Nadia Al-Samarrie, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Diabetes Health Magazine, has selflessly dedicated her career to educating and informing patients and healthcare professionals for over 25 years. As one of the country’s most passionate diabetes advocates, Nadia has worked tirelessly to ensure that diabetes patients receive the support and education they need in order to properly manage their diabetes.
She was not only born into a family with diabetes, but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview – now Diabetes Health Magazine.
Her passion for working in the diabetes community stemmed from her personal experience and loss. Her mother, brother and two grandmothers all passed away from diabetes complications. She has used her experience as a caretaker to forge a career in helping others.
Her education began at the University of Baghdad. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Marketing from San Francisco State University. Throughout her studies, Nadia worked on enhancing her skills in mass communications by working as the marketing director for the local TV station Channel 26.
In 1990, Nadia and her former business partner began their career advocating for people with diabetes by opening a medical business in San Francisco called Sugar Happy Diabetes Supplies. Six months later, they began Diabetes on the Dial, a radio show sponsored by LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company. Working as both co-host and co-producer, Nadia used this outlet to continue to pursue her passion in educating and connecting people with diabetes across the country.
Diabetes on the Dial featured interviews from world-class experts in the field of diabetes, and Nadia gained considerable attention from the diabetes community for her educational contributions. She worked to bridge the educational gap by putting diabetes specialists in touch with patients who were in need of a second opinion. As the demand for broadcast transcripts grew, a monthly publication called Diabetes Interview emerged to serve as a resource for people living with diabetes.
Now known as Diabetes Health, the publication reaches diabetes patients across the country by providing practical and educational health information. Over 15 million copies have been produced and personally funded by Nadia and delivered at no cost to the healthcare professionals who use her publication as an educational resource. Diabetes Health Magazine can also be found in Health Mart pharmacies.
Diabetes Health Has Received Several Impressive Nominations:
- Nominated for a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Wego.com in 2014
- A nomination for “Best in Health” for Diabetes Health Magazine by Western Publishers Association in 2003 and 2012
- A nomination for “Best in Trade” for Diabetes Health Pharmacist digital magazine by the Western Publishers Association in 2013
Innovative Use of Technology
Nadia’s innovative use of technology – being the first in her industry to produce and deliver digital magazines, online videos, apps for the iPhone, iPad, Amazon, and Google platforms, e-comics, and crossword puzzles – gives her an unrivaled reputation as an innovator and trend-setter. She is known for being ahead of the curve in education delivery and scalability. She is one of the most well-respected, passionate advocates and premiere expert for the diabetes patient.
The Diabetes Health website was launched in 2006, followed by the creation of Diabetes Health TV in 2007.
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business and website have been sited, recognized by and published in the legendary Herb Caen’s column in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Wall St. Journal, Ann Landers’ popular advice column, Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics and many other media outlets.
Her dedication to improving the lives of people who are living with diabetes has made her one of the best resources for patients, healthcare providers, and pharmacies across the country.
The diabetes community, national media outlets, and healthcare professionals have praised her contributions for improving the health of her readers by using her personal experience in writing articles on a variety of topics.
Mission Statement
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes—both newly diagnosed and experienced—as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
Publication of advertisements and product profiles does not necessarily constitute endorsement of a product or service by this organization. Information in Diabetes Health is not intended to serve as medical advice. Check with your healthcare provider before modifying any aspect of your treatment.
Our Staff |
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Position | Person |
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief: | Nadia Al-Samarrie |
Content Editor | Diabetes Health Staff |
Art Director | Susan Pinkerton |
Web Management | Spencer King |
Circulation & Press | Miranda King |
Business Development and Advertising | Adrian Al-Samarrie |
Accounting | “Matt” Mathewson |
Visit the Contact Us page for address, phone, and other contact info.
Advisory Board
Endocrinology Advisers |
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Richard K. Bernstein, MD, FACE, FACN, CWS, FACCWS Diabetes Center Mamaroneck, NY |
Nancy Bohannon, MD, FACP, FACE Monteagle Medical Center San Francisco, CA |
Daniel Einhorn, MD, FACE Medical Director Scripps/Whittier Diabetes Institute La Jolla, CA |
Allen B. King, MD, FACE, CDE Medical Director Diabetes Care Center Salinas, California |
Lois Jovanovic, MD Director and Chief Scientific Officer Sansum Diabetes Research Institute Santa Barbara, California |
Peter Lodewick, MD Medical Director Diabetes Care Center Birmingham, AL |
Alan Marcus, MD Endocrinology Laguna Hills, CA |
Robert J. Tanenberg, MD, FACP Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC |
Nurse Education Adviser |
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Jane Jeffrie Seley, GNP, MPH, MSN, CDE Diabetes Nurse Practitioner New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center New York, NY |
Nephrology Adviser |
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Robert C. Stanton, MD Chief of Nephrology, Joslin Diabetes Center Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA |
Neuropathy Adviser |
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Aaron Vinik, MD, PhD Director Diabetes Research Institute Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA |
Diabetes Education Adviser |
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Gary Arsham, MD, PhD California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, CA |
Public Health Education Adviser |
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Frederick S. Mayer, RPh, MPH. President, PPSI/PCDE San Rafael, CA |
Public Health Education Adviser |
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Frederick S. Mayer, RPh, MPH. President, PPSI/PCDE San Rafael, CA |
Pump Therapy Adviser |
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Bruce W. Bode, MD Atlanta Diabetes Association Atlanta, GA |
Psychosocial Adviser |
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William H. Polonsky, PhD, CDE Clinical Professor of Psychiatry University of California San Diego, CA |
Foot Care Adviser |
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Neil M. Scheffler, DPM, FACFAS Baltimore Podiatry Group Baltimore, MD |
Pharmacy Advisers |
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R. Keith Campbell, RPh, CDE Professor, Pharmacy Dept. Washington State University Pullman, WA |
Pharmacy Advisers |
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R. Keith Campbell, RPh, CDE Professor, Pharmacy Dept. Washington State University Pullman, WA |
John R. White, Jr., PA, Pharm.D Professor, Dept. of Pharmacotherapy College of Pharmacy Washington State University Spokane Spokane, WA 99210-1495 |
Exercise Advisers |
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Kris Berg, EdD Professor, Physical Ed. Dept. University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE |
Sheri Colberg-Ochs, PhD Professor of Exercise Science Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA |
Pediatric Educator Advisers |
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Jean Betschart Roemer, MSN, RN, CPNP, CDE Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA |
Denise Richards, MSN, FNP, CDE Mass. General Hospital for Children Pediatric Endocrinology Boston, MA |
Nutrition Advisor |
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Silke Ullmann, MPH, RD, RYT Registered Dietitian San Francisco, CA |