Over the last year, passionate advocates, policy experts, Silicon Valley gurus, dedicated volunteers, and many others joined the conversation on LillyPad with their unique perspectives on how public policy and innovation improves lives for patients around the globe. As the year comes to an end, check out this slideshow with some of the most popular guest blog posts from 2013.

1. Rallying the Public to Support Lupus Education and
Research
Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of
America, discusses her organization’s Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery™
National Tour. The tour’s goal is to raise much-needed lupus awareness
among Members of Congress and the general public.

2. Disruption is Here, It’s All About How You Respond
Technology is causing disruptive innovation around the world, and
pharmaceuticals are no exception. In this post, healthcare intelligence
expert Marco Smit describes what factors are likely to disrupt
pharmaceuticals and how these changes can be harnessed for the
benefit of innovator companies.

3. Leading the Way in R&D Innovation
Our own Dr. Jan Lundberg describes how modern business models are
driving innovation at Lilly, especially when it comes to supporting
research and development of important new medicines.

4. AADE on Essential Role of Diabetes Educator
James Specker of AADE discusses how current regulations impact ways
healthcare professionals can qualify as diabetes educators. The post
highlights how state licensure initiatives could formalize and improve
diabetes education – and patient care - across the country.

5. Advancing New Therapies: JDRF's Collaborative
Approach
In this post, David Wheadon, M.D., highlights how collaboration between
innovator companies and the FDA can help streamline patient access to
the latest medical technologies, including JDF’s artificial pancreas.

6. Making a Difference in Children's Health: School Nurses
Leading the Way
Members of the National Association of School Nurses describe the
important role school nurses play in helping children stay happy and
healthy when faced with complicated medical conditions.