Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

My core values of service and justice are central to my commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in health care and academia. As a woman, daughter of first-generation college students, and granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, I was raised with these values and the knowledge that identity, background, and resources influence an individual’s opportunities.

As a medical student in New York prior to Medicaid expansion, I witnessed limited access to medical care contribute to delays in identification and treatment of chronic conditions, often leading to severe and advanced disease. These experiences drew me to Boston Medical Center for its commitment to its mission- a mission I have had the privilege to contribute to as an Internal Medicine resident, Chief Medical Resident, Endocrinology fellow, and clinician-investigator at BMC. My values, experience as a person living with chronic health conditions, and the support of great mentors have led me to devote my career to improving diabetes care quality and equity through both my clinical work and health equity focused research. To this end, I have focused my research on understanding what determines the use of elements of diabetes specialty care- such as advanced diabetes technologies- for those from structurally marginalized backgrounds, and how we can increase access to and uptake of such specialty care.

I firmly believe that collaboration and team science improve research and healthcare delivery, and that the strongest and most effective teams are those that recognize, encourage, and celebrate diverse and complementary skills, viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. As such, I strive to create respectful and inclusive spaces in which individuals can grow and work together towards a common goal- a more equitable future for healthcare. Additionally, I am committed to providing the type of mentorship support I have had the good fortune to receive to support the development of clinicians and scientists who reflect the diversity of those impacted by chronic conditions like diabetes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities
Institutional Roles:
6/2022-10/2023: Clinical Lead, Equity in Diabetes Initiative, Boston Medical Center Health Equity Accelerator
9/2023-present: Member, Faculty Development & Diversity Committee, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Research Funding:
7/2023- 6/2025: National NIH K12 “Diabetes-Docs: Physician-Scientist Career Development Program” Award: # K12DK133995. “Development of Culturally Tailored Diabetes Technology Education for Black and Hispanic Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in a Safety-net Setting”
1/2023- 12/2024: T1DExchange, Inc. “Type two diabetes project”. Increasing equity in CGM prescription for adults with type 2 diabetes using QI methods.

Selected Publications:
• Silver S, Jones KC, Kim EM, Khaw-Marchetta S, Thornton S, Kremer K, Walkey AJ, Drainoni ML, Fantasia KL. “Disparities in diabetes distress and nutrition management among Black and Hispanic Adults: A mixed methods exploration of social determinants”. Sci Diabetes Self Manag Care. 2025. Feb;51(1):24-35.
• Steenkamp D, Brouillard E, Aia C, Fantasia KL, Sullivan C, Atakov-Castillo A, Wolpert H. “Reducing Inequity in the Use of Automated Insulin Delivery Systems by Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: Key Learnings from a Safety Net Diabetes Clinic Program”. Endocr Pract. 2024. Jun;30(6):558-563.
• Ebekozien O, Fantasia KL, Farrokhi F, Sabharwal A, Kerr D. “Technology and health inequities in diabetes care: How do we widen access to underserved populations & utilize technology to improve outcomes for all?”. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024. Mar;26 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):3-13.
• Fantasia KL, Wirunsawanya K, Lee C, Rizo I. “Racial Disparities in Diabetes Technology Use and Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes in a Safety-Net Hospital” J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2021 Mar 10
• Bosch NA, Fantasia KL, Modzelewski KL, Alexanian SM, Walkey AJ. “Racial Disparities in Guideline-concordant Insulin Infusions during Critical Illness” Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2021 Feb; 18(2):368-371.

Educational Activities:
2022-present: Curriculum development for Endocrinology Fellows on health-related social needs and development of local walking tour. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition
2022-present: Faculty leader, Endocrinology Fellowship Health Disparities Journal Club. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

• BMC Research

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In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
diabetes technology
implementation science

Available to Mentor as: (Review Mentor Role Definitions):

• Co-Mentor or Peer Mentor
• Project Mentor