Meet our multi-disciplinary team of Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
Integrated Diabetes Services features a multi-disciplinary team of Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (CDCES) with a true passion and talent for diabetes care and diabetes education.
All of our diabetes clinicians live with diabetes personally. Our office staff is dedicated to serving our patients with sensitivity to their needs and concern for their satisfaction.
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES, FADCES Founder, Clinical Director
An award-winning Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, Master’s-level Exercise Physiologist, and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985, Gary Scheiner has dedicated his professional life to improving the lives of people with insulin-dependent diabetes. He was named 2014 Diabetes Educator of the Year by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
Gary earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Benedictine University. He received his diabetes training with the world-renowned Joslin Diabetes Center. Gary serves on the faculty of several prominent organizations and the clinical advisory boards for a number of diabetes device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.
Gary has authored seven books:
- Think Like A Pancreas (4 editions: 2025, 2020, 2012, 2004) (Kindle version)(Audible version)
- The Ultimate Guide to Accurate Carb Counting (2007) (Kindle version)
- Practical CGM (2015) (Kindle version)
- Diabetes-How To Help (2018)
- You Can Control Diabetes (1997)
- Get Control of Your Blood Sugar (2009)
- Until There’s A Cure (2012) (Kindle version)
NEW 2025 “Think Like a Pancreas, Completely Revised 4th Edition” Grab a signed copy here>
He’s published diabetes research in prominent scientific journals and written hundreds of articles related to diabetes education for consumer and trade magazines and diabetes websites. He speaks at local, national and international conferences on a multitude of topics in diabetes care. Gary is certified to train on all models of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and hybrid closed loop systems, and has personally used every system that is currently on the market since 1992.
A devoted husband and father of four, Gary enjoys exercising (especially basketball, bicycling, running, and weight lifting) and cheering on his local Philadelphia sports teams.
IDS FUN FACTS: Gary!
Hobbies: Working out, Cheering on Philly sports teams (win or lose)
Pets: Four cats and 4 kids who don’t take care of the cats
Lifelong Ambition: Play basketball until I’m 100 (age, not blood sugar)
Likes: Movie theater popcorn, barbecue, all-day bike rides in the summertime
Dislikes: Slow drivers in the left lane, people who stand on moving walkways, bureaucracy
Fun Fact: Diagnosed with diabetes in SUGARLAND, Texas
Jennifer Smith, RD, LD, CDCES Director of Lifestyle and Nutrition
Jennifer joined Integrated Diabetes Services’ clinical team in 2011 and was instrumental in developing the first virtual diabetes education services including education specific for women who are planning pregnancy. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Biology from the University of Wisconsin– Green Bay. She is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and DIY closed loop systems. She is an active member of the American Diabetes Association and Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, and is a regular presenter on the JuiceBox podcast.
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, she has 20 years of experience working with patients and their families to improve diabetes management. Prior to moving to Madison, she served as a key member of the endocrine team at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. An established guru in diabetes technologies, Jennifer has had the pleasure of working with many diabetes and personality types, and understands that everyone’s needs and interests are unique.
She has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was a child and has first-hand knowledge of the variables that affect diabetes management. After attending a diabetes-specific sports training camp in she discovered her passion for achieving fitness goals while living healthfully with diabetes. This brought a deeper understanding of athletic training requirements and the importance of nutrition and diabetes management strategies to realize athletic goals. She completed her first 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon and has since done several marathons, half marathons and many cycling events.
Jennifer honed her skills in helping women successfully navigate pregnancy after having her first baby. After this experience she co-authored a book specific to Type 1 Diabetes in pregnancy to help women understand what to expect.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and traveling with her 2 sons and husband, Nathan. A culinary “experimenter”, she is fond of cooking and baking, with an eye on options to ensure optimal glycemic navigation as well as value for long term health.
IDS FUN FACTS: Jenny!
Hobbies: Running, Biking, Yoga, hiking, cooking/baking and reworking recipes for lower carb/gluten-free needs, playing super-heroes with my boys
Pets: Chocolate Lab – Franklin, 2 black panthers (cats really) – Buster and Lucille (we call them the Thunder cats)
Lifelong Ambition: Visit all 50 states (not just travel through them)
Likes: Dark, dark chocolate (it’s more of a love here!), dill pickles, taking a run in a nice slow rain, thunder/lightning storms, the sound of rain on a tent (maybe I should live in Seattle!?), commuting via subway
Dislikes: People who stand on the left of an escalator (stand on the right, walk on the left is proper etiquette of course!), the length of time it takes to get things to change/get things approved in the world of diabetes technology, gawkers
A Fun Fact: I have hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, climbed Huayna Picchu and have completed two 70.3 mile Half-Ironman triathlons
Alicia Downs RN, MSN, CDCES, BC-ADM (She/They) Director of Patient Care and Education
Alicia’s diverse nursing career has given her experience with a broad range of clients and a variety of health conditions, in addition to diabetes. One of her passions is advocating for the needs of her patients, whether it be in overcoming insurance restrictions, obtaining community resources, or coordinating with school systems and medical providers. Alicia is an active member of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.
