Taylor Hamzy, co-founder of Glucose Guards, LLC is a graduate of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX where he achieved High Honors. In addition, Taylor has earned his Board-Certification in Advanced Diabetes Management from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Taylor is currently employed by an Independent Physician Group in Long Island, New York where he specializes in Internal medicine. Taylor has traveled to over 60 countries and almost every continent.

During his travels he had a near death experience in rural Ghana where he suffered a tremendous sea urchin injury that left him with over 150 venomous sea urchin spines lodged throughout his body. With limited access to healthcare he was forced to remove the majority of spines himself before falling ill to a nearly fatal infection that he battled for 11 days at sea while being transported by ship to Christian Bernard Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa for surgery. Upon his return to the US, he developed Crohn’s disease and then 6 months later was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.

In his relationship with these two chronic illnesses his deep interest in medicine was kindled. He read medical journal after journal and ultimately was able to achieve remission for his chronic diseases with the help of vigorous lifestyle management and now currently lives a healthy and productive life.  

Taylor is one of the primary visionaries behind Glucose Guards. He is a strong proponent of functional and lifestyle medicine as adjuncts to traditional care. He is a classically trained pianist, guitarist, martial artist, rugby player, avid skier, and nature enthusiast.

Dr. Marisa Censi is a Clinical Pharmacist and is Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management. She received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies with a minor is psychology and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Marisa also completed a post-graduate year one (1) residency in community pharmacy at Middleport Family Health Center/University in Buffalo, NY and completed a post-graduate year two (2) residency in ambulatory care at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy.

Marisa comes from a multi-cultural, interfaith family and was the first to pursue a career in healthcare. Growing up, she watched as her loved ones struggled with managing their diabetes and other chronic conditions, which sparked her interest in primary care and chronic disease education and management. Marisa firmly believes that education holds the key in chronic disease management and strives to empower patients to improve their health through education and lifestyle modifications.

A true foodie at heart, Marisa loves to explore new cuisines and travel as much as possible in her spare time. She also enjoys riding roller coasters at her favorite amusement parks and spending time with her family and friends.

Sean White, co-founder of Glucose Guards, LLC is a graduate of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX where he achieved High Honors. In addition, Sean has earned his Board-Certification in Advanced Diabetes Management from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Sean works his clinical hours with Baylor College of Medicine where he specializes in critical care medicine. 

Prior to working as a PA, he worked in the healthcare industry with patients diagnosed with advanced disease. Sean helped these patients adapt to their lifestyle in an effort to live in the comfort of their own homes as they transitioned to end of life care. These experiences helped to shape his patient centered medical philosophy and has strengthened his belief that care should be collaborative and focus on a comprehensive approach where the goals of the medical team align with those of the patient.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys hitting the running trails, rock climbing, swimming, and getting out in nature.

Michael H. Shanik, MD, FACP, FACE is an endocrinologist and managing partner of Endocrine Associates of Long Island, PC, in Smithtown, New York. He is Associate Professor of Medicine at Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York.

After earning his medical degree from New York Medical College, Dr Shanik completed his residency in internal medicine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York and a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Lake Success, New York. He is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. Dr Shanik is a fellow and member of the American College of Endocrinology and American College of Physicians. He is a member of the American Diabetes Association and Endocrine Society. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Nassau-Suffolk Independent Physician Association and the Lower New York chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Honors include American Diabetes Association “Father of the Year” and Leading Physicians of the World, Endocrinology. Dr. Shanik received the Harold Vigersky Practicing Physician Award from the Endocrine Society (2012); was named Community Physician Teacher of the Year, Department of Family Medicine, at Stony Brook University Medical Center (2009).

Dr Shanik has been an invited speaker at regional, national, and international meetings. He serves as principal investigator for many studies in diabetes and metabolism. Research interests include cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes patients and major cardiovascular events and conversion to Type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese and overweight patients.

Dr Shanik has authored or co-authored numerous articles published in the journals Endocrine Reviews; Diabetes Care; Diabetes, Technology and Therapeutics; Endocrine Practice; International Journal of Obesity; and Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews.

Jordan Robinson is the Executive Administrative Assistant for Glucose Guards. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health with a minor in Business from the University of South Carolina in May 2018 and is currently completing her Masters of Healthcare Administration at George Mason University. Having a background in public health, Jordan understands the importance of offering health management resources to encourage & guide positive health outcomes. Additional areas of interest within the healthcare industry include long-term care and nursing home administration. In her free time, Jordan enjoys traveling around the world, going to the beach, longboarding, and trying new foods.