The American Diabetes Association, the nation’s largest voluntary health organization leading the fight to Stop Diabetes®, is pleased to announce that Vanessa Jones Briscoe, PhD, NP, CDE of Nashville, TN has been named to its Board of Directors.

She is a member of Kappa Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha which is based in Nashville. She was initiated at Tennessee State University.

Dr. Briscoe is an Assistant Research Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and serves as Director for the Cardiovascular Health Disparities Project implemented by the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance. In addition, Briscoe is a board certified Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator with more than 20 years of experience in the health care arena.

As a member of its Board, Briscoe is responsible for assisting with oversight of the Association’s business affairs.   Additionally, she will work closely with the Association’s volunteers and staff on activities and initiatives in support of the organization’s mission during her tenure.

Briscoe has been an American Diabetes Association volunteer for 16 years. Her initial involvement included work with the piloting of an African American targeted initiative to help reduce disparities facing minority and underserved populations. She also serves on the Association’s Adult Strategies Committee. Locally, Briscoe serves as President of the American Diabetes Association Nashville Community Leadership Board.

Briscoe earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and her PhD in Health Services from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050, unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes.

As part of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s health initiative, the Sorority is drawing awareness to the disease and outreaching to the 975 communities worldwide where it has chapters by instructing those it serves on way to prevent and/or manage the disease through lifestyle adjustments.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.