When Danakelly Hampton, MS/FM ’10, walks into a room, she often brings something with her that most others don’t—an occasional beeping sound. Hampton, a forensic investigator and author who lives with Type 1 diabetes, wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin pod. These devices help her manage her blood sugar levels, and sometimes, they beep when things go out of range.
At a previous workplace, the beeping drew the irritation of a colleague who didn’t understand the source.
“He said, ‘What is all that beeping?’” Hampton recalled. “And someone else said, ‘Oh, that’s just Dana. She beeps sometimes.’”
That moment unintentionally sparked the idea for She Beeps, and That's OK!: Living Bravely with Type 1 Diabetes—Hampton’s debut children’s book, published in August 2025. It follows Dana, a 7-year-old girl adjusting to a new school while managing life with Type 1 diabetes. Part story, part toolkit, the book includes a Go Bag checklist, a guide to blood sugar levels, and downloadable resources. It’s a reflection of Hampton’s larger mission: to normalize diabetes technology and empower kids living with the condition.
“I wanted kids who wear CGM devices to feel seen and to not feel embarrassed by it,” Hampton said. “I know how I felt as an adult, beeping in a quiet room. If I can help even one kid not feel ashamed, that’s a win.”
Since high school, Hampton knew she wanted to work in forensic science. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, but her journey took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 20 after a period of escalating and mysterious symptoms: fatigue, excessive thirst, weight loss, and ultimately, a collapse at home over Thanksgiving break. Her blood sugar had spiked to 960, which is nearly 10 times a normal reading.
She returned to the Philadelphia area to focus on her health after her life-altering diagnosis, then later completed her bachelor’s degree in forensic and crime scene investigation at Mountain State University. During an intensive internship with the Philadelphia Police Department and the Medical Examiner’s Office, she was introduced to the field of medicolegal death—which involves investigating the cause and manner of unexpected or unnatural deaths.
There, she met Gregory McDonald, DO ’89, professor and chair of PCOM's Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. He introduced her to PCOM’s Forensic Medicine program, which Hampton credits with giving her a strong foundation in both medical and investigative sciences.
“The Forensic Medicine program at PCOM gave me everything I needed to go from being a passionate intern to a confident professional,” Hampton said. “We learned every possible way someone could die—but more than that, we learned how to break down disease processes, what doctors actually do in the hospital, and how to ask the right questions on scene.”
From an investigator trainee to serving in major death investigation systems across Chicago, New York City, and one of Pennsylvania’s top five jurisdictions as Chief Investigator, Hampton has upheld the core values instilled at PCOM: authenticity, ethics, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
To PCOM students and alumni considering unconventional paths with their medical or forensic training, Hampton offers this advice: “Explore everything and use every part of your journey. I didn’t expect to get Type 1 diabetes and I didn’t expect to write a book. But PCOM gave me the tools to think critically, to be detailed, and to care deeply—and I’ve just found new ways to use those tools to help people.”
Though Hampton still works as a forensic consultant, she’s taken a purposeful step to focus on her book, outreach efforts, and launching her own forensic consulting firm. She is already starting to see the impact of She Beeps, and That's OK! At her first book fair as an author this summer, she sold 10 copies of her book.
“That’s 10 more people who now understand Type 1 diabetes, CGM devices, and why someone might beep. That felt amazing,” she said.
Hampton is driven to make a difference, especially when it comes to the underdiagnosis, misunderstanding, and rising rates of diabetes in Black communities. She hopes She Beeps, and That's OK! will help normalize diabetes technology for kids, reduce stigma, and encourage early screening, particularly in families who may not recognize the symptoms.
“There are so many decisions that someone with Type 1 diabetes has to make every single day, and most people don’t see that,” Hampton said. “Type 1 diabetes may be rare, but it’s real and it doesn’t discriminate. My hope is that by sharing my story and this book, we can start important, empathetic conversations about what it’s like to live with this condition.”
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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