Alicia manages her diabetes with an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. Her rocky road included years of misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments during her college years. That experience gave Alicia the incentive to take the lead in her own health care and educate those around her.
“In this day and age, everyone with diabetes deserves state-of-the-art care, treatment, and education,” professes Alicia. “Nobody should have to go through what I went through early on.”
Alicia’s life has included many unique medical challenges, including multiple autoimmune diagnoses and orthopedic conditions. However, Alicia chooses to view these as opportunities to grow stronger rather than as barriers, and applies this approach to her clinical practice.
“Diabetes is a Medical diagnosis with a Mental Health treatment modality; it is all in how we are thinking about it, our relationship with ourselves and with diabetes makes the real difference.”
Areas of clinical specialty for Alicia include working with patients through cancer treatment, Type 3C diabetes, Diabetes management along with complex medical challenges, diabetes management in combination with behavioral and mental health challenges, as well as Tandem diabetes device optimization. Alicia is also passionate about providing educated, compassionate, informed, and equitable care to all people. Her specialized experience in gender diverse care, LGBTQ care areas, as well as experience in diverse ethnic and faith backgrounds, is Alicia’s greatest pride in her professional career.
Alicia has advanced experience and training in applying advanced technologies to Diabetes Management and works with world class industry innovators to push the capabilities of AI and other advanced technologies to improve access and individuality of Diabetes Management for all.
IDS FUN FACTS: Alicia!
Dana Roseman, MPH, CDCES, RDN, LDN Director of Technology and Applied Research
Dana is a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist and Registered Dietitian. She holds certifications in insulin pump therapy and obesity interventions for adults. Dana received a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago after receiving a Bachelor’s in Science with Honors at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, Dana served as an AmeriCorp volunteer on a variety of health education initiatives and played a key role in establishing the first school-based health clinic in the city of Chicago.
After being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and working closely with her diabetes educator, Dana was inspired to help others with their diabetes management. She went on to earn a degree in Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and became a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. For almost 20 years, Dana has focused on helping improve patients’ lives through diabetes technology and applied research. She has trained patients on every currently-available model of insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and has been involved in over 20 cutting-edge clinical trials related to advanced diabetes and obesity interventions. Dana is also a pioneer in the area of closed loop “artificial pancreas” systems and uses a hybrid closed-loop system personally.
Dana serves as the Research Information Liaison for the Dallas chapter of JDRF and serves on the JDRF National Speakers Bureau. Dana also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is active with many local community service projects, including Camp Sweeney (a summer camp for children living with T1D).
Dana loves to stay physically active and is committed to the belief that T1D need not slow anyone down. She is proud to have completed the New York Marathon (finishing with a blood sugar of 150 mg/dl!). Dana lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband of 22 years and three teenage children. Whenever a spare moment, Dana enjoys trail running, yoga and downhill skiing. In quiet moments, she enjoys making jewelry and reading historical fiction.
IDS FUN FACTS: Dana!
Hobbies: Yoga, running, gardening organic vegetables
Pets: Best border collies in the world – Annie and Reba
Lifelong ambition: To get the most out of every day with family and friends
Likes: Fish tacos and homemade guacamole, traveling anywhere new, and exploring nature
Dislikes: Excuses and negativity
Fun Fact: I was a competitive figure skater and then ice skating coach through college
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES Director of Intensive Diabetes Management
Tavia’s diabetes-related clinical experience includes working as an RN, CDCES in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism clinics, a lipidology and cardiology clinic, a high-risk diabetes and pregnancy clinic, and a standalone diabetes education clinic. During her tenure at a large, multi-state hospital system, she was a key leader in a multi-year, cross-disciplinary initiative, working closely with stakeholders across the system to revise and align insulin-related order sets, policies, guidelines, and education for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and hospital staff.
Even though Tavia has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 40 years, and her oldest son has lived with T1D for 6 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique. She strives to be an expert resource on intensive diabetes management options. She enjoys learning about the latest medications, strategies, and technologies available that may help her clients reduce their diabetes burden while improving diabetes self-management, coping skills, and increasing confidence. Tavia is an active listener, a passionate expert, and a true advocate for people with diabetes. She can be relied upon to provide strong support for clients facing any life challenges.
Tavia is fluent in English and Spanish. She lives in Iowa with her husband and their two teenage children. She loves playing tug with her Husky, Sysko. Tavia enjoys hiking, bicycling, and kayaking with her family.
