
"What I hope to gain from this program goes beyond just being educated, but also to be involved. I've grown up with family members and friends who have struggled with diabetes or ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and throughout my academics, I found that most people are largely unaware/uninformed about the intricacies of diabetes and nutrition, which only worsens the disease. I've also seen that diabetes is much more prominent in communities that lack the financial means to purchase food that is sustainable and have access to education that can leave them informed. I would like to help those around me understand Diabetes, how it affects the body, and ways they can manage it. I know I can help those around me by starting with educating myself. Upon completing the camp, I feel like I would be much more engaged in ways that I can give back to others and become a resource in my community."
"Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family, and I know I’m at personal risk if I don’t take care of my health. My grandfather passed away from complications related to diabetes that affected his nervous system, including a seizure. His experience made me realize how serious this condition can be and how important it is for families to be educated and supported. I believe doctors should not only treat the condition itself but also provide families with the tools and guidance they need to care for their children. Especially those with lower incomes or limited access to resources deserve education and support when it comes to managing or preventing diabetes. I want to be someone who helps make that possible."
"Diabetes has always been a major health concern in my family history. My grandparents, their siblings, and my great-grandparents had diabetes, and the list goes on. Even though diabetes has become increasingly prevalent, it seems that there isn’t enough awareness or research being done about it. When I discovered the Diabetes Virtual Camp, I pictured it to be the perfect chance to further investigate diabetes. I aspire to learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention, and everything past the central dogma."
"This virtual program is a great opportunity for me to learn directly from experts about the latest research and treatment methods for diabetes. Since my father is diabetic, I also have a personal reason to better understand this condition."
"I would love to get my certification in diabetes education and/or work for a nonprofit organization. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 14 years and have experience as an intern at JDRF and with the prevent T2 program at a rural health department."
"My interest in diabetes is also personal, my father has been living with Type 2 Diabetes, which made me more aware of the complexity of daily management and long-term care. This experience motivates me to better understand how pharmaceutical knowledge can support diabetic patients in leading healthier, more active lives. This camp is a great opportunity for me to learn more and shape my direction."
"The latest knowledge about diabetes and its complications, and how it can help me to treat my patients with better approach, keeping pace with advancing knowledge that can help to achieve a better approach towards patients, thus reducing the risk of complications and providing proper education to society."
"As the program contains many clinicians from many prestigious universities, this would be my greatest opportunity to learn a lot and to explore further opportunities for my career. I can also share my knowldege gained from this camp with my colleagues."
"As a medical student, my career interest lies in becoming a doctor who not only treats patients but also works for broader social change, especially in the areas of public health, education, and community outreach. I am passionate about using my medical knowledge to serve underserved communities and raise awareness about health and wellness. Overall, I see this program as a chance to strengthen both my medical knowledge and my ability to support patients living with chronic conditions like diabetes."
"I’m currently a medical student with a strong interest in endocrinology, and more specifically in diabetes care and research. My interest began when I followed a patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes during a hospital rotation. He had diabetic foot ulcers and early-stage nephropathy, despite being on metformin and insulin. That case made me realize how much more needs to be done in terms of early detection, patient education, and individualized treatment plans. My long-term goal is to become an endocrinologist who not only treats patients but also contributes to clinical research focused on improving therapeutic strategies and public health interventions for diabetes, especially in underserved communities."
"I work with many patients who struggle with both obesity and diabetes, and every day I see how much these two conditions are connected. I didn’t get much hands-on research experience during medical school, so I’m excited by the chance to try some research tasks through this program. I’m especially looking forward to hearing practical advice and stories from experts and other participants, not just textbook knowledge. I hope these experiences will give me new ideas to use in my clinic and also share with my patients and followers on social media. Most of all, I want to meet people from different backgrounds who care about diabetes as much as I do."
"Diabetes Virtual Camp was introduced to me through the postbaccalaureate program that I am currently a part of. Minnesota Postbaccalaureate Readiness in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes (MN PRIMED) is a program that is geared towards helping students from R2/R3 institutions increase doctoral readiness by providing meaningful and extraordinary experiences in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (DEM) by providing career development activities and coursework aimed at enhancing research and professional skills, ultimately facilitating paths to graduate program admissions (PhD, MD/PhD)."
"Because of my family's history of diabetes shaping my personal and professional aspirations, I hope to gain deeper insights into how different genetic influences and inheritable disorders would affect the likelihood of diabetes and how to prevent this. Seeing my father deal with prediabetes and watching my grandparents constantly make different lifestyle choices to manage their diabetes has made me curious about how we can take better care of ourselves and seek prevention."
"I am deeply committed to advancing both clinical care and public health, with a particular interest in internal medicine and endocrinology. I am passionate about addressing the rising burden of diabetes, especially in conflict-affected and resource-limited settings like Gaza, where healthcare disparities are widespread."
