Who We Are
At Insulin for Life USA, we understand that diabetes is a global problem.
Our Mission
IFL USA’s mission is simple: to bring the necessary resources
to individuals with diabetes.
To do this, we actively accept supplies from patients that would usually go to waste. Once those resources are donated, we take care of the rest, shipping these critical supplies to the communities who need them most. This cuts down waste within a medical community where many go without, using already-made goods to solve a problem that can save someone’s life. It’s because of our generous partners, board of passionate directors, and consistent support from individuals in and out of the diabetes community that IFL USA is able to make a difference. Every donation, whether resources or financial assistance, goes toward helping someone in need.
Inside Insulin for Life USA
Our Team
Carol Atkinson
Director
Our Director, Carol, has enjoyed watching IFL USA, Florida grow since she helped found it in 2012. She works closely with the Board of Directors, partners, and supports in guiding the activities of IFL to provide life-sustaining supplies to those in need.
What is your favorite memory from working for Insulin for Life USA?
In September of 2017 receiving a desperate call for supplies in Wharton, Texas. Despite it being a holiday weekend, leaving normal delivery challenges nonoperational, we successfully delivered supplies within 12 hours.
What is your favorite season?
Fall because I love apples, apple cider, and the fall leaves.
Favorite thing about Gainesville?
The influx of new community members driven by the University.
Maggie Callahan
International Program Specialist
Maggie, from Memphis, TN, assists in creating shipments of supplies to our international partners by capturing clinic usage, prepping inventories, and pulling supplies going out. She loves being able to support IFL’s partners in their endeavors to make life with diabetes manageable.
Favorite thing about working for IFL?
Being able to respond quickly to disaster situations both here in the US and around the world.
What are you currently watching?
The new season of Hell’s Kitchen. (Season 10 is still my fave!)
What’s your most used emoji?
🙃
Nathalia Gomes
Processing Associate
Nathalia, from São Paulo, Brazil, is on the path of earning a Nutritional Sciences degree from the University of Florida while working with IFL and plans to go to medical school. She works on processing incoming donations and is passionate about making an impact in the community after growing up and seeing the effect it has on people with diabetes and those around them.
What is your favorite pasta shape and why?
Fettuccine because you get the most pasta out of each piece without being overwhelming.
Have you gotten into any new hobbies recently?
Yes, interior designing.
What is the perfect way to end your day?
Get cozy and fall asleep while watching a movie without a care in the world.
Morgan Elliott
Processing Associate
Morgan, from Melbourne, FL, is a University of Florida graduate with a Biology degree and a minor in Statistics. Morgan is dedicated to helping the community they have found in Gainesville through their work at IFL and Gainesville Free Grocery Store. Their favorite part of working at IFL is assisting those with diabetes while deeply understanding the struggles of the medical system.
What is your favorite thing to cook/bake?
Cupcakes! I am a chocolate lover, so chocolate everything all the time.
What is your favorite thing about Gainesville
The sense of community.
If you could invent a holiday, what would it involve?
I would mandate a Play with Your Cat Day.
Board Members
MARK ATKINSON, PH.D
President
Dr. Atkinson is currently a Professor of Pathology & Pediatrics and Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research at The University of Florida, where he also serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the UF Diabetes Institute. The author of over 375 publications, Dr. Atkinson is in his third decade of investigation into the field of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes where he undertakes studies seeking to identify the causes of and a cure for the disease. Dr. Atkinson has been the recipient of multiple scientific and humanitarian-based awards for these efforts. He has also been active in leadership service to the type 1 diabetes community, with administrative or advisory service to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The American Diabetes Association, The National Institutes of Health, Diapedia, the Immunology of Diabetes Society, and approximately ten pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies.
FRANCINE KAUFMAN, M.D.
Vice President
Dr. Kaufman has devoted more than three decades to the mission of improving the lives of people with diabetes. Her expertise in pediatric type 1 diabetes is exemplified through her involvement with multiple for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including service on multiple Boards of Directors. A former President of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Kaufman has served as a delegate to the World Health Organization and was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine. In addition, she has experience with multiple academic research efforts and patient care initiatives (including international based efforts), currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of Medtronic Diabetes, and carries a defined leadership role with the Medtronic Foundation.
MARGERY PERRY
Secretary & Treasurer
Margery Perry has been involved in type 1 diabetes research and advocacy since her daughter Adriana was diagnosed over 26 years ago. She is very active in the diabetes community and has served on multiple non-profit Board of Directors including the International Board of the JDRF as the Chair of Research. Margery also served on the National Institutes of Health Advisory Council for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Margery remains committed to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and improving the lives of those that have the disease.
ALICIA JENKINS, M.D.
Dr. Jenkins is a diabetes specialist and researcher in Australia. She works clinically as an endocrinologist in Sydney and Melbourne, predominantly in Type 1 diabetes services. She was a key figure in establishing the organization preceding the current Insulin for Life USA in Oklahoma City. Indeed in working with that group, amongst her activities were to develop public awareness for the program, build communication efforts, identify sources for domestic donation of supplies, designating potential sites for distribution of donations, and evaluating medical ethics and need. Today, she continues in these activities. She has been an Insulin for Life Australia and Insulin for Life Global Board Member since 2000.
HOWARD STEINBERG
Howard Steinberg began his career in brand management at the Pepsi Cola Co. and then started his first company, Source Marketing, in 1989, which grew to be a leader in the promotional marketing industry. Having lived with type 1 diabetes since age 10, he applied his disease understanding along with his marketing and entrepreneurial savvy to form dLife in 2005 to engage this burgeoning population in better 24/7 self-care through a multi-media DTC platform. dLife rapidly became the leading consumer source and trusted BRAND with proven outcomes. Steinberg left dLife in 2012 and he remains active as an investor and advisor to early stage companies and non profits.
HENRY ANHALT
