Sansum Diabetes Research Institute honored Yasue Omori, M.D. with the W.D. Sansum Award for Science on June 2, 2008 at the Four Seasons Biltmore. SDRI Board President Christopher Haskell presented the award to Dr. Omori for her pioneering work in the field of diabetes. She is the first female recipient of the Sansum Science award.

Following a garden reception, Dr. Omori presented the story of her life-long dedication to diabetes and pregnancy, “The Road I Walked.” When she began her career in the 1960s there was no medical treatment or research on women with diabetes in Japan and doctors discouraged diabetic women from becoming pregnant. Omori organized the Diabetes Pregnancy Study Group (DPSG) in Japan and began reading publications by SDRI CEO Dr. Lois Jovanovic and other leaders in the field. She also conducted research with physicians in Canada and Switzerland. The goal of the DPSG was to educate the public and improve physician’s knowledge. Today, due to Dr. Omori’s efforts in Japan,  healthy babies are delivered in women with diabetes and mortality rates have declined.

Dr. Omori is the first female Director of the Diabetes Center of Tokyo Women’s Medical College, the first female President of the Japan Society of Diabetes, and is the Director of the Diabetes Center in Ebina General Hospital in Tokyo. Additionally, she mentors young doctors, sees patients, conducts research, and writes publications.