Five days after five members of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) were removed from its annual scientific sessions in New Orleans for distributing an editorial criticizing federal research cuts, ADA CEO Charles Henderson issued an apology on Wednesday to those expelled and the wider diabetes community.
“First and foremost, I want to personally apologize to Dr. Steven Kahn, Dr. Desmond Schatz, Dr. Aaron Kelly, Dr. Maureen Gannon, and Dr. Justin Ryder, who were escorted out and denied access to scientific sessions, regardless of the circumstances that led to those events,” Henderson stated in a three-minute video. “I recognize the impact that experience had on each of you. I am deeply sorry for the hurt, frustration, and the pain that resulted.”
The editorial distributed, published in one of ADA’s journals and labeled as the authors’ views and not the ADA’s, raised concerns about reduced funding and changes to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant-making process. Initially, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was to be the keynote speaker but withdrew; NIH senior adviser Richard Woychik spoke instead in the hall where the editorial was distributed.
Henderson emphasized ADA’s commitment to sustaining NIH support.
“The ADA will continue to advocate for robust NIH funding, support the pursuit of scientific discovery, and advocate for the broader research community whose work advances knowledge, drives innovation, and ultimately improves the lives of people living with diabetes, obesity, and related conditions.”
The incident left conference attendees shocked as police and security escorted the five individuals out of the venue. As news of the event spread, many expressed disbelief and criticized the perceived censorship of viewpoints critical of Trump administration policies.
“I actually, literally, when I heard that this happened, I thought it was a joke,” John Buse, a past ADA president, told STAT on Monday. “To me, it was inconceivable.”
Reflecting on the ADA’s apology on Wednesday, Buse remarked, “It is a great first step. Follow-through on the steps outlined will be the next step. And explicit clarification of the rights of ADA members and policies of ADA staff will seal the deal.”
Mark Atkinson, who resigned as chair of the scientific session committee on Saturday, shared a cautious stance after viewing Henderson’s message. Atkinson, the ADA eminent scholar for diabetes research and a professor at the University of Florida, commented, “Time will tell if these responses will offset the concerns from ADA members and its constituency. Perhaps through an unfortunate situation, some long-term good will come from this. It’s a wake-up call for the community, and we need to find better ways to work together as a team to make our voices heard for the interests of those with diabetes.”
Henderson also addressed the concerns of other ADA members who were disturbed by the incident. “I have heard your voices, I understand your concerns, and I know that trust, once shaken, must be earned back through actions and not just words,” he said.
The ADA has initiated a review of the events from Friday and the subsequent responses over the weekend, which initially defended its actions and cited IRS rules for 501(c)(3) organizations.
“I believe we must also begin the work of healing,” Henderson stated. “What transpired is not reflective of who I am, the values I hold, or the way I was raised. I will work hard to bring our community back together to build on the progress we have collectively made for those affected by diabetes.”
Jay Skyler, an endocrinologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, expressed skepticism, noting, “I am underwhelmed. Too little, and way too late.”
STAT’s coverage of chronic health issues is supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.
