Dave Peterson - Worcester Baseball Executive
Type 1 Diabetes Success Story
Dave Peterson is known to many baseball fans throughout Central Massachusetts simply as "Peterman." What many don't know is that the former Worcester Bravehearts General Manager was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008 at the age of 29.
Dave was diagnosed while working as the on-field announcer for Worcester Tornadoes baseball games. He was admitted to the hospital with a blood sugar of 760! During his stay at UMass Memorial Hospital, Peterman received a crash course in his "new normal." While he admits diabetes requires lots of daily effort to keep blood glucose within a healthy range, he also refuses to allow it to get in the way of his personal and professional success. In the video, he compares managing diabetes to balancing on a basketball.
"Peterman" credits his insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor with effectively lowering his A1c. He incorporates diabetes management into his busy lifestyle.
For six years, he co-chaired the American Diabetes Association's Central Massachusetts Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes, which was held at UMass Chan Medical School before the ADA merged the event with the Boston event. He helped with the committee’s public relations, advocacy, and fundraising efforts.
Dave received the Worcester Business Journal's "40 Under Forty" award and was twice named the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Executive of the Year. Under his leadership, the Bravehearts won league championships in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019.