Conference Ejections Trigger ADA Leadership Shake-Up and Internal Review

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has apologized to five researchers removed from its 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans by police and launched an internal review after the incident sparked criticism.

The incident has become a case study in how code-of-conduct enforcement, security decisions, and crisis communications can quickly become intertwined.

According to MedPage Today, the fallout has led to the resignations of President-elect Jennifer Green and Scientific Sessions Planning Committee Chair Mark Atkinson following the controversy.

In a video statement shared online, ADA CEO Charles "Chuck" Henderson apologized directly to the individuals involved and acknowledged the broader concerns raised by the diabetes research community.

"Over the past several days, I spent a great deal of time reflecting on events that occurred during our scientific sessions in New Orleans," Henderson said in a video message. "First and foremost, I want to personally apologize to Dr. Steven Kahn, Dr. Desmond Schatz, Dr. Aaron Kelly, Dr. Maureen Gannon, and Dr. Justin Ryder, who were escorted out and denied access to scientific sessions."

"Many members of our community were disturbed, disappointed, and concerned by what occurred. I have heard your voices. I understand your concerns."

Henderson also confirmed that the association is conducting an internal review of both the decision to remove the researchers and its response to the backlash that followed.

What Happened in New Orleans

The researchers were removed after distributing copies of an editorial criticizing the Trump administration's cuts to the National Institutes of Health and biomedical research funding.

Kahn, who was scheduled to present at the meeting, was barred from delivering his presentation following the incident.

The group argues they were censored for expressing concerns about policies affecting scientific research.

In interviews and public statements following the conference, several of the researchers characterized their removal as an infringement on free expression within the scientific community. 

ADA has maintained that the decision was based on enforcement of conference policies, not the content of the materials being distributed.

"Importantly, these actions were taken because of the violation of conference policies regarding unauthorized distribution of materials — not because of the viewpoints expressed in those materials," the organization said in a statement.

The association's attendee code of conduct prohibits disruptive behavior, including unauthorized protests and demonstrations, and allows attendees to be removed without refund for violations.

What This Means for Planners

While most event codes of conduct focus on harassment and attendee safety, many planners are now reexamining how their policies address protests, advocacy efforts, and other forms of attendee activism.

For planners, the controversy illustrates how code-of-conduct enforcement can quickly evolve into a crisis communications challenge when security personnel, law enforcement, and social media become part of the story.  are involved, and attendees videotape the incident.

"They were handing out photocopies of an article and were not sanctioned to do so by the organizers. We also know that if someone did this at our meeting, they would similarly face potential ejection," said Darryl Diamond, owner of Big White Dog Events.

Diamond said the issue was less about whether organizers had the authority to act and more about how the situation was handled.

"Security should have walked them out quieter or, if that wasn't going to work, asked them to meet with show organizers and ADA leadership in a private room to discuss options," he said.

He also criticized the organization's response after the incident. "ADA leadership did not do an effective job getting in front of the news and telling their side of the story. They did not have a strong crisis communication plan and detailed steps on executing it."

When Should Police Be Called?

Sarah Korbel, events and operations manager for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, said the incident also raises questions about when planners should involve law enforcement.

"I so often see in life in general folks jump to calling the police instead of just having an uncomfortable but very doable conversation," Korbel said. "But now I think I need to also review my code of conduct."

When it comes to attendee activism at professional gatherings, some planners may start with mediation and leadership intervention before escalating attendee disputes to law enforcement. 

Regardless of the outcome of the review, the incident is a clear example of how policies are enforced can be just as consequential as the policies themselves.