"As a pharmacist with advanced training in pharmacogenomics, personalized medicine, and bioinformatics, my career goal is to bridge clinical practice with research to develop more effective, personalized treatments, especially for chronic diseases like diabetes. I’m passionate about using data-driven approaches to understand patient variability and improve outcomes through precision medicine. I’m really excited about the chance to be part of this program because I see it as more than just an internship; it's a meaningful step toward the kind of healthcare professional I want to become."
"My mother suffers from type 1 diabetes and has been struggling with fluctuating blood sugar levels that have not been consistently managed for years. This strengthened not only my scientific curiosity, but also my empathetic approach to the effects of diabetes on the individual and the family. Through the program, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of biomedical research related to diabetes and to access information and networks that will actively contribute to this field."
"I have known about your program since 2022 through students who previously participated and shared very positive feedback. Their experiences and the program’s strong reputation encouraged me to apply."
"The last diabetes virtual camp I attended, I remember coming away from it having much more knowledge about this condition than I had ever gained before, and I felt more equipped with sharing to others the current work being done to spearhead the future of diabetes research and treatment. I sincerely enjoyed the speaker's engaging presentations, and it made me more certain of my future in medicine. I hope to accomplish the same in this program and learn new insights in the field."
"Participating in the diabetes virtual camp aligns perfectly with my aspirations. It offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field, engage with like-minded individuals, and gain insights that will enhance my clinical practice."
"As a medical student entering my clinical years, I’m passionate about pursuing a career in medicine with interests in internal medicine, endocrinology, and preventive healthcare. My goal is to contribute to improving patient care through both clinical practice and education. I hope to gain a better understanding of diabetes management from a patient’s perspective and learn practical skills to support my future medical practice."
"Through this program, I hope to become a more well-rounded physician by learning current, holistic, and patient-centered approaches to diabetes management."
"As a first-generation Latina, I’ve witnessed the challenges families face in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, often without access to adequate care or culturally appropriate health education. I seek to bridge the gap between clinical care and public health by focusing on chronic disease prevention, patient empowerment, and community-based health solutions."
"My mother was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. She is my warrior and the reason I’m able to pursue medical school. I don’t know how I could ever truly repay her, but this opportunity feels like a meaningful step. By deepening my understanding of the latest treatments, learning directly from professionals, and connecting with like-minded peers, I hope to gain the knowledge and perspective needed to better support her and future patients like her. I’m eager to participate, gain experience, and grow both personally and professionally through this program."
"I aspire to be an engineer focused on developing algorithms or medical devices, particularly for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Since devices like the CGM and insulin pump have made managing T1D much easier for me, I’m interested in further improving their features to reduce the decision-making process that having a chronic condition adds to people like me. Ever since I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 9, I have learned to manage its challenges in my daily life from injecting insulin and monitoring blood glucose levels, to balancing activities like diet and exercise. My sister attended this program a few years ago and recommended it to me, as she learned a lot about the ongoing research and biological processes involved with diabetes."
"As a dedicated medical doctor from Ethiopia, my career has been driven by a deep commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes, especially in chronic disease management like diabetes."
"From this program, I am personally excited to gain a deeper understanding of current topics in diabetes research and treatment, not only for my professional development but also because it is a significant family issue for me. I am particularly keen to learn how I can contribute to finding ways that better help my culture manage and address diabetes."
"As a final-year medical student, I am eager to deepen my understanding of diabetes, a prevalent chronic disease with significant health impacts worldwide. Participating in the diabetes virtual camp will enhance my clinical knowledge of diagnosis, management, and patient education, preparing me for real-world medical practice. I am particularly interested in learning about the latest technologies and interdisciplinary approaches used in diabetes care. This camp also offers a valuable opportunity to engage with experts, expand my professional network, and gain insights into current research. Ultimately, this experience will strengthen my ability to provide holistic, patient-centered care and better serve future patients with diabetes."
"This program would be crucial in bridging my existing clinical research skills with a focused understanding of diabetes."
"Through the Diabetes Virtual Camp, I hope to gain valuable exposure to experts in medical fields as well as learn about their careers, research, and work. I believe that the Diabetes Virtual Camp offers a comprehensive variety of speakers who are truly passionate and experienced in their various fields. The opportunity to learn and observe from multiple experts in Diabetes Care would be an extremely rewarding experience that would help guide my curiosity in future areas of research, clinical work, and career interest."
"I would like to pursue a career in Medicine. Endocrinology is a specific interest as I was diagnosed with Type 1 DM at age 10. I am also interested in the impact of technology on T1D management."
