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We are geared up to help grow and mentor future Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) to meet the increasing and varied needs of our diabetes community.
We are offering 14 Bridge Scholarships, which cover the registration cost for our “Virtual DiabetesEd Conference” on April 15-17, 2026. This program will provide you with diabetes fundamentals and beyond! Earn 30+ CEs with access to the courses for one year!
Over the next 10 years we are “Building a Bridge” to welcome a thousand new diabetes educators into the field. If you know a healthcare professional seeking a new challenge and eager to pursue a meaningful and rewarding specialty, please invite them to consider becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).
Diabetes Education Services is committed to improving equity and access to diabetes training and education for a diverse group of healthcare professionals. We don’t want financial barriers to stop anyone from attending this conference. In appreciation of those who are role models and advocates for practicing the best diabetes care in their communities.
The Bridge Scholarship program is not just about learning—it’s about creating connections, fostering growth and building a community of passionate diabetes care professionals. We are excited to offer this incredible opportunity to those who are committed to advancing their skills and knowledge in diabetes education. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those living with diabetes.
These scholarships are awarded to healthcare professionals who provide care and education to under-served communities that lack access to Diabetes Specialists and healthcare resources. Applicants must be in the process of gaining practice hours and planning to take their CDCES Exam within the next 3 years.
Gain fresh insights, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of the latest in person-centered diabetes care. Our expert team brings the ADA Standards of Care to life—covering medications, behavior change, technology, and more!
If you’re preparing for the CDCES or BC-ADM exam, this conference, paired with a handful of free bonus courses, serves as the ideal study companion! Plus, this content counts toward the ADA Standards requirements for CDCES Renewal.
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Greetings, wonderful healthcare colleagues!
You are going to love all the updates to our cheat sheets, online university courses, and PocketCards.
Coach Beverly has been excitedly scanning the 2026 ADA Standards to discover updates and advances in diabetes care. She and her team are hustling to integrate these new findings across our platforms, including the CDCES Coach App, handouts, courses, and web content, so that you can access the latest information with confidence.
In our first newsletter of 2026, we are excited to share that we have made significant changes to our Medication PocketCards in the GLP-1/GIP RA section. Now included are the diabetes and weight-loss versions of this popular medication class, with indications for each. You can compare and contrast at a glance. Download your free version and read more below.
Our library of Cheat Sheets is updated and includes a few new additions! These sheets are available on our website and the CDCES Coach App for easy access, with the option to download and share with your colleagues and people living with diabetes alike.
Christine Craig, MS, RD, CDCES, explores her experience with a client who arrived at her office distraught and struggling with the loss of his lifelong partner. Pass the tissues.
Our Tech contributor, Dr. Beattie, provides a summary of red flag statements that may indicate a person is experiencing barriers to effectively using technology in their day-to-day management.
We encourage you to test your knowledge with our Question and Rationale of the Week. January kicks off our Level 1 Fundamental Series, followed by our annual ADA Standards of Care update on January 29th and Level 2 Mastery Course Series in February. We hope to see you there!
Here is to a 2026 filled with self-compassion and moments of awe.
Coach Beverly, Bryanna, Astraea & Katarina
If you’ve considered not renewing your professional practice group membership this year, you’re not alone. Membership in professional organizations has declined as many turn to social media and AI-driven platforms for information and connection. Still, I encourage you not to abandon professional membership in favor of options that may seem cheaper or more convenient.
In a noisy, chaotic landscape of information overload, professional practice groups remain a refuge from the storm. They offer a trusted alternative to clickbait, providing vetted expertise, meaningful connection, and true professional community.
No amount of viral TikTok videos or LinkedIn commentary can replace the depth of connection and sense of purpose that come from active engagement in a professional practice organization. And, here’s why.
Professional practice groups, also known as professional practice organizations, are designed to advance a specific field by providing members with networking opportunities, professional development, and practice resources. In healthcare, these organizations may be tailored to the needs of a single discipline, such as the American Nurses Association, or span interdisciplinary areas of practice, like the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or the American Diabetes Association.
Some organizations focus primarily on education and credentialing, while others emphasize leadership development and community building. Still others center their work on advocacy related to patient care, access, and insurance coverage.
At its core, most professional practice groups are founded and driven by their members, with membership dues supporting the administrative needs required to operate. As groups grow, they often engage professional management or organizational leadership teams to oversee day-to-day operations such as membership services, programming, finances, legal compliance, and other administrative functions.
Strategic direction and oversight typically remain the responsibility of an elected or appointed governing body. In some cases, professional organizations may choose to hire members, transitioning them from volunteer roles into paid staff positions.
