DiaM for Diabetes

I'm a mother of 3 boys, two who are Type One Diabetics. I'm passionate about technology and how it can solve global problems. I've worked internationally in over 25 countries, and have 18+ years experience in sustainable development, management, marketing, sales and business development. 

Throughout my years of work, I've worked with exemplary organizations globally such as the World Bank, USAid, Inter-American Development Bank, OXFAM, Peace Corps, Care and many more. 

Since 2015, I've been an advocate for enhanced care in Diabetes. As a concerned parent and leader on how technology can create paths for change, I've made it my mission to build a technology that will give Diabetics a proactive solution for living longer, happier and healthier lives. To have the freedom and solution to take control of their life.

Less than 6% of all Diabetics know how to manage their Diabetes within the US. Diabetes care and management is reactive. Manually intense. Archaic in how it's managed between patient and doctor. 

Our software will offer a single unified view of the required care in a Diabetics life. It will provide a 360-degree connection to every stakeholder in their life. It will track every activity, interaction, relationship, measurement and data associated with them. 

Medical and non-medical professionals will have ability to communicate, and interact in real-time so that there may be a proactive care approach for predicting, preventing emergencies and optimizing member care.

Through the use if AI, IoT, and a personal team. Each Diabetic will have the opportunity to be guided and supported. 

Diabetes is a global Epidemic. Through teaching, guiding and providing real-time support, we aim to improve their life and survival.

Less than 6% of all Diabetics know how to manage their Diabetes within the US. Diabetes care and management is reactive. Manually intense. Archaic processes between patient and doctor management. 

Globally over 425 Million people live with Diabetes. Self-Care and Management is a significant problem, since visits to doctors are less frequent (cost and distance) and dietary cultural norms inhibit proper nutrition. Obesity, Smoking, Diet, Physical Activity and Alcohol are also contributors. 

DiaM is focused on education, coaching, real-time support and adaption to cultural norms to drive effective behavioral changes and the development of habits, that increase acceptance and understanding. 

The reason for such a poor Diabetes care regimen and lack of controlled Diabetes, is primarily due to daily life. Our coaches, software and team work with Diabetics, their doctors, and other contacts to drive a 360-degree approach to care.  

Starting next month we are working with the PIMA Indians of Arizona (Over 50% have Diabetes), this 6-week project is focused on validating, introducing and implementing our DiaM program within their cultural group. 

DiaM is a software system with an Application for Diabetic Members and a web back-office for medical and non-medical professionals. The system is a unified platform that connects all stakeholders within the Diabetics life, so that they may engage, receive, report, care and manage members.  

What we offer:

• Daily Care Management: log for meals, weight, BG, A1C, etc..
• Education (Video and in-person)
• TeleMedicine
• Community
• Real-Time notifications, reminders and alerts.
• IoT connected devices
• Emergency Response System
• Integration to hospital/clinic EHR systems
• Predictive Analysis w/ Suggestions and reporting
• Daily Dashboard View
• Mental Health Resources
• Connections system to engage w/ all DiaM coaches, doctors (Endocrinologists, cardiologist, ophthalmologists, podiatrist, nutritionist and more), friends, family, and non-medical professionals (senior day care staff, aftercare staff, camp leader, babysitter, trainer, teacher, group leader, etc..) 

In addition, we offer specialized "Diabetes Care Programs" specific to marginalized and high risk groups. Below are %'s from total 34 Million Diabetics within US.

• Native Americans (14.7%)
• Hispanics (12.5%)
• Blacks (11.7%)
• Asians (9.2%)
• Seniors (25%)
• Community Health Centers & Rural Clinics

DiaM Members include:

• Diabetics (Type One, Type Two, Gestational & PreDiabetes)
• Parents
• Caregivers

Other Programs that connect to the Diabetics world include:

• Government Program (for employees)
• Employer Program (for employees)

DiaM is focused on helping all Diabetics.  We have developed specialized care programs that will assist us in addressing the high prevalence of Diabetes within specific groups.

1. Native Americans
2. Blacks
3. Hispanics
4. Asians
5. Senior

Our work has focused on building partnerships with national and local organizations, hospital/clinics, behavioral organizations and more. We are  taking into consideration many factors that have limited their access to care, education and real-time support.

We have started our research and project to focus on the 4,760,000 million Native Americans within the US, who unfortunately lack adequate access to healthcare facilities, formalized Diabetes programs, have cultural (superstitions) barriers, distance and other factors that are affecting them. Specifically, we are starting with the Pima Indians out of Arizona who have 50% of their total tribe affected by Diabetes. By working alongside their leaders, physicians, tribal council and more, we could build a program that can be accepted, used and recommended.   

Our program is built to be culturally sensitive, include tribal white label within software for higher engagement, included within our approach is building and training local tribal coaches that support Diabetics and Physicians with the DiaM Tribal Diabetic program and much more. 

Globally people are marginalized due to socio-economic reasons, race, ethnicity, and many more.  DiaM seeks to empower these individuals. To give them the control that they require without concern for money, whom to call, how to get help and more.

Our system is built to be 100% free to all Diabetics members. Our approach is to work with those traditionally left behind, in addition to, driving for change in how Diabetic care and management is being handled.

It is not acceptable that Diabetics, must first have a problem to be given instruction on what to do. Proactive care is critical!

