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Two University of Florida diabetes researchers have received top honors from the American Diabetes Association’s Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia area office.

Mark Atkinson has been awarded the American Diabetes Association’s Outstanding Research Achievement Award. He was selected based on nominations from the group’s volunteers for his contributions and dedication to diabetes research.

Atkinson is the S. family/American Diabetes Association professor for diabetes research at UF's College of Medicine and director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gene Therapy Center for the Prevention of Diabetes and Its Complications at the University of Florida and the University of Miami.

Dr. Desmond Schatz was awarded the Distinguished Service in the Cause of Diabetes Award, which honors health professionals who have improved the lives of people with diabetes in their community through their commitment to clinical care, education and research. Schatz, who serves on the ADA’s professional education committee, is a professor of pediatrics who heads the Center for Diabetes Excellence at Shands at UF.

The awards were presented at the organization’s annual volunteer appreciation and recognition banquet Nov. 30 In Jacksonville. Both Atkinson and Schatz received a plaque.

In addition, the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes received the Pioneer in Diabetes Awareness and Education award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has made it a priority to further diabetes awareness and education in the community. UF physician Dr. Janet Silverstein, a professor of pediatrics who holds affiliate appointments in the departments of community health and family medicine and clinical psychology at UF’s College of Medicine, is the camp’s medical director.