Free Resource Friday | Preparing for the CDCES Exam Webinar!
Join us for free on March 1st @ 11:30 am PST

Join us to get ready to succeed a the CDCES Exam. This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test taking readiness.
Topics covered include:
- Changes in requirements for 2019
- Exam eligibility and test format
- Strategies to succeed
- Review of study tips and test taking tactics.
We will review sample test questions, and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Intended Audience: This FREE webinar is designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in achieving excellence in diabetes care and becoming Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists®.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.
See our Preparing for CDCES Resource Page >>

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Free Resource Friday | What We Say Matters, Free Webinar Ready for Viewing
Language & Diabetes, What we say matters | Resources
What we say matters.
As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes everyday.
The language used in the health care setting is immensely important in determining the success of the interaction and long term relationships.
Thoughtful communication provides a sense of support and empathy and moves both provider and patient toward greater satisfaction and success.
Based on powerful research, there is growing movement within diabetes education and beyond, to rethink the words we use and the approaches we take when providing counsel to people with diabetes.
Let’s lift people up by choosing language that is non-judgmental and person centered.
Enjoy our free Mini-Webinar to learn more and take your communication to the next level!
Watch Language Webinar NOW
Topics covered include:
- Learn the old-fashioned diabetes phrases, words and approaches that can be left behind.
- Describe diabetes language that is respectful, inclusive, person-centered and imparts hope.
- Practice communicating about diabetes using phrases free from judgement with a focus on a strength-based approach.
What We Say Matters Powerpoint Handout
FREE Diabetes & Language | Quiz
This four question quiz is inspired by the recent article, “The Use of Language and Diabetes Care” by Dickinson et al. What words we choose, our body gestures and the use of certain terms can have a tremendous impact on our interactions with people living with diabetes. This quiz highlights a few key areas where we may want to rethink our approach or feel reassured that we are on the right track.
This mini-webinar is free, and no CEs are provided, but there is lots of great info!
Articles and Resources,
Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – 2017 ADA & AADE
Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This article provides recommendations for language used by health care professionals and others when discussing diabetes through spoken or written words whether directed to people with diabetes, colleagues, or the general
public, as well as research questions related to language and diabetes.
Quick Guide on Diabetes and Language for Health Care Professionals – AADE
#WCW | Beverly Thomassian – What is your vision?
This week we kick off our #WCW campaign (“Woman Crush Wednesday”) with our fearless leader, Coach Beverly Thomassian.
Why do we need a Women’s Conference? – Coach Beverly shares her vision

“Girls should learn history. And make it.”
– Malala
On our drive to school, I asked my teenage son if he could name any female scientists. He couldn’t name one.
I came up with a handful, but that was even a stretch.
Women make up half the population, but often our stories go untold.
As a frequent attendee at large scientific conferences, I have noticed the lack of female presenters. In many of the published national diabetes standards, there is a notable disparity in the ratio of men to women authors.
Yet, all around me, I work with a collection of smart, progressive, wildly talented and compassionate diabetes advocates, educators and providers who are women.
They contribute in countless ways, some bold and some subtle, to improve diabetes care and provide a vision forward for future diabetes professionals.
This first ever Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference was born out of these observations. I wanted to create a meeting place to celebrate this diverse group of visionary leaders. To shine a light on what they have accomplished and contributed to improve diabetes care while creating an arc of change into tomorrow’s landscape.
Just as importantly, I wanted to provide a place for attendees to share their stories. A place to sit at a table with other diabetes professionals who have fought, succeeded, failed, got back up and kept going, even though the barriers seemed insurmountable.
Our stories contain years of wisdom, hard won and accumulated through experience, trial and error and careful study. Let’s bring these innovations and stories to light.
Lastly, I wanted to open a window of dedicated time for hard working diabetes professionals to allow for inspiration and a safe place to share struggles and set-backs, honestly and openly. And through this sharing and group problem solving, the opportunity to see possibilities that might have been hidden or obscured by doubt or by pure busyness.
I wanted to create a place where we are inspired to state our dreams out loud and encouraged to move fully into them through the coaching and unabashed support of our colleagues.
Girls should make history. And we are.
Everyone is welcome. Please join us on May 10, 2019

- Are you feeling discouraged because your suggestions for improvement aren’t acknowledged?
- Do you run into barriers when you try to implement change?
- Are you ready to see your ideas come to light?
Network and Earn 7.5 CEs!
Keynote presenters include: | See detailed bio information here >>
- Ann Albright, PhD, RD – Director, Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC
- Tracey Brown MBA, BChE – CEO, American Diabetes Association
- Nicole Johnson, DrPH, MPH, MA – National Director of Mission at JDRF
- Maureen McGrath, MS, PNP-BC, BC-ADM – Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diabetes Minor, UCSF School of Nursing
- Susan Guzman, PhD – Director of Clinical/Educational Services, Behavioral Diabetes Institute, San Diego
- Edi Matsumoto, FNP, MSN, MFA, CDCES, BC-ADM – Montage Medical Group and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
- Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDCES – Instructional Designer Specialist, UCSF School of Nursing, Founder, Sweet People Club
- Beverly Thomassian, RN, BC-ADM, MPH, CDCES – Founder, President, Diabetes Education Services
Brochure | Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference
Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference Agenda

Fizz Free February – Diabetes Blog Byte!
Our neighbors across the pound are leading a new campaign to help teenagers curb their habitual consumption of sugar drinks. They have declared this month to be “Fizz Free February” after shocking statistics were released reporting a 70% increase in teenagers being diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K. in the last four years. In the United States, as of 2017, 30.1 million people are living with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes, and about 193,000 people are younger than 20 years.
Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is joining forces with Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, to ask people to stop drinking fizzy drinks for the month of February. The campaign hopes to break the habitual consumption of sugary drinks particularly within young adults.
We support Fizz Free February. At Diabetes Education Services, we created the “Joy of Six” campaign to encourage people across America to reconsider their added sugar intake.
Take the pledge to enjoy up to six teaspoons of added sugar per day and increase sugar awareness in our communities.
“The heaps of sugar companies are putting in their fizzy drinks are as good as poisoning our kids,” Watson said. “With scores of children suffering from tooth decay, obesity and even diabetes, we must do something to alert people to the danger of too much sugar.”
Sugar soft drinks make up for a large portion of sugar intake in a child’s diet. Not only can this cause Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, but is known to contribute to tooth decay.
Fizz Free February launched as a part of a wider campaign to tackle obesity. “Evidence for the damaging effects of sugar is mounting up. We’ve got to find ways to drastically reduce our consumption of sugar, and Fizz Free February is a fantastic way to start.”

Help us continue to spread awareness on this very important issue! We have many resources from our “Joy of Six” campaign for you to share with your community:
We also invite you to test your sugar knowledge:
In order to make sugar awareness fun and educational, Coach Beverly has designed six sugar-related questions to test your knowledge:
To learn more: “Consumers urged to give up sugary drinks for Fizz Free February” The Gaurdian
Other important blog posts & resources:
You’re Invited | 2019 Diabetes Ed Event Schedule
Ready to take your Diabetes knowledge to the next level?
2019 Upcoming Live Seminars and Webinars
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You’re invited to join our Diabetes Education Community and Online University for 2019.
We’ve designed our live seminars and online webinars for working healthcare professionals interested in expanding their diabetes knowledge and pursuing certification.
Whether you join us online or in person, we believe in your success!
Get Inspired – Read Student Success Stories
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Upcoming Live Seminars in 2019. Earn CEs, gain diabetes insights, have fun!
- *Diabetes in the 21st Century – KP Oakland, CA 7.5 CEs | February 11th, 2019
- Diabetes Educator Course – Sacramento, CA 32 CEs | April 10th – 12th, 2019
- Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference – SF, CA 7.5 CEs | May 10th, 2019
- Diabetes and Language Keynote – IHS Annual Diabetes Day – Sacramento, CA | May 23rd, 2019
- New Diabetes Medication Algorithm Update – Pharmacy Symposium Henry Mayo | June 1st, 2019
- Diabetes in the 21st Century – John Muir Hospital, Concord, CA 7.5 CEs | July 11th, 2019
- Diabetes Educator Course – San Diego, CA 32 CEs | September 4th – 6th, 2019
- Diabetes in the 21st Century, AADE Hawaii Chapter – Honolulu, HI 7.5 CEs | October 3rd, 2019
- *Diabetes in the 21st Century – KP Oakland, CA | October 21st, 2019
Coach Beverly’s calendar for 2019 is filling up fast! To secure a date for Beverly to provide a Keynote Presentationor Diabetes in the 21st Century Seminar at your organization, or to request additional information, email us here!
*by invitation only
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Please note, when you purchase our online courses, you have instant access to the On-Demand courses via the Online University, PLUS we automatically enroll you in all live webinars updates.
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Level 3 CDCES Boot Camp Live Webinar Schedule – 12.0 CEs:
- Boot Camp 1 | Diabetes; Not Just Hyperglycemia – Feb 6th, 2019
- Boot Camp 2 | ADA Standards of Care – Feb 7th, 2019
- Boot Camp 3 | Insulin Therapy – From Basal/Bolus to Pattern Management – Feb 13th, 2019
- Boot Camp 4 | Insulin Intensive – Monitoring, Sick Days, Lower Extremities – Feb 14th, 2019
- Boot Camp 5 | Meds for Type 2 – Feb 20th, 2019
- Boot Camp 6 | Medical Nutrition Therapy and Exercise – Feb 21st, 2019
- Boot Camp 7 | Screening, Prevention and Treatment of Microvascular Complications – Feb 27th, 2019
- Boot Camp 8 | Coping and Behavior Change – Feb 28th, 2019
- Boot Camp 9 | “The Big Finish” Test Taking– March 6th, 2019
Level 3 | CDCES Exam Boot Camp Live Webinar Schedule Brochure 2019
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5 Subtypes of type 2 diabetes – Bev
Recent research by the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital has shown that there may potentially be five distinct subtypes of type two diabetes based individual genetics.
Three of the subtypes involve insulin resistance where insulin is not used effectively and for the right purpose. The other two subtypes involve a deficiency of insulin where insulin is not being produced in adequate amounts by the beta cells.
The study included 17,365 subjects from four separate studies with type two diabetes. The genomic data of each individual was analyzed and recorded, only to find the five different variances in DNA that led to insulin resistance/deficiency. Those who were insulin resistant typically had a larger waistline and had a higher risk of obesity. Individuals who were insulin deficient were typically thinner than their counterparts.
This new data is critical because “there could be a number of processes which lead to high blood glucose levels.” This information also means that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating type two diabetes with medication therapy.
For more information on the subtypes of type two diabetes, visit subtypes of type 2 diabetes highlighted by genetics study.
Learn more about matching medication therapy to the person with diabetes.
Meds Management Update – 1.5 CEs | Live Webinar, Dec 6, 2019 at 11:30
Join Beverly to gain insight into the increasingly complex world of diabetes medications and management.
This webinar will highlight the key elements of the latest Medication Guidelines by AACE and ADA. We will explore clinical factors to consider when determining the best strategy to improve glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes and discuss new medications.
This webinar will discuss how to integrate new medication recommendations into our practice. We will discuss the benefits, considerations and critical information to share with our patients and providers.
- Overview of classes and actions of diabetes medications
- Medication management updates and new recommendations
- Using the ADA/AACE algorithms to improve diabetes care and outcomes
This course is included in: Level 2: Beyond Fundamentals. Purchase this course individually for $29 or the entire bundle and save 70%.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
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Happy International Day of the Girl – October 11th!
Today we celebrate International Day of the Girl!
An important mission of Diabetes Education Services is to inspire girls to feel emboldened to chase their dreams!
Established by the United Nations in 2012, International Day of the Girl, was created to address the challenges girls face all over the world!
“International Day of the Girl promotes empowerment, education, and employment skills, alongside the attainment of basic human rights.
The 2018 theme is “With Her: A Skilled GirlForce”, and it focuses on properly equipping and training the 600 million adolescent girls who will enter the workforce within the next decade.
How can people work now to help these girls obtain secure, safe, and gainful employment within the next few years?”
At Diabetes Education Services we believe in supporting girls and women to realize their potential. We are dedicated to supporting the growth and well-being of our future generations. Today, we continue to celebrate our amazing sister organization, Just One Person.
Just One Person, is a model sustainable program that prepares girls in rural Kenya for post secondary opportunities, helping them develop economic independence that will guide them on the path out of poverty.
Diabetes Education Services partners with Just One Person to manufacture our Pancreas Partner. All profits from Pancreas sales are donated to Just One Person to help the girls pursue ongoing education and gainful employment.
Want to get inspired? – Enjoy these “11 Inspiring Quotes For International Day Of The Girl 2018, Because You Could Really Use A Boost Right Now” – Romper
Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
World Breastfeeding Week | August 1st – 7th, 2018
Here at Diabetes Education Services, we are excited to celebrate “World Breastfeeding Week” for so many reasons!
“There could be greater health benefits for women from breastfeeding than previously recognized,” said lead study author Erica Gunderson of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California.
Compared to women who didn’t breastfeed at all, mothers who nursed babies for at least six months were 48 percent less likely to develop diabetes.
Rates of breastfeeding are on the rise. More than 75% of women initiate breastfeeding and by one year 25% are still breastfeeding. There are many wonderful benefits linked to breastfeeding, lowering the risk of allergies, obesity, respiratory infections and now diabetes!
In spite of the benefits of breastfeeding, some women may face barriers to success, including lack of social support, lack of paid leave and lack of onsite childcare. Since breastfeeding provides a tremendous benefit for the child, mom and society, we want to keep encouraging women to breastfeed and create environments that support success.
“Longer breastfeeding tied to lower diabetes risk for mothers” – Lisa Rapaport for Reuters Health
To help get the word out visit World Breast Feeding Week Resource Page
You can also learn more about Women and Diabetes with our webinar below or via the “Women and Diabetes Resource Page”

Want to learn more about Women and Diabetes, enroll in our Level 2 – Women and Diabetes online course:
Level 2 – Women and Diabetes 1.0 CEs – $ 19.00
Women with diabetes are confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education and understanding. This course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals and prevention of complications during pregnancy. A helpful review for the CDCES® Exam and for those who want more information on Women with Diabetes.
We will be providing a Live Webinar Update on May 18, 2018.
