Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition Announces New Board Members, 2026 and Executive Committee, Honors Founding Leader’s Legacy

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Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition Announces New Board Members, 2026 and Executive Committee, Honors Founding Leader’s Legacy

January 5, 2026

‍

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), a national diabetes and healthcare advocacy organization advancing patient-first policies at the local, state, and federal levels, today announced the appointment of two new board members and the confirmation of its 2026 officer slate.

DPAC proudly welcomes Tekisha Everette, PhD, MPA, MPH, CPH, and Davida Kruger, MSN, APN-BC, BC-ADM, to its Board of Directors. Both will begin three-year terms on January 1, 2026.

Tekisha Everette serves as Executive Vice President at Trust for America’s Health, where she helps guide organizational strategy, leads work on emerging policy priorities, and collaborates with national partners and policymakers to advance public health and health equity. A seasoned policy strategist, she previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions in Connecticut and was Managing Director of Federal Government Affairs at the American Diabetes Association. Her career also includes roles in government relations, labor policy, and state government. Everette holds a PhD in Sociology from American University, an MPA from Virginia Tech, and an MPH from Yale University.

Davida Kruger is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner and diabetes expert with more than 40 years of clinical and research experience at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. She has served as a principal investigator on major NIH-funded studies, including EDIC and ACCORD, and has published extensively on diabetes management. A former President of Health Care and Education for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), she has also chaired the ADA Research Foundation and served as editor-in-chief of Diabetes Spectrum and Clinical Diabetes. Her leadership and contributions to diabetes care have been recognized with numerous national awards.

In addition to welcoming new members, DPAC confirmed its full slate of officers for 2026, underscoring a strong blend of continuity and new leadership. Board Chair Hunter Limbaugh and Treasurer Christina Roth-Sleeper will continue in their roles, providing stability and seasoned guidance for the organization. They will be joined by new appointed officers: Louie Sanchez will serve as First Vice Chair, Bruce Taylor will serve as Second Vice Chair and begin a new three-year term on the DPAC Board, and Jake Johnston will serve as Secretary.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Tekisha and Davida into these leadership roles, and we’re grateful for the continued service of Louie, Jake, and Bruce,” said Hunter Limbaugh, DPAC Board Chair. “Their dedication and expertise will strengthen DPAC’s impact as we continue fighting for policies that protect and improve the lives of people with diabetes.”  

Finally, DPAC extends its deepest gratitude to longtime leader Larry Smith, whose passion has been instrumental in shaping the organization. Smith’s decades of service to diabetes advocacy have left a lasting legacy at DPAC. Smith departs the DPAC Board in 2026 to deepen his involvement with the Diabetes Leadership Council. DPAC honors his extraordinary contributions and the indelible imprint he leaves on its mission and community.

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Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition Announces New Board Members, 2026 and Executive Committee, Honors Founding Leader’s Legacy

January 5, 2026

‍

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), a national diabetes and healthcare advocacy organization advancing patient-first policies at the local, state, and federal levels, today announced the appointment of two new board members and the confirmation of its 2026 officer slate.

DPAC proudly welcomes Tekisha Everette, PhD, MPA, MPH, CPH, and Davida Kruger, MSN, APN-BC, BC-ADM, to its Board of Directors. Both will begin three-year terms on January 1, 2026.

Tekisha Everette serves as Executive Vice President at Trust for America’s Health, where she helps guide organizational strategy, leads work on emerging policy priorities, and collaborates with national partners and policymakers to advance public health and health equity. A seasoned policy strategist, she previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions in Connecticut and was Managing Director of Federal Government Affairs at the American Diabetes Association. Her career also includes roles in government relations, labor policy, and state government. Everette holds a PhD in Sociology from American University, an MPA from Virginia Tech, and an MPH from Yale University.

Davida Kruger is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner and diabetes expert with more than 40 years of clinical and research experience at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. She has served as a principal investigator on major NIH-funded studies, including EDIC and ACCORD, and has published extensively on diabetes management. A former President of Health Care and Education for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), she has also chaired the ADA Research Foundation and served as editor-in-chief of Diabetes Spectrum and Clinical Diabetes. Her leadership and contributions to diabetes care have been recognized with numerous national awards.

In addition to welcoming new members, DPAC confirmed its full slate of officers for 2026, underscoring a strong blend of continuity and new leadership. Board Chair Hunter Limbaugh and Treasurer Christina Roth-Sleeper will continue in their roles, providing stability and seasoned guidance for the organization. They will be joined by new appointed officers: Louie Sanchez will serve as First Vice Chair, Bruce Taylor will serve as Second Vice Chair and begin a new three-year term on the DPAC Board, and Jake Johnston will serve as Secretary.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Tekisha and Davida into these leadership roles, and we’re grateful for the continued service of Louie, Jake, and Bruce,” said Hunter Limbaugh, DPAC Board Chair. “Their dedication and expertise will strengthen DPAC’s impact as we continue fighting for policies that protect and improve the lives of people with diabetes.”  

Finally, DPAC extends its deepest gratitude to longtime leader Larry Smith, whose passion has been instrumental in shaping the organization. Smith’s decades of service to diabetes advocacy have left a lasting legacy at DPAC. Smith departs the DPAC Board in 2026 to deepen his involvement with the Diabetes Leadership Council. DPAC honors his extraordinary contributions and the indelible imprint he leaves on its mission and community.