"I hope to learn about cutting-edge diabetes research and treatments, as well as major pain points that diabetic patients are facing. As I transition from graduate studies to post-doctoral research, I am hoping to come away from the program inspired with new perspectives on how I can make an impact with my research at the next stage of my career to better align my investigation with the needs of the community."
"As an aspiring healthcare professional, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the latest advancements in diabetes research, education, and care through the Diabetes Virtual Camp. This program’s unique opportunity to learn directly from renowned experts and researchers will allow me to explore critical topics such as glucose regulation, insulin therapies, health disparities, and the intersection between research and clinical practice. I am particularly excited about the interactive format, which includes expert-led sessions, open forums, and Q&A periods that will allow for meaningful dialogue and mentorship."
"I hope to connect with mentors and peers who are equally passionate about tackling health inequities in chronic disease care. Participating in DVSC25 will strengthen my ability to design and advocate for integrated solutions that improve diabetes management at both the clinical and population levels, aligning with my broader goal of advancing health equity through research and policy."
"My main area of focus is diabetes; my family has a history with the disease, and so, I have spent a large portion of my time studying the disease and trying to understand it better. As such, I hope to go into internal medicine residency once I graduate, and then specialize in endocrinology, specifically the management of diabetes and obesity."
"I hope to learn about cutting-edge diabetes research and treatments, as well as major pain points that diabetic patients are facing. As I transition from graduate studies to post-doctoral research, I am hoping to come away from the program inspired with new perspectives on how I can make an impact with my research at the next stage of my career to better align my investigation with the needs of the community."
"I am an aspiring physician-scientist who seeks to bridge the gap between bench and bedside. I hope to further my own education and understanding of diabetes and metabolism from a perspective that integrates basic science and clinical care. Diabetes Virtual Camp provides an opportunity to learn from experts in the field of diabetes and metabolism, highlighting new and current topics in diabetes research and treatments. Not only will this program further my understanding of diabetes pathophysiology, research, and treatment, but of various career paths in medicine and science as well. The diverse group of interns who attend will also shed light on the way diabetes research and care are approached throughout the world, not just in the United States."
"From this program, I am personally excited to gain a deeper understanding of current topics in diabetes research and treatment, not only for my professional development but also because it is a significant family issue for me. I am particularly keen to learn how I can contribute to finding ways that better help my culture manage and address diabetes."
"I am particularly interested in learning more about the clinical approaches to treating diabetes as an incoming medical student, and I would be keen to apply the knowledge I gain throughout the virtual program in my medical career. I would also be keen on learning more about research in the development of insulin resistance as well as diabetes complications."
"For three years, I’ve managed my sister’s blood sugar. Every bite became a calculation, every reading a reflection of my efforts, sparking my fascination with how food affects the human body. Each insulin shot deepened my awareness of the complex relationship between nutrition and the endocrine system. My father constantly warned me about the dangers of an unhealthy diet, urging me to consider the long-term consequences. Though his advice resonated, my struggles with eating habits prevailed."
"My career interest is to become an endocrinologist with a focus on diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. This goal is deeply personal. Many of my family members, including my parents and uncle, have struggled with Type 2 diabetes, which has led to serious complications like kidney failure and even limb amputation. Witnessing their suffering has been heartbreaking, and it has motivated me to pursue a career where I can help others prevent and manage this disease."
"This camp is especially meaningful for me because both my parents are diabetics and I am very eager to learn more about it so that I can help them improve their health and lifestyles. I am sure that this camp will help me build a better understanding of diabetes, which will help me contribute to future work in this field."
"My sister was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic at a young age, which has made me even more motivated to learn about the condition. Through this program, I want to become more informed so I can take proactive steps to improve not only my own health, but also support my family in making healthier lifestyle choices."
"In my current role, I frequently encounter patients with poorly managed diabetes, particularly in post-trauma and surgical contexts, where chronic conditions exacerbate outcomes. I believe that participating in this program—through its expert-led sessions, interactive Q&As, and post-session tasks—will equip me with valuable insights and global perspectives on cutting-edge diabetes management. I am especially drawn to the program’s mission of advancing health equity, which deeply resonates with my own goal of addressing disparities in care within conflict-affected populations. This experience will not only enrich my clinical understanding but also strengthen my ability to contribute meaningfully to diabetes research and patient-centered care in underserved regions."
"I learned about your program through online research and recommendations from academic mentors who are familiar with my research interests. They encouraged me to apply because of the program’s strong focus on basic science and disease-related research."
"As a fourth-year medical student, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of diabetes and its systemic complications, especially in relation to perioperative care. Since diabetes is highly prevalent and significantly impacts anesthesia management and surgical outcomes, I believe this program will help me build a stronger foundation in patient safety, risk assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I also aim to stay updated on current research and treatment strategies that will be relevant in my future clinical practice."