As operating costs rise, often without corresponding increases in salaries or reimbursement, many professional practice groups partner with industry or government organizations for additional financial support. These partnerships can help keep membership dues, educational programming, and events accessible and affordable for members.
It would be easy to blame declining professional membership on COVID, but the reality is this trend started long before the pandemic. Across healthcare, fewer clinicians are joining or renewing professional organizations. Cost is often the biggest factor. When budgets are tight, many people feel forced to choose one membership instead of several. Others question whether the return on investment is still there, especially when education, networking, and professional content are now easy to find online for free.
In my own field of dietetics, I also hear concerns about transparency and alignment with the future of the profession. The move to a master’s degree requirement without a meaningful increase in entry-level pay has created real frustration, particularly for early-career professionals and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Many feel their needs were not fully considered or advocated for during that transition.
These frustrations are valid. But they are also exactly why walking away may not be the answer. Professional practice groups are shaped by the people who show up. If something isn’t working, the most effective way to change it is to get involved.
Despite the challenges, the benefits of professional membership far outweigh the drawbacks, and the opportunity to influence the future of your profession is worth staying engaged.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Substack, and X (formerly Twitter) are great for ideas and inspiration, but they rarely offer sustained, reciprocal mentorship. Most interactions are brief, one-sided, or tied to someone selling something.
Professional practice groups offer something different. They foster trusted relationships with people who have walked the same path and understand the realities of the work. Advice is shared openly, support develops over time, and there is no sales funnel attached. It is not a transaction. It is a co-op.
Professional practice groups offer a space to ask questions without worrying about who is watching or how you are being perceived. There is room to be unsure, curious, or quietly ambitious, especially early in your career or during periods of transition.
Unlike social media, which often rewards confidence and visibility, professional groups tend to reward competence, growth, and thoughtful engagement. The focus is less on performance and more on learning and supporting one another as professionals.
Most online content is designed for reach, not rigor. Professional practice groups focus on depth, offering evidence-based, peer-reviewed insights shared by professionals, for professionals. It is not about trends. It is about trust. As these professional practice groups evolve, many are also opening the door to honest conversations about topics once considered off-limits, such as workplace culture, compensation, and career options.
I’ve made meaningful connections on social media and learn something new every day from tools like ChatGPT. Those platforms have their place.
But when I want to understand where a profession is really headed, I look to professional practice groups. Who is presenting the research? What study resources are being recommended? Who is mentoring, volunteering, and helping shape the future of the field? These groups create space to contribute, learn, and grow alongside peers who care deeply about the work.
I’ve always respected my work colleagues, but I truly value my professional practice peers. I hope you will, too.
References:
Sarah is the owner of Sarah Hormachea: Diabetes Care and Education, LLC. She is a long-time member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). She currently serves as Webinar Chair for the Academy’s Diabetes Practice Group and is an incoming member of the ADCES Board of Directors. She is also enrolled in a women’s leadership development program through the ADA.
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Upcoming FREE Webinars ___________________________ Pre-Order ADA Standards Book for 2026
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Hi friends, we have two pieces of exciting news!
First, the 2026 ADA Standards of Care are here! This updated content is full of evidence-based guidelines and clinical pearls that you can bring back to your practice, prepare for certification exams, and, of course, advocate on behalf of people living with pre-diabetes and diabetes.
As a busy healthcare professional, we understand that you may not have time to read all 350+ pages! We have a solution.
Join Coach Bev on January 29th for a 2.5 CE Live Webinar that summarizes the critical content you need to know. If you can’t join us live, once you register, you have access to the recorded version for a full year.
You can relax as your expert guide, Coach Bev, leads you through a two hour journey highlighting updates to the ADA Standards. You will walk away feeling confident and focused on what’s most important for certification exams and your practice.
Second exciting announcement!
The New CDCES Coach App is NOW available on Apple and Google Play. Best part? It’s still FREE!
After 6 months of renovation (thanks, Bryanna), you are going to love our new and improved CDCES Coach App. Our older version is sunsetting at the end of the month, so download the new version today! Enjoy quick access to the ADA Standards, new sample test questions with rationales, cheat sheets, Question of the Week and more!
Coach Beverly, Bryanna, Astraea & Katarina
Our new, revitalized CDCES Coach app, will equip you with certification exam study tools and clinical resources- right at your fingertips!
✨ Fresh new design with easier navigation.
New Quizzes with Rationale for In-app Purchase Option
✨ 25 Practice Test Questions with Rationale – Only $9.99! ✨
📱 Register Today! To take advantage of all these enhanced features, you will need to sign up for the new CDCES Coach App! The old app sunsets on 12/31/2025.
