Francine Kaufman

Throughout her career, Francine Kaufman has pursued research to battle diabetes as well as practical advances to help children who live with the disease.

She has invented several tools for children and families to use to manage diabetes. Her patented snack food called the Extendbar, for example, uses uncooked cornstarch to keep blood sugar stable in types 1 and 2 diabetes patients for up to nine hours. And she has a trademark on the insulin Dosage Slide Card, which helps determine proper insulin dosage.

She also has worked with the Starbright Foundation and Eli Lilly to create a CD-ROM game to help children learn to manage their diabetes.

In addition, Kaufman has pursued research to try to prevent diabetes before it begins as well as work investigating the endocrinology of HIV infection.

In July 2002 Kaufman was sworn in as president of American Diabetes Association.