IDS FUN FACTS: Tavia!
Katlyn Agosta, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CDCES Diabetes Self-Management Specialist
Katlyn is a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist and nurse practitioner who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes since 2002. She is currently rocking an automated insulin delivery system, but has years of personal and professional experience with a variety of diabetes management approaches.
Growing up in a large military family as the third of eight siblings, she learned early on how to adapt to change. Her initial plan to join the Air Force was derailed by her diagnosis, but it became the catalyst for her nursing career. After earning her bachelor’s in nursing from George Mason University in 2010, Katlyn gained experience in public health, labor & delivery, and inpatient diabetes care. She became a board-certified nurse practitioner in 2020 and provides primary care services locally for patients in Florida.
“I lean towards a supportive, solution-focused approach when working with clients,” she says. “I love seeing people with diabetes becoming more confident and empowered in their care. That’s when the magic happens.”
Katlyn lives in the Tampa Bay area with her husband, Paul, and their two children.
IDS FUN FACTS: Katlyn!
Hobbies: Reading, video games, painting, and making custom piñatas (I’m a crafty one)
Pets: Backyard chickens and a 65-pound rescue dog named Floki
Lifelong ambition: To leave a lasting positive impact and legacy in this world
Likes: Learning new things, family board game nights, cheese with red wine, and peanut M&Ms
Dislikes: Dancing and not being able to see around the car in front me
Fun fact: My orchid plant is named “Bacon” after her pink and white flowers. I’ve kept her alive since she was gifted to me in 2022!
Anna Sabino MSW, CDCES Emotional Health Counselor
Anna Sabino has been living with T1D for over 30 years and proudly offers expert emotional health counseling for children, adults, and families with T1D. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with a dual degree in psychology and child and family studies. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Her areas of expertise include family dynamics, crisis management, anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress.
Anna’s greatest passion is helping individuals and families build a sense of confidence and comfort with their diabetes management. She spent most of her childhood summers attending, volunteering, and working directly with diabetes summer camps and has nearly 20 years of experience creating and overseeing youth and family programs with organizations such as the College Diabetes Network (Diabetes Link), International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association, and the T1D Exchange.
As an MSW and CDCES, Anna has written many articles for professional journals and serves on numerous advisory boards on a local, national, and international level.
An avid exerciser, Anna lives outside Boston, MA, with her husband and two young children.
Call Anna: 610-642-6055
IDS FUN FACTS: Anna!
Hobbies: CrossFit/strength training, baking with chocolate, traveling, skiing.
Pets: A rescue lab mix pup named Orvis.
Lifelong Ambition: To visit all 50 states.
Dislikes: Bacon, the word moist, waiting on hold for more than 30 seconds
A Fun Fact: Traveled to New Zealand 3 times, a certified hula dancer.
Dr Paula Diab, PhD, CDCES Diabetologist & Weight Management Specialist
Dr. Paula Diab is a Family Physician and Diabetologist who hails from the sunny shores of South Africa. She earned her undergraduate medical degree from the University of Cape Town in 2000 and then returned to her home province of KwaZulu-Natal to establish her career and continue her post-graduate studies. She has recently also been certified as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in the US and is excited to join the IDS team.
She currently runs a multi-disciplinary practice specializing in the management of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity. Her approach is to walk the journey with her patients and to allow them to manage their disease rather than allow the disease to define who they are. Paula has been the recipient of numerous National and International Awards including the National CDE (Centres of Diabetes & Endocrinology) Best Practice Award in 2016 and the International Rising Stars Diabetes Programme in 2020. She is currently working on a task force to establish the first Obesity Management Guidelines in her home country. She also serves as a key opinion leader on multiple pharmaceutical products and frequently gives public lectures and presentations on various diabetes-related topics.
She has authored dozens of journal articles and speaks often at local and international conferences. Despite carrying the burden of being the only member of the IDS clinical team without type 1 Diabetes, her skills and passion for diabetes care & education are exemplary (she did successfully manage her own gestational diabetes during her pregnancies). Paula lives with her husband, Guy, and two teenage children, Brunton and Lauren. Her personal experiences led her to write and publish a book: “Confessions of a Pandemic Mother” – a humorous, yet very real account of a working mother’s experience during a global pandemic.
Read Paula’s articles in Diabetes South Africa:
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Summer 2022: Overcoming Treatment Fears
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Autumn 2023: Weight loss: more than just eating less and being more active.
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Winter 2023: Foot disease and Diabetes.
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Spring 2023: Managing Hypoglycaemic Anxiety.
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Summer 2023: Tired of Feeling Tired.