You have been asking for these app improvements. We are happy to deliver new features while keeping your favorite resources at the ready!
📱 Works on mobile, tablet, and desktop-friendly!
I love this time of year because we get to celebrate you, the hard-working and dedicated diabetes healthcare professionals.
To allow more healthcare professionals to join the Diabetes Education and Care Specialist community, we have expanded our accreditation.
With our evidence-based courses, we are now providing CEs for physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to enter the field of diabetes has ample opportunity.
Thank you so much for the lives you touch every day.
Coach Beverly, Bryanna, Astraea & Katarina
Dr. Banting was born on November 14, 1891. That is why we celebrate World Diabetes Day on November 14th.
On October 25th, 1923 the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to Frederick Grant Banting and John James Richard MacLeod “for the discovery of insulin”. The discovery was made in 1921, which makes the two-year time period between the detection and this prize one of the shortest in the history of the Nobel Prize.
During a hot summer in 1921, Dr. Banting secured space to test out his theory in the University of Toronto. Along with his colleague, Charles Best, and a bare bones lab, they conducted dozens of experiments on dogs, which ultimately led to the discovery of insulin.
Dr. Banting and Charles Best began their experiments ligating the pancreases of dogs, thinking this would prevent destruction by the digestive pancreatic juices, and then isolating the extract from the islet cells. They then processed the extract from the islet cells and injected this extract they called “insulin” into diabetic dogs. According to an audio Interview with Dr. Best, by July 1921, they had 75 positive examples of insulin lowering blood glucose levels in dogs.
In February 1922, doctor Frederick Banting and biochemist John Macleod published their paper on the successful use of a alcohol based pancreatic extract for normalizing blood glucose levels in a human patient.
Here are some photos of the first insulin bottles produced by the University of Toronto and Eli Lilly.
Soon, word of their discovery got out and the race was on to produce enough insulin to treat the flood of type 1 patients arriving in Toronto to receive this miracle injection.
First Children to Receive Insulin
The first patient to receive insulin was a ‘welfare’ case at Toronto General Hospital – no clinical trial structure to say the least. People from Canada/US flooded into Toronto to receive treatment. Banting struggled with the lack of accessibility of insulin – volume needed and issues of purification.
The earliest patients were “selected”, some youths from Canada/US, some soldiers with diabetes (probably because of Banting’s service in the First World War) and then later some select private patients. During this time they were working hard to increase the volume and continue to improve the purification process. Insulin was available for testing in US, namely through Dr. Elliot Joslin in the late summer 1922.
Dr. Banting – Fun and Interesting Facts
Takes a Team
While Best played a critical and important role, credit must also go to Professor Macleod, from the University of Toronto, who provided the lab space, showed Dr. Banting how to operate on dogs, provided his student Best and suggested they switch from a saline to alcohol to purify the ‘extract’. Dr. Macleod also secured the support of JB Collip, the 4th man on the team and the fist person to purify insulin for human use. Best is also known for pushing Banting to return to the research during a particular dark period of failure.
Historical Insulin Powerpoint Slides – here is a collection of some of my favorite powerpoint slides, depicting the discovery of insulin.
Visit Banting House Facebook Page
Canadian Broadcast that highlights the first patient, Ted Ryder, the first patient to receive insulin from Dr. Banting. Some great historic video footage of Dr. Banting shaking hands with the young man..
The Quest – 1958 This short film is a re-enactment of the critical year in Dr. Frederick Banting’s life when he discovered insulin for the treatment of diabetes at the University of Toronto. It depicts the odds against which he and his assistant, Charles Best, worked; the scepticism of other doctors and the final victory that gave thousands of diabetics hope for a healthier life.
The Flame – Banting House Historical Site Newsletter
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Upcoming Programs ___________________________ Upcoming FREE Webinars ___________________________ |
Greetings, wonderful healthcare colleagues!
Did you know that over 16% of American adults—nearly 1 in 6—are living with diabetes, according to the latest data from the CDC? When we look at the bigger picture, it becomes clear that social drivers of health play a decisive role in this growing epidemic.
Data suggests that access to knowledge, resources, and supportive environments can profoundly impact prevention, diagnosis, and daily diabetes management. By equipping individuals with knowledge about diabetes management and preventative measures, we empower them to take ownership of their health and inspire change within their communities.
To get the ball rolling, we are excited to share a list of our favorite FREE diabetes resources in English and Spanish. Please share this information with your colleagues and community members.
Have you considered the implications of Stage 4 Gestational Diabetes (GDM)? As Christine Craig highlights, