Our Board

Deanna Adkins

Dr. Deanna Adkins is a mother of three who enjoys caring for patients with a full range of endocrine disorders. She is board-certified in Pediatric Endocrinology and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Duke University. Deanna’s expertise is not limited to the clinical setting. She has been attending diabetes camp for over 20 years and is passionate about the confidence, resilience, and community that the camp and The DFC offer families and adults living with T1D. She is excited to join the board and to support the growth and development of The DFC community! When she is not helping patients, Deanna enjoys running, biking, gardening, and traveling with her family!

Emily Barger

Emily has been thriving with T1D since she was 10 years old, and she can only use the word “thriving” thanks to the amazing community and PMA found at The DFC. Since day one, her endocrinologist told her “a girls gotta’ do what a girls gotta do”, and she has never let diabetes slow her down. That same year, Emily started attending diabetes camp and she has never missed a summer since. Emily has grown from a camper to counselor, Program Coordinator of both the Dreamers and Pathfinder programs to the new Camp Director of Camp Morris as of 2025. She is honored to serve the DFC families and staff members in many capacities.

By day, Emily works as a Graphic Designer at BRG Communications. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Emily resides in Arlington, VA, where she can be found riding her road bike, throwing pottery, or playing volleyball in her free time.

Blair Burns

Blair was diagnosed with T1D in 1991 at age 11, and diabetes camp has been a part of her since the summer of 1992.

With the PMA (positive mental attitude) she found at camp, Blair was able to recognize the value of strong friendships, community, and teamwork through the programs offered. She continued as a camper and then a counselor until 2010. Today, Blair continues to apply and share all the valuable lessons from camp with friends and strangers alike.

After taking time to start her family, Blair has returned with a renewed focus on The DFC and our mission. Through the power of community, Blair’s goal in serving the DFC is to expand the reach of our programs throughout North Carolina, like PMA Airlift and Camp to Community – working together to show the T1D community that they aren’t alone and what joy having a positive outlook in life can provide.

Blair lives in Charlotte with her husband and son.  She is a bowling mom and wife on the weekends. With almost 20 years in the IT industry, she now works as a Client Operations Specialist at AHEAD based out of Chicago. 

Chris Ciapciak

Chris is a devoted father of three who became a passionate advocate for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community three years ago when his son, George, was diagnosed at age 13. His journey as a T1D parent fuels his commitment to helping other families navigate the challenges of a T1D diagnosis, which is what drives his involvement with the DFC leadership team.

Based in Durham, North Carolina, Chris has spent the last 12 years as a Financial Planner at Northwestern Mutual, where he guides families toward financial security and peace of mind. Outside of work, Chris enjoys playing golf, baking sourdough, hanging with his three children, and exploring local farmers’ markets with his girlfriend, Jeanenne.

Lesley Day

Lesley has been a part of our DFC community since the age of 13. Although diagnosed with T1D at the age of 6, it wasn’t until she met Dr. MaryAnn Morris that she attended camp. She’s been a part of this community ever since. Lesley started as a camper, transitioned to a counselor and ultimately leading one of our high adventure programs for years. Many of the DFC Leaders today had Lesley as one of their counselors! Today, she serves the DFC on the board of directors. She is passionate about building this organization to serve the needs of her T1D Community and grow the leaders organically to lead this dream past her.

Outside of the DFC, she is the Founder and Wealth Management Advisor of Solas Financial in Raleigh NC. In her spare time, she loves hiking and being with her family. She resides in Cary, NC with her loving husband, Andrew, and twins, Jake and Griffin, and their furry family member, Oreo.

Tom Derzpolski

Tom attended Florida State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an
emphasis on Public Relations. Before starting BowStern in 2010, Tom was Vice President of one
of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious advertising agencies. When not working with
clients, community involvement is important to Tom.

He is a past board Chair for North Florida’s Red Cross and a board member of Goodwill, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Disc Village, and the First 12. Tom’s leadership has been recognized in the community as the recipient of the Leadership Tallahassee Leader of the Year Award (2019), Rotary Club Ethics in Business Award (2018), and Red Cross Service Above Self Award (2017). In addition, Tom is a decorated veteran who served in the U.S. Navy and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The most important thing to Tom is family. He is married to Stephanie Montford Derzypolski and has three children (Madison, Thomas, and Grey) and two grandchildren (Georgia and Ripp).

Brent Gilbert

Brent Gilbert was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10 and attended diabetes camp that same summer. It was there that he found a community of friends and support that has provided the confidence and positive mental attitude he attributes with helping him live a healthy and full life. After his time as a camper, Brent continued his involvement with camp by volunteering as a counselor for a number of years. The relationships formed through his involvement in camp have been lifelong, and he looks at the DFC and its community as family. Brent’s goal in serving the DFC is to share the positive impact, support, life lessons, and sense of community that he’s been fortunate enough to experience through his involvement with diabetes camp and the DFC family.

Brent lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Holly, and their two sons, Peyton and Logan. Professionally, he works as part of the leadership team for an industrial technology company, focusing on global business development and strategic partnerships.

Patrick Mertes,

Patrick is in constant motion. Since his diagnosis with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 1997, he has refused to let the condition slow him down. He has spent over a decade designing and directing camp and outdoor programs for Outward Bound, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Diabetes Youth Families (DYF). Life with type 1 has offered Patrick the opportunity to expand his T1D community throughout the US, within Central America, and as far south as Santiago, Chile. Patrick has spent the last seven years developing and directing family retreats, residential summer camps, and high-adventure programs for individuals living T1D and their families.

In 2019, Patrick developed the PROJECT 50-IN-50 expedition and became the first person living with T1D to summit the highest peak in each of the 50 US states in just 49 days. Professionally, Patrick works throughout Tennessee as a Territory Business Manager for Dexcom. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, two daughters and son.

Jakub Mieszczak

Jakub Mieszczak was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 14 years old. The following year he started to attend a summer camp for children with diabetes in North Carolina. It was at camp that Jakub first developed a love of caring for children with diabetes and decided to become a pediatric endocrinologist. Jakub progressed from a camper to counselor, medical staff, camp physician and the inaugural Medical Director of Camp Morris until 2024. Dr. Mary Ann Morris greatly influenced Jakub’s professional and personal life and he is honored to be one of the founders of Camp Morris.

Professionally, Dr. Jakub Mieszczak, MD, FAAP is a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Charlotte, NC where he has practiced since completing his formal medical training in 2009. He & his wife Marianne enjoy raising their two children and one dog.

Diana Miller

Diana has been living with T1D for nearly 30 years. She has had the privilege to join in supporting the DFC through volunteering at Camp Morris and now by serving on our Board of Directors. She is a huge believer in the benefits of surrounding oneself in PMA and people who support and understand T1D. She has been thrilled to support other d-camps and diabetes advocacy groups for over 15 years, but Camp Morris is one of the best she has ever been a part of. She encourages all people with diabetes to find joy in all of life’s (and T1D’s) ups and downs. D-camp is a great place to practice this! She has never let diabetes dictate her path—even though it fuels her passion.

Professionally, Diana is a Pediatric Endocrinologist. She was in practice in Western NY and Charlotte, NC before making the leap over to the biotech industry where she is now a Medical Director for a company that develops therapeutics focused on intervening early in autoimmune diseases. She lives in Charlotte where she is a wife and mother to two vibrant little girls.

Dejae Stephens

Originally from Spartanburg, SC, Dejae moved to Charlotte in 2022. Her journey with the Diabetes Family Connection began while working at Peds Endo, where she was introduced to the organization. After spending a year immersing herself in the world of insulin pumps, CGMs, and blood sugar trends, Dejae embarked on her volunteer journey, joining the medical staff at Camp Morris in 2023.

A registered nurse for four years, Dejae has gained experience in both adult and pediatric care. Currently, she fulfills her dream job as a nurse at Levine Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU. Inspired by the resilience, imagination, and optimism of children, she considers them her true superheroes.

In her free time, Dejae enjoys indulging in her favorite TV shows, exploring new hiking trails, staying active at the gym, spending quality time with friends and family, and constantly seeking new experiences and knowledge.

Jessi Thaller-Moran

Jessi Thaller-Moran was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 6. She found her way to diabetes camp in the summer of 1997, where she proudly ended her first week of camp by acting as a tour guide for her parents and explaining that PMA, or Positive Mental Attitude, is “a pretty big deal around here.” The lesson stuck and Jessi, along with her younger brother and sister, have remained involved as campers and counselors ever since. Chances are good that if you’ve been to camp, you know a Thaller.

Jessi is a partner with the law firm of Brooks Pierce, where her practice focuses on helping companies with employee management. She lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband Paul, two kids, and two furry dog children.

Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas has lived with T1D for over 28 years and is a founding member of The DFC. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2019 and was the inaugural Camp Director for Camp Morris until 2024. Justin understands the lifelong impact that diabetes camp can have on a child and a family, stating, “Personally, diabetes camp remains one of the most influential experiences of my life and has taught me that I’m in control of my life, not diabetes.”

Professionally, Justin is the Senior Territory Manager for Tandem Diabetes Care. He’s the father of two beautiful children and lives in Charlotte with his rockstar wife, Julie!

Amanda White

Amanda is a community-focused banking professional passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals. She has been in the banking industry for 30 years and currently manages the Boone, NC, Banking Center for First Horizon Bank. She proudly served as a Champion for the first Camp to Community event in Boone, NC, in 2024 and has seen the impact of The DFC community firsthand through her niece Caroline. Caroline has attended Camp Morris since age seven and met her two best friends there.

Amanda is on a mission to expand the PMA culture of the DFC to Western North Carolina and can’t wait for the opportunity to support the extended family members who love someone with T1D. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with her husband, two children, two beagles, and watching soccer, especially if her son is on the pitch!