September 9th, 2026

Dear Members of the Board:

At the 2026 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, five senior physician/scientist members of the ADA were forcibly removed and banned from the meeting for distributing a Diabetes Care editorial on federal research-funding cuts. ADA leadership accused the New Orleans Five of disrupting the meeting, but video and witness reports directly refute such preposterous charges. On July 9th, in an egregious attack on editorial independence, ADA leadership blocked the publication of six opinion pieces and one editorial accepted for publication in Diabetes Care related to the events that occurred in New Orleans.

In response, numerous senior leaders resigned or issued statements of protest, and every living Banting Medalist and member of the ADA Emeritus Council wrote the Board to express their dissatisfaction with ADA’s actions. Likewise, more than 8000 supporters signed a Change.Org petition condemning the actions of ADA leadership and, on July 21, 2026, more than 500 current and past ADA members, many of whom have served or are currently serving as editors, committee members, and volunteer leaders wrote demanding (1) the resignation or removal of CEO Charles “Chuck” Henderson and others involved in the recent ADA actions; (2) a genuinely independent investigation by parties with no prior relationship to the ADA; (3) an unconditional public apology to the five physicians; (4) and restoration of Diabetes Care's editorial independence. 

Since then, the ADA offered shifting justifications, no apology, and, despite the CEO's June 10th promise, no truly independent review. On September 1, 2026, the ADA sent out a press release saying that their own Audit and Governance Committee, which reports to the very Board under scrutiny, had concluded their investigation and that the results defended the Association's conduct towards the professional members on June 5. This announcement was timed alongside a STAT News op-ed in which CEO Henderson defended these same conclusions. Shockingly, less than one week later, the ADA Board released a second statement acknowledging that they had not yet actually reviewed the findings of the internal investigative committee. The distribution of a press release to the public summarizing the committee's conclusions prior to a review of the actual committee report is irresponsible at best and further erodes our trust in this process.

We do not accept the results of the internal investigation of the events that occurred in New Orleans nor the subsequent actions of ADA administrative leadership.  We again demand the establishment of an independent, externally led review committee to not only consider the events in New Orleans and how they were followed up in subsequent actions of the Board, but more importantly to review ADA's current leadership structure. It is now clear to us that the ADA needs a major reorganization at the level of the Board to ensure that the physicians and scientists who founded the organization, along with other professional members, and those living with and affected by diabetes and obesity have a full voice in control of the organization.

In our previous letters, we stated that, absent changes that seriously addressed our concerns, we would consider rescinding our memberships, withholding our dues, and withdrawing our participation from ADA activities. More than three months have now passed since the events at the 2026 Scientific Sessions, and more than six weeks have passed since the Board first received our demands. The Board has taken no meaningful action. 

We, the undersigned physicians, scientists, diabetes educators, nurses, dietitians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, other mental health providers, social workers, and all other providers of care to people living with diabetes or obesity, along with ADA donors and people living with diabetes or obesity, find that the actions and statements of ADA leadership and the Board no longer represent our views or opinions. 

Therefore, effective immediately, we are boycotting the American Diabetes Association. 

To be clear, we are suspending all activities performed in support of the American Diabetes Association, including but not limited to:

1.    Planning of or attendance at any meetings led by ADA leadership or the board, including the 2027 ADA Scientific Sessions 

2.    Any board-led activities regarding the investigation of the events at the 2026 Scientific Sessions or the sham report generated by the so-called “independent” committee. 

3.    All other ADA activities, presentations, fundraisers, grant reviews, manuscript reviews, journal management, manuscript submissions, or position statements

This boycott will remain in place until the ADA Board of Directors allows a formal review of the overall structure and function of the ADA led by an independent academic leader and focused on having the ADA properly represent its professional membership.  In the absence of meeting this minimal requirement, we believe the best interests of the professional members as well as people living with diabetes and obesity are best served by aligning with other organizations, including existing or potentially newly formed societies/associations focused on diabetes, endocrinology, obesity, and metabolism. 

The ADA was founded by physicians and scientists who understood that this organization's strength flows from the diabetes community it serves, not from the administrators who have now sullied the organization’s reputation.  Each of us remains fully committed to the ADA's stated mission, and we are equally committed to bringing the work of the organization to a halt until the Board acknowledges the consequences of its actions and makes the meaningful, structural change we have already requested. 

The time for action is now. In solidarity with those affected by, and living with, diabetes, we, the undersigned, affirm this Notice of Boycott of all activities of and for the ADA.

Restore the trust. Restore the mission.