A group of prominent diabetes leaders has launched a boycott against the American Diabetes Association (ADA) following an internal review of the June 2026 ejection of five researchers from the ADA Scientific Sessions. The researchers were removed for distributing an editorial criticizing federal funding cuts. While the ADA's review blamed the attendees for violating conduct codes, boycott organizers, including editors of the journal Diabetes Care, demand an independent, external investigation into the organization's leadership.
Scientific Sessions attendee removal incident
- ▪On June 5, 2026, diabetes researchers Steven Kahn, Maureen Gannon, Aaron S. Kelly, Justin R. Ryder, and Desmond A. Schatz were escorted out of the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans
- ▪Following the June 2026 incident, American Diabetes Association CEO Charles D. Henderson released an apology video to the five removed attendees and announced an independent review of the events
- ▪University of Washington professor Irl B. Hirsch and University of Florida professor Michael J. Haller distributed the editorial on June 5, 2026, but were not removed from the meeting
- ▪Diabetes researchers Steven Kahn, Maureen Gannon, Aaron S. Kelly, Justin R. Ryder, and Desmond A. Schatz were removed from the June 2026 meeting for distributing an editorial criticizing National Institutes of Health funding cuts
ADA independent review findings
- ▪The American Diabetes Association's September 1, 2026, statement asserted that onsite security personnel acted appropriately and that the content of the distributed material was unrelated to the removals
- ▪On September 6, 2026, the American Diabetes Association issued a second press release stating that the initial September 1 findings did not consider the full breadth of the investigation
- ▪On September 1, 2026, the American Diabetes Association announced that its Audit and Governance Committee's review concluded the five removed attendees violated the attendee code of conduct
Diabetes leaders boycott announcement
- ▪The boycott letter was drafted by approximately 20 diabetes leaders, with University of Florida professor Michael J. Haller writing the initial draft
- ▪The boycott letter signees stated they will no longer attend upcoming American Diabetes Association meetings, including the 2027 Scientific Sessions, or participate in other organizational activities
- ▪On September 10, 2026, Steven Kahn posted a letter on LinkedIn announcing that a group of diabetes leaders is boycotting the American Diabetes Association
- ▪The boycott letter stated that the boycott will continue until the American Diabetes Association board permits a formal review of the organization's structure led by independent academic membership
Organizational governance concerns
- ▪University of Washington professor Irl B. Hirsch criticized the American Diabetes Association's investigation as a sham because it was conducted by an internal committee rather than an external group
- ▪Harvard Medical School professor David M. Nathan stated that the current leadership and board of the American Diabetes Association are poorly constituted and unresponsive to professional members' concerns
- ▪The boycott letter requested the establishment of an independent, externally led review committee to evaluate the June 2026 events and the American Diabetes Association's leadership structure
- ▪The American Diabetes Association responded to the boycott by stating they are aware of the concerns and remain focused on serving the millions of people counting on their mission
Diabetes Care journal editorial actions
- ▪Steven Kahn announced that the editorial leadership of the journal Diabetes Care signed the boycott letter and would stop accepting new submissions until the impasse is resolved
- ▪On September 11, 2026, an American Diabetes Association spokesperson stated that the journal Diabetes Care is continuing with regular publication and processes, including accepting submissions
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