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Autumn 2024: Alcohol: Drink safely and smartly
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Winter 2024: Navigating the Post-meal Rollercoaster
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Spring 2024: Ultra-rapid insulin
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Autumn 2025: New GLP1s
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Winter 2025: Alfrezza
- Diab, P.N. Diabetes Focus; Spring 2025: Awiqli
IDS FUN FACTS: Paula!
Hobbies: watching my children thrive on the sports field & concert stage, supporting South Africa play good international sports, photography, piano, dancing.
Pets: my children look after their own dogs… I look after the children!
Lifelong Ambition: To live a life of purpose with no regrets.
Likes: Sundowners with friends in the South African bush, a walk on the beach / in the mountains,
Autumn colors, traveling….oh, and chocolate!
Dislikes: inefficiency, complacency, apathy, and laziness.
A Fun Fact: I have lived on 4 continents at different times of my life (Virginia, USA; New Zealand; Brazil & South Africa). I traveled to all 6 continents before the age of 21 and have visited over 15% of all the countries in the world with no plans to stop!
Kristi Paguio LMSW, LCSW, CDCES Mental Health Specialist
Kristi is a licensed clinical social worker, diabetes care and education specialist, and provider listed on the ADA Mental Health Provider Directory. Since 2007, she has dedicated her career to supporting people impacted by diabetes, from pediatrics to adults, athletes to expectant mothers, and those navigating weight management.
Today, Kristi maintains a private practice specializing in diabetes and chronic illness. She’s passionate about empowering her clients to live their fullest lives, bringing focus to each person’s unique strengths alongside a real-life, practical approach. Her expertise has taken
her to state and national platforms where she advocates for greater awareness of the mental and emotional dimensions of diabetes care.
Her connection to this work is deeply personal. Kristi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000, sparking her enduring focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of living with the condition. She understands firsthand the challenges her clients face and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every interaction.
When she’s not working, Kristi enjoys life in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband Ron. She loves cooking, painting with acrylics or watercolors, seeking out travel and adventure, and spending time with dear friends and family – preferably outdoors!
Call Kristi: 616-287-3114
IDS FUN FACTS: Kristi!
Hobbies: Cooking, painting, gardening, traveling, and exercising.
Pets: Three crazy kitties: Jarvis, Wilbur, and Friday (a rescue) who showed up on our doorstep and would not leave. Soon to adopt a dog…more to come.
Lifelong Ambition: To never stop learning and stretching myself. To live courageously each day.
Likes: Movie theater popcorn, being outside all day, spending time with beloved friends and family, and any activity that involves being on the water.
Dislikes: Being sedentary, violence in movies, and ice cream spilled on the ground.
A Fun Fact: I would like to learn to make either wood, metal, or stone sculptures.
Amy Sczepanski Office Administrator
Amy brings years of experience in healthcare support, having served as a customer service specialist at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. She also has experience in construction logistics and taught at an elementary school for 12 years.
At Integrated Diabetes Services, Amy serves as the primary point of contact for new and existing clients. She manages scheduling, billing, and communications, ensuring that everyone receives timely support and personalized care. Amy has a genuine love for people and a strong passion for helping others, which drives her to create a positive and supportive experience for every individual.
Amy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of nine. She also has a younger brother with T1D, so diabetes has always played an important role in her life. A client of IDS for nearly a decade, she has a unique perspective of seeing things from both sides. In addition, she is personally familiar with the various tools and technologies used by people with diabetes every day.
A native Californian now living near Hershey, PA, Amy enjoys everything outdoors — hiking, biking, running, backpacking, gardening, and long days at the river. She also loves fitness, including yoga, long runs, and strength training. She adores her two cat “fur babies,” Charlotte Isabelle and Phillip Alexander, as well as her adopted dog, Huckleberry. You will never see Amy sitting in one spot for more than a few minutes, and her good sense of humor and bright smile always light up a room.
Feel free to reach out to Amy any time: 610-642-6055 (option 1)
IDS FUN FACTS: Amy!
Hobbies: Hiking, fitness, paddle-boarding, backpacking, running, cooking, gardening, cleaning & organization
Pets: Charlotte Isabelle & Phillip Alexander (cats), Huckleberry (dog)
Lifelong ambition: Open a farm with a petting zoo, pony rides, and a bar for the parents called The Tipsy Tractor
Likes: Animals, good food, time with friends, sunshine, cowgirl boots, thrift shopping, CATS
Dislikes: Hateful people, school shootings, cults, cruelty to animals, bigotry, narcissism, hypocrisy
Fun Fact: I relocated from California to Pennsylvania on my own, driving my truck and trailer with my two cats. Since I didn’t have air conditioning, I made the entire trip at night to keep them safe and comfortable.
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Ready to take your Diabetes care to the next level? Schedule a talk with our team. We offer remote Diabetes Management, or if you’re looking for an in-person diabetes educator near Philadelphia, visit our office in Wynnewood, PA.