August 2024
But I do get it. I know people who have changed their names to avoid unwanted public perceptions or as a symbolic gesture when trying to get a fresh start. Did JDRF need it for either of those reasons? Personally, I don’t think so. When you have a strong mission and continue to provide high-quality programs and services, the name shouldn’t really matter. Whether they call it Breakthrough, JDRF, or Project Burp should not make a bit of difference. What matters is the difference being made in peoples’ lives. So, what about the name Integrated Diabetes Services? It sounds kind of industrial, like the Acme store where Wile E. Coyote gets all the stuff he uses to try to catch the Roadrunner. I named it that on purpose (instead of something like “Scheiner Associates”) because I didn’t want to narrow us down to specific people or specific services. Helping people with their diabetes is far-reaching. It can include everything from medical interventions to lifestyle guidance to just being a good listener.
Gary Scheiner MS, CDCES
Owner, Clinical Director
What’s In a Name?
I am writing to you from the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit in Dallas, Texas. You might be asking yourself, “What the heck is Breakthrough T1D?” It happens to be the new name for JDRF, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The organization felt it was time for a new look and a new image, given that most people with type-1 diabetes are adults and not juveniles (although many of us still act that way). Do I like the new name? No. Do I think the organization needed to change its name? No. As someone who has been a JDRF volunteer for decades as a Board member, speaker, research informant and event planner, the name JDRF sort of grew on me. I know it as a mostly volunteer-driven organization that focuses on finding a cure and better treatments for T1D. Name recognition is not something to be taken lightly. It takes years to build. I also like the way “JDRF” rolls off the tongue. “Breakthrough T1D” sounds contrived and awkward… similar to how people in my profession, formerly known as Certified Diabetes Educators are now forced to take a deep breath and proclaim Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. But I do get it. I know people who have changed their names to avoid unwanted public perceptions or as a symbolic gesture when trying to get a fresh start. Did JDRF need it for either of those reasons? Personally, I don’t think so. When you have a strong mission and continue to provide high-quality programs and services, the name shouldn’t really matter. Whether they call it Breakthrough, JDRF, or Project Burp should not make a bit of difference. What matters is the difference being made in peoples’ lives. So, what about the name Integrated Diabetes Services? It sounds kind of industrial, like the Acme store where Wile E. Coyote gets all the stuff he uses to try to catch the Roadrunner. I named it that on purpose (instead of something like “Scheiner Associates”) because I didn’t want to narrow us down to specific people or specific services. Helping people with their diabetes is far-reaching. It can include everything from medical interventions to lifestyle guidance to just being a good listener.I think Shakespeare said it best: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.JDRF… I mean Breakthrough T1D… should be known for what it does, not what it is called. Similarly, I want Integrated Diabetes Services known for what we do: helping to make life with diabetes better and easier. I hope you find this month’s edition of Diabetes Bites informative and useful. If you prefer to listen rather than read, check out “Think Like A Pancreas: The Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform. As always, please reach out if there is anything we can do to assist you with making diabetes management better and easier: call 610-642-6055 or send an email to info@integrateddiabetes.com. Give us a chance to prove that we’re worthy of the name Integrated Diabetes Services.
Gary Scheiner MS, CDCES
Owner, Clinical Director
