Company\Resources\Ep. 34 | Unpacking the American Diabetes Association 2024 Scientific Sessions with Dominique Williams

Ep. 34 | Unpacking the American Diabetes Association 2024 Scientific Sessions with Dominique Williams

in-the-know-with-nina

podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode of In the Know with Nina, Dr. Nina Crowley is joined by Dr. Dominique Williams, Adult Nutrition Medical Director at Abbott, to reflect on their experience attending the 2024 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions. As first-time attendees in their current roles, they dive into the critical themes from the conference, including the integration of obesity medicine into diabetes care, and the increasing emphasis on body composition, sleep health, and personalized patient metrics.

Together, they highlight the evolving conversations around chronic disease management and the need to move beyond weight-centric measures. With a focus on patient-centered care, Dr. Williams and Dr. Crowley explore how language, communication style, and shared decision-making can influence outcomes—and why sleep, behavior, and lived experience must be valued alongside scientific innovation.

Key Takeaways

There's a growing shift from weight-based metrics to body composition in diabetes care.
Sleep health is gaining recognition as a foundational element of metabolic health.
Shared decision-making and asking “what matters to you?” can transform patient care.
Patients are now more informed and engaged, requiring nuanced, evidence-based communication.
New therapies, including gene therapy and GLP-1 innovations, offer exciting potential but need context and clarity for patients.
Integrating obesity and diabetes care requires clinicians to update approaches and embrace continuous learning.

About Dominique Williams, MD, MPH, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM

Dr. Dominique Williams is the Adult Nutrition Medical Director at Abbott, with over 19 years of experience in patient-centered care. She is double board-certified in Obesity Medicine and Pediatrics, and serves as Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Williams has led local and national initiatives to address health disparities, and is committed to advancing equity-focused approaches in medical training and practice. Her research and publications focus on mentoring, obesity care, and curriculum development.