The Diabetes Advisory Council is a statutorily mandated (385.203, Florida Statutes) group that was created to guide a statewide comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, education, care, treatment, impact, and costs.

The Diabetes Advisory Council serves as the advisory unit to the Department of Health, other governmental agencies, professional and other organizations, and the general public. The council provides statewide leadership to continuously improve the lives of Floridians with diabetes and reduce the burden of diabetes.

The Diabetes Advisory Council makes specific recommendations to the State Surgeon General regarding the public health aspects of the prevention and control of diabetes.

Meetings

Upcoming Meeting

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Past Meetings

Membership

Diabetes Advisory Council members represent sectors of the health system and the general population who have expertise, experience, and involvement in diabetes prevention and control.  Members serve four-year terms or until their successors are appointed by the governor.

Five Interested citizens, three of whom are affected by diabetes

Ms. Nancy Murphy

(4) Vacant positions

One member each from at least three of the medical schools in Florida

(3) Vacant positions

No more than 18 members and no more than one each from among the following areas

Nursing with diabetes-educator certification
Vacant

Dietary with diabetes educator certification
Vacant

Podiatric medicine
Melvin B. Price, DPM

Ophthalmology or optometry
Vacant

Psychology
Vacant

Pharmacy
Marlon S. Honeywell, PharmD

Adult endocrinology
Vacant

Pediatric endocrinology
Larry Fox, MD

American Diabetes Association (ADA)
Vacant

Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
Bridget Jennings

Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Vacant

Florida Academy of Family Physicians
Vacant

Community health center
Vacant

County health department
Vacant

ADA-recognized community education program
Vacant

Osteopathic medical school

Insurance industry
Donald S. Grossman, MD, FACP

Children’s Medical Services Diabetes Regional Program
Vacant

Employer
Joseph Chebli, M.D.
DAC Chair 

Representatives from the Florida Department of Health, serving as ex officio members

Sarah, MPH, CDCES, CHES
Diabetes Analyst
Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Katrina L. Rivers, MSN RN, MSHL FCCM LSSYB
Health System Administrator 
Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Tara Hylton, MPH
Chief 
Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Council Appointments

The Diabetes Advisory Council is a legislatively mandated, multi-disciplinary group whose members are appointed by the Governor, pursuant to section 385.203, Florida Statutes.

Applications for membership may be completed online. All applications are kept on file for one year, during which time they are considered for any position for which they are qualified which become vacant.

The Diabetes Advisory Council currently has openings for the following members: 

  • Florida medical schools (3 positions)
  • Osteopathic medical school
  • Nursing with diabetes educator certification
  • Dietary with diabetes educator certification
  • Ophthalamology or optometry
  • Psychology
  • Adult endocrinology
  • American Diabetes Association
  • Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
  • Breakthrough T1D, formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
  • Florida Academy of Family Physicians

  • Community health center 
  • County health department
  • ADA-recognized community education program
  • Children’s Medical Services diabetes regional program
  • Interested citizen, affected by diabetes 
  • Interested citizen
Legislative Reports and Publications

The Diabetes Advisory Council, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health, Agency for Health Care Administration, and Department of Management Services, submit biennial reports on diabetes to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate. 

Florida law requires the Florida Diabetes Advisory Council, in conjunction with the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Management Services, to prepare a biennial report on diabetes. On January 10, 2017, the first report was delivered to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate. The report included:

  • Public health consequences of diabetes
  • Financial impact on the state of all types of diabetes, including Medicaid, DMS Division of State Group Insurance, and other state agency diabetes programs and activities
  • Costs and effectiveness of current state programs for managing, treating, and preventing all types of diabetes
  • Action plan for preventing, reducing, and controlling diabetes
  • Expected outcomes if the action plan is implemented

Several states have adopted legislation requiring similar reports. Reviewing these reports is a valuable and informative step in preparing Florida’s report. 

Resources

Find a DSMES provider near you

Example State Legislative Reports