In 2015, my oldest son got diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. Last year, my youngest son also got diagnosed with Diabetes.

As a mother of 3 boys, two who are sick and require daily minute-by-minute attention. It baffles me that within the US, Diabetes care and management is archaic in its processes and lags in a synergistic model that enhances care for Diabetics.

Diabetes for me and my family consist of several doctors, none who communicates with the other. I'm given paper logs to complete, told to memorize calculations, and expected to be 100% proficient in everything related to my children's Diabetes. 

Last year, I was significantly impacted by my 2nd son's diagnosis and developed PTSD. I was so overwhelmed that my children's A1C spiked. I found no resources, was told to meet with doctors repeatedly, but was unable to handle three children, two sick boys, being a single mother, and work. 

DiaM was born from my own personal struggle. I realized how Diabetes care, management and mental health mattered. 

DiaM is not just for Diabetics. But for parents and caregivers who also need assistance in managing their own journey and connection to Diabetes. 

Through my own personal struggle, and after meeting so many families over the last few years. I've realized how important and critical this proactive care approach is within the Diabetes sector. By working through behavioral changes and habits, we have the ability to empower people to control their health.

Healthcare is evolving. Technology is giving us access to opportunities that enhance, empower and allow people to better care for themselves.

I want to be a part of that. I have a passion for creating change in the world. My personal journey with Diabetes has been ugly, hard, scary and insightful. I've learned to adapt to the experiences and to grow from what I've learned. I want to help others and give them the opportunity to live longer, happier, healthier and empowered.

The International Diabetes Federation projects that Diabetes will rise from 463 Million people (2019) by 10.2% to 578 million people by 2030. By 10.9% to 700 million people by 2045. 

Change is critical. We must adapt our perception of care and how this disease is being handled. I want to be a catalysts for change, and I want to see others live a full life.

My Team:

• Lorenna Feliz Santos (CEO): 18+ years International experience as a C-level executive working as CEO, and VP of sales, marketing and business development in over 25 countries. I've worked in sustainable development projects globally and have a passion for social impact projects.
• Nicole Minionis Benaim (CMO): 15+ years experience in marketing and sales. Earned a Chemical Engineering MBA from Fordham University. Worked 8 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Alex Castro (CFO): 7+ years of experience in finance and business development in Fortune 100 enterprises. MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
• Angel Ramirez (CTO):15+ Years experience in the software development industry. He is Kubernetes Certified Administrator (CKA), a cloud-native stack advocate, and a member of the CNCF speaker bureau.
• Hitomi Mizugaki (CPO): 5 ½+ Years experience in the product development and in software engineering. 

Our Advisors:

• Dennis Robbins (Digital & Strategic Healthcare Advisor): 
  • 40+ Years experience working as advisor, author and speaker. 
  • Post-Doctoral MPH from Harvard University & PhD from Boston College. 
  • Published 11 Healthcare books.   
  • Advisor to 10 US president’s and White House Commissions and Two US Supreme Court decisions.
  • Digital Health, Technology, Ai, devices engagement, genomics and more.
• Joel Fashingbauer (Strategic Advisor):
  • 20+ years experience in development and technology.
  • Led multiple development teams; Electronic Arts and Activision. 
  • Had multiple exits including AdColony, which sold to Opera Media Works in 2014 for $350M.
  • He launched an incubator and tech fund in 2015.
• David Bookman (Financial Advisor)
  • 35+ yrs experience in Accounting & Financing
  • 13 Years Public Accounting
  • CFO for multiple companies

When I first started this project I was suffering from PTSD and still adjusting to everything involved with Diabetes. The depression and stress, was very significant.

However, I kept thinking to myself that within this "craziness", I must find a positive. The fact that I had the opportunity to be proactive in my child's care was of utmost importance and relevance.

As my idea took fruition, I was scared of being stereotyped as just another single mother with a sad story.  I wanted for this to be real. To be  significant. To be validated. As I built my team. My advisors. Connected with doctors. Spoke with Endocrinology specialists, I realized this was "real". It was needed. 

Yes, I'm a single Hispanic mother of 3 boys. But this has never stopped my perseverance and vision to grow. I moved to the US 6-years ago from the Dominican Republic, with 3 boys (under the age of 8) and $200 dollars. Through all my struggles, I'm proud that I've held myself up and that I'm building something greater than myself. Something for my children to be proud of. Something that can impact the world. 

I was once the Executive Director to a Sustainable Community Development organization. The organization had 30 members. No programs. No funding. I was hired by a previous employer to "grow the organization and make it relevant". 

In less than 6-months, I drove the membership up to over 200. I became an advocate for social change specifically by developing 4 programs that focused on community development and involved local stakeholders as ambassadors and co-leaders to the programs. 

As the front person for the programs, I was actively involved in learning about each business, the local community, active leaders, and more.The programs built include:

(1) Coral Reef Program (due to coral bleaching)

(2) Developing a Community Cave Tour (built around a local marginalized community near the caves that helped them with economic growth)

(3) Women's Empowerment program (focused on providing technical skills to local prostitutes) 

(4) Collaborating with opening and developing a Jewish Ancestry program for a Jewish Museum that was closed for several years.

As the leader for these programs, we were able to acquire funding by the Inter-American Development Bank and from the Government Ministry, we got featured in several magazines and were invited to several TV shows.