I bumped into Mike at the ice machine in the lunchroom, and took the opportunity to thank him for all of his time, energy, and hard work on a product that is attached to me 24×7.

At this time, probably around the fall of 2006, I had been in only a few meetings with him and didn’t know him very well.   But his reputation as the “brains behind the system” was solidified with each and every exposure I had to him.   He put so much of himself into each and every little decision.  It was clear that he completely understood diabetes.  It was also clear that he was incredibly smart and very talented.

Yet he was very humble and approachable, and always looked for input and differing perspectives.  Even with all he knew, he knew he didn’t know it all.

His response to me at the ice machine that day said so much.  I will always remember it.

“By introducing ‘insulin on board’, we have improved the lives of insulin pump users whether they choose our pump or not.”

He was all about improving lives and improving insulin pump therapy in general.

Seeing that sort of dedication to the general well-being of those living with diabetes affected me.  It wasn’t about business, resources, dollars and cents, and the financial bottom-line.

It was about improving lives.

I will forever miss working at Cozmo, mostly because of people like Mike.

I am so grateful for that short conversation at the ice machine.  That memory will always remind me what I want my life to be about — helping people.