ADA CEO apologizes for ejecting scientists who distributed critical editorial
6 verified4 unconfirmed1 contested
The chief executive of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) issued a video apology on Wednesday for the removal of five scientists from the organization’s annual scientific sessions in New Orleans. The scientists were escorted out by police last Friday after distributing copies of an editorial published in an ADA journal that criticized the Trump administration’s policies on biomedical research funding. ADA CEO Charles Henderson personally apologized to the five researchers and acknowledged the hurt and frustration the incident caused. The removal occurred outside a keynote speech originally scheduled to be given by National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, who canceled; senior NIH official Rick Woychik spoke in his place. Henderson’s apology marked a shift from earlier statements by the ADA that defended the ejection, citing the conference’s code of conduct. The organization has commissioned a review of the events and the initial response.
What’s verified
ADA CEO Charles Henderson posted a video apology on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to the five scientists who were ejected.
The scientists were removed from the ADA annual meeting in New Orleans on Friday, June 5, for distributing copies of an editorial from ADA’s journal Diabetes Care that expressed concern about federal research cuts and changes to NIH grant-making.
The five scientists included Steven Kahn, Desmond Schatz, Aaron Kelly, and Justin Ryder. A fifth scientist was identified in one source as Irl Hirsch and in another as Maureen Gannon.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was originally scheduled as the keynote speaker but canceled; senior NIH official Rick Woychik (also referred to as Richard Woychik) delivered the speech instead.
Police escorted the scientists from the conference, took their badges, and threatened arrest if they tried to return.
The ADA initially defended the ejections, saying the scientists’ behavior violated the conference code of conduct.
Where accounts differ
The fifth scientist among the five removed is reported differently: one source names Irl Hirsch, while another names Maureen Gannon. The sources also differ on the editorial’s exact language—one describes it as “sharply criticizing” the Trump administration for “damage and destruction,” while the other says it “expressed concern” about diminished funding and changes to the grant-making process.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that police shoved at least one scientist during the removal; the other source did not mention any physical contact.
One source noted that the ADA initially cited IRS rules governing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as a reason for its actions; the other source did not include that detail.
One source reported that Mark Atkinson resigned his position as chair of the scientific session committee on Saturday; the other source did not mention this.
The specific names of all five scientists remain uncertain due to the conflicting reports on the fifth individual.
Key figures
Charles Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association
Steven Kahn, professor of medicine at the University of Washington and editor-in-chief of Diabetes Care
Desmond Schatz, professor at the University of Florida and former ADA president
Aaron Kelly, pediatrics professor at the University of Minnesota
Justin Ryder, researcher at Northwestern University
Irl Hirsch, professor at the University of Washington (named in one source)
Maureen Gannon, named in one source
Jay Bhattacharya, NIH director under the Trump administration
Rick Woychik (Richard Woychik), senior NIH official
John Buse, former ADA president (quoted in one source)
Mark Atkinson, ADA eminent scholar and professor at the University of Florida (named in one source)
Jay Skyler, endocrinologist at the University of Miami (quoted in one source)
Sources: Ars Technica, statnews.com
