Michigan Association of Endocrinologists

Dr. George Grunberger will be presented with the Breakthrough T1D Jane Jospey Cobb Award award/honor at the 41st Annual Detroit Promise Ball on May 15, 2026. As the Promise Ball honoree, Dr. Grunberger will be recognized for his steadfast commitment to Breakthrough T1D’s mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. The Detroit Promise Ball raises critical funds for research focused on curing, preventing, and treating type 1 diabetes (T1D) by offering an exciting night of entertainment, and fun that will support the T1D community and help drive Breakthrough T1D’s mission forward.

Dr. Grunberger is the chairman of Grunberger Diabetes Institute in Bloomfield Hills. He is also Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and of Molecular Medicine & Genetics at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine as well as Visiting Professor at First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic). He is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (Past National and Michigan Chapter President), the American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society, European Association for Study of Diabetes, and American College of Physicians. He serves on the national board of directors of Children With Diabetes.

Dr. Grunberger has been committed to Breakthrough T1D’s, formerly JDRF, mission as a practitioner and researcher for more than 45 years. He has served on the Chapter board of directors and was instrumental in establishing Breakthrough T1D’s TypeOneNation Summit in 2007; serving as chair for the annual educational event which is one of the largest in the nation.

“I am honored to accept the Jane Jospey Cobb award,” said Dr. Grunberger. “Jane, a founding member of the Detroit chapter was a courageous woman whose remarkable dedication, passion for research raised millions of dollars for diabetes research.”

The Jane Jospey Cobb award is presented to individuals and corporations who have distinguished themselves in advancing the mission of Breakthrough T1D through their support of research and education about research. The award is in memory of Jane L. Jospey Cobb, a founding member of the Southeast Michigan Breakthrough T1D chapter who, through her outstanding service, enabled the chapter to raise millions of dollars for diabetes research. Jane died in 1997 at the age of 53 from diabetes complications. Diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 20 month, she lost her sight at age 23. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Jane in her late forties, became a student in Detroit Receiving Hospital’s Visually Handicapped Services Program. She was anticipating going back to school to earn a Master’s degree in English and Psychology and wanted to be up-to-date in the latest technology available to assist the blind. Jane died before she could realize these goals.

As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) invests in the most promising research, advocates for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helps educate and empower individuals facing this condition. This year’s Promise Ball will include silent and live auctions, music from the Detroit Urban Orchestra, and Breakthrough T1D’s signature Fund a Cure program—in which 100% of tax-deductible contributions are committed toward critical Breakthrough T1D research priorities like artificial pancreas technology, and beta cell replacement therapies. For more information on event details including sponsorship, donation and ticket options, auction preview, advance registration, and volunteer opportunities, please visit https://www.breakthrought1d.org/michigannorthernohio/DetroitGala2026 or contact Jessie Jimenez-Schlicht at the SE Michigan Breakthrough T1D chapter at 248-936-1281, jjimenez@BT1D.org.