Emilee’s Story

My name is Emilee Herringshaw and I have managed diabetes for 24 years. Since age two, I have experienced the demands, challenges and opportunities of diabetes which feels like the entirety of my life. I have recently begun to appreciate the perspective these experiences have provided me and honor the benefit of such to my future role as a doctor. I am currently pursuing my MD/MBA at UMass Medical School and appreciate the patient perspective in informing my role in the care provision capacity. Throughout my work in advocacy for Type 1 Diabetes, and in my developing role as a medical professional, I aspire to support individuals to have courage in facing challenging situations and to develop connections while navigating the complexities of medical care.

Growing up, I had a challenging relationship with my diabetes, refusing acceptance and certainly doing all I could to outwork the obstacles that compounded upon me. Whether I was running a half marathon or diving into a chemistry textbook, I tried to perceive diabetes as a facet of my experience, but not the driver of my identity or an impairment upon my ability to accomplish what I desired. Despite my ambitious attitude in striving towards the best I could with or without Diabetes in the picture, I encountered challenges in telling friends, accepting my medical identity as part of my self concept, and honoring the forgiveness that is hugely important to a unrelenting and sometimes unpredictable medical condition. As I have embarked on the initial phases of my medical school journey, I have witnessed how this my fortitude has afforded me much success in upholding competing responsibilities academically, extracurricularly and personally. I have also grown in my personal conception of the reality of living with Diabetes and become more proud of what I can do in the company of this extra responsibility, including sharing my store to help others.

In my personal health care management and in that of others, I aspire to be an advocate, continual learner, conversationalist and innovator. I have found that strengthening connections between community members, family relatives, friends and mentors is highly supportive and reinforcing in furthering success. I am fortunate to be in a position to be able to connect my passion professionally to my personal lived experience and area of interest. I am excited to see where my journey takes me next and am fortunate to have the community I do in supporting that growth.

Emilee Herringshaw