Revolutionizing Type 1 Diabetes Care: Dr. Monica Gomberg and Blue Circle Health

About Blue Circle Health

Blue Circle Health (BCH), a U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3), provides free virtual clinical care, emotional support, and educational resources for adults living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 11 states across the country. The organization’s mission is to care for and empower as many individuals living with T1D as possible.

As a founding physician, Dr. Monica Gomberg—vice president of clinical care and a practicing endocrinologist at BCH—was instrumental in shaping its innovative virtual program. A June 2025 study in Diabetes, co-authored by Gomberg, reported significant improvements in diabetes-related distress across nine of the 10 assessed categories among participants in Blue Circle Health’s program.

When discussing BCH’s novel approach, Gomberg said, “People living with T1D fight two wars: the first is the fight to stay alive and thrive against a 24/7 incurable disease. And the second is the fight to access what they need to survive. It shouldn’t be this hard.”

Monica Gomberg’s Backstory

After receiving her MD from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Gomberg pursued a career in long-term patient care, aiming to serve others while forming meaningful connections with her patients.

“Our world is impacted by so many different people and things, and I felt the best way to interact with someone was to learn what influences their world.” Gomberg went on to say, “Life with diabetes is the epitome of that. No matter what you keep constant, there are so many variables thrown a person’s way, and to be a great doctor, you need to ask questions to understand those variables for the person in front of you, which are very different from the next person on your schedule.”

Prior to her role at BCH, Gomberg was a partner in a busy inpatient/outpatient practice that attracted patients across three state lines. “I saw a very high volume of patients and developed meaningful professional relationships. I learned about their families, and, in turn, they saw me through a wedding and two pregnancies.”

Despite the patient engagement she enjoyed, the heavy workload took its toll. “I was giving as much as I could, but I felt that my patients still wound up with so little. I could give samples, I could give support, I could provide well-researched medical advice — but I had to do it in a rushed appointment, without other services to offer. I felt that there had to be something else out there. That led me to find Blue Circle Health, and the rest is history.”

Enter Blue Circle Health: A Forward-Thinking Cause

Gomberg said BCH’s inspiring mission to transform healthcare by serving patients holistically was the reason she joined the program. “It was clear from our CEO, Dr. Leonard D’Avolio, that patient-centricity was our guiding principle, a strong company culture was vital for success, and all decisions were data-driven. This vision invigorated me, and I felt I had found my professional home.”

Shortly after joining the team as an endocrinologist, Gomberg became the vice president of clinical care. “I had the invaluable opportunity to lead the development of our current care model with the help of our amazing team,” she explained.

Blue Circle Health's Innovative Services

At BCH, patients receive personalized clinical care, peer support, and direction via telehealth communication (phone, video, and text) for up to six months.

Most importantly, Blue Circle Health is fully funded, offering free, all-inclusive telehealth services in select states. As BCH delivers care remotely, it saves time and transportation costs, allowing for earlier detection of problems.

Thanks to contributions from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT), a philanthropy known for its generous donations to type 1 causes, BCH can offer services free of charge. The $45 million grant enables the services to be provided at no cost and without constraints imposed by insurance reimbursement rules.

“We are so fortunate to be fully funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust,” said Gomberg. “We have received two consecutive three-year grants to date. Three years is the longest funding duration they can grant at a time. The funding that we have allows us to expand throughout Eastern and Central Time Zones.”

“By taking away the systems surrounding reimbursement and care requirements, we can spend time learning, listening, and then delivering care in the best way possible,” said Gomberg. “Through deepening and widespread partnerships, removal of barriers, and an open door to share our learnings, the future for BCH can be based on what our patients need, and literally nothing else.”

A New Model in Whole-Person Care

Making the shift from a for-profit company with financial metrics to a nonprofit with a focus on individualized care was profoundly transformative and rewarding for Gomberg. “Operating outside of conventional healthcare reimbursement structures has been the biggest challenge. It requires us, all too often, to fight against the concept of ‘It’s just too good to be true.’ We often need to encourage others to consider thinking outside the box and imagine a system as it deserves to be, not as it is.”

“We are working hard to build trust in the diabetes space,” she added. “We have the data and participant stories behind us to show that this model is working and improving lives. At BCH, the term ‘whole-person care’ signifies our understanding that comprehensive well-being for individuals with T1D extends beyond what a single physician can provide in a traditional office visit.”  

Comprehensive, Collaborative Care at BCH

“In my previous practice, I attempted to integrate education, counseling, prescription management, prior authorization discussions, and external referrals into a single 20-minute appointment,” said Gomberg. “This often resulted in a hurried experience, leaving both myself and the patient feeling unsatisfied.”

“While designing the care program at BCH, we intentionally built our services to address these shortcomings. The endocrinologist is merely one component of our comprehensive approach, unlike other settings where the endocrinologist may be the sole available resource–assuming access is even possible.”

BCH offers a collaborative care approach with the following independent services and internal programs: 

• Diabetes Education and Nutrition
• Case Management
• Diabetes Supportive Counseling
• T1D Support Guides
• Insurance Navigation
• Endocrinology Care
• Connection to Community
• Prescription Assistance Program (financial support for those who qualify)
• Introduction to CGM Program (with free CGMs for those without sustainable access)

Patients can choose and utilize as many or as few of those services that fit their needs. All services are provided virtually and are available in English and/or Spanish. 

BCH Partners with Existing Providers

Gomberg reiterated that the most effective healthcare is delivered collaboratively with a participant’s existing care team, and continuity of care is a priority of BCH. “Our program is provided for up to six months, and patients can re-enroll one year after their initial enrollment.”

Its enrollment criteria stipulate that participants either have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or an endocrinologist (or are willing to establish care with one). “We also assist patients in locating nearby clinics for appointments. This ensures that individuals have the necessary prescriptions for their insulin and supplies for the long term,” she said.

Furthermore, BCH maintains communication with existing care teams. “We transmit clinical notes to these teams, fostering a collaborative approach to patient care rather than operating in isolation,” said Gomberg. “We also conduct monthly partnership meetings, inviting all referring healthcare teams and clinicians to receive updates, discuss clinical cases, and provide feedback to our team.”

BCH is Breaking Down Barriers

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BCH assists patients in underserved and rural areas. “Nearly 70% of the counties in the United States do not have an endocrinologist,” said Gomberg. “This is called an endocrinology desert and translates to almost 50 million Americans who don’t have access to specialty care for conditions such as type 1 diabetes, and this is correlated with poorer outcomes in those areas.” 

“To bridge this gap, Blue Circle Health exists virtually to allow access to care from wherever the patient is,” said Gomberg. “We currently serve our program in 11 states, and we are rapidly expanding.”

In each designated state, BCH serves the entire population of individuals living with T1D.

“Imagine never having access to an endocrinologist - whether it is because one doesn’t exist within hours from your home, or they don’t accept your insurance, or they simply can’t see you for a year,” she said. “Now imagine you can sit down at work, at home, at your local community center - and with the click of a button, access not only an endocrinologist, but an entire team dedicated to talking about and serving you and your T1D. It shouldn’t matter where you live or what you can afford, everyone deserves access to compassionate and informed T1D care.”

As of July 2025, BCH is available in 11 U.S. states, including:

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Florida
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• Ohio
• Vermont

Gomberg said BCH plans to expand across the East Coast and the Central Time Zone, then grow its team to the remainder of the country. “Each state has very unique regulations and requirements, and so it takes time and exploration. Our goal is to be available for every adult who lives with T1D.” 

Who is Eligible for BCH?

• Any individual with T1D, age 18 or older
• Living in one of the eligible states (see above)
• Speak English and/or Spanish
• Have access to the internet, a smartphone or a computer
• Either have a primary care provider or be open to being connected to one
• Not currently pregnant

Every T1D Journey Looks Different

Each patient’s journey at Blue Circle Health is distinct, reflecting the unique lives and T1D experiences of every individual, Gomberg explained. Blue Circle helps with whatever specific goals need to be met, whether it’s meeting with an endo, nutritionist, or navigating insurance.

Full Circle Support

Gomberg shared the story of one BCH patient, who had to take three buses to and from each clinic appointment and for every pharmacy pickup. On several occasions, bystanders called the police, mistaking his insulin injections for drug use. He was also evicted from his home.

“As you can imagine, there was a hierarchy of needs here, and adjusting his insulin was not one of them,” said Gomberg. “He diligently came to every endo appointment with me — but what he really needed in those early days were meetings with our case manager who was able to identify a stable housing situation, and appointments with a diabetes supportive counselor to talk about the distress, and discuss financial support to cover his insulin so that he could use his own funds to pay for temporary housing where he could safely refrigerate his insulin.”

“To me, this highlights the fact that T1D touches all aspects of life, and it requires so much of the person living with it – it deserves so much more of our system,” she said. “And I am grateful that we can do that here at Blue Circle.”

T1D Support Guide

Upon enrollment, you will be assigned a T1D Support Guide, an individual who will assist you in navigating the program and serve as your personal point of contact throughout your participation. “From there, you have the flexibility to schedule any/all service line appointments as frequently or infrequently as desired,” said Gomberg.

When patients complete the programs, BCH invites them to continue monthly meet-ups.

“For instance, some individuals may opt for weekly educational sessions until they feel confident with a specific topic, while others may primarily request a one-time case manager visit to connect them with financial resources in the community, despite having a comprehensive in-person care team. The possibilities are endless.”

BCH Special Events

BCH hosts various virtual community events each month, including educational webinars on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), support groups, cooking classes, and group sessions in both English and Spanish.

“We partner with organizations like The Diabetes Link, Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF), diaTribe, and Touched by Type 1 to co-host webinars highlighting their programs (and vice-versa),” said Gomberg.

While the group sessions are private and exclusive to program participants, all webinars and cooking classes are open to the public. The list of upcoming events and recordings of past events is available on the website’s events page. 

Advice to the Newly Diagnosed

Gomberg advises newly diagnosed T1Ds to use their voices to say what they need and remember you are not alone. “There are so many communities out there that serve many different people and walks of life. I have witnessed so many T1D-focused groups welcoming others with open arms. Your PCP or endocrinologist can even help connect you with one that is right for you.”

“I would also stress that if you are in a state that Blue Circle Health serves, go to the website, click on the button to enroll, and within just a few days, you will be set on a journey of support and understanding. Our goal is to serve as many people with T1D as possible - and we are just getting started.”

For More Information on BCH:

Contact the Blue Circle Health team at 1-888-404-4813 or email: info@bluecirclehealth.org

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