Pharmacy Team Among Happy ADA Campers

For kids with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, summer camp poses many challenges. That’s why the American Diabetes Association (ADA) sponsors their own summer camps across the country—staffed with trained healthcare professionals—to ensure that children with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes stay healthy, but don’t miss out on summer fun.  

In July, assistant professor Nick Messinger, PharmD, aluma Leah Fuller(’09), PharmD, and fourth-year PharmD candidates Alison Kehling, Emily Broeg,  Shae Compton and Hanna Burgin joined the medical staff at Camp Korelitz (held at Camp Joy, a 315 acre camp in Warren County in Clarksville, Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton)  for eight days. Here, each pharmacy team was responsible for a cabin of campers and counselors with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. The team conducted blood sugar checks every 3-4 hours and dosing insulin based on carbohydrate counting and physical activity.

"To see first-hand what the children encounter, from 3 a.m. blood sugar checks to counting their carbs at every meal and snack, allowed me to see what they go through on a daily basis,” says Emily Boreg who added, "Witnessing the courage and strength these children demonstrate provided me insight on their daily challenges and will empower me to provide empathy and support to all clients I will service as a pharmacist."

This was the first time UC PharmD students could participate in a diabetes camp as part of their experiential rotations. Additionally, a recent change in Ohio law allows a consult agreement to be signed by physicians to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists.

Both Messinger and Fuller are certified diabetes educators (CDE) and under an agreement signed by the camp’s medical director, they could independently adjust dosing regimens and administer insulin injections to campers. 

"This was a unique and incredibly rewarding experience. I am so happy we were able to share this experience with our students!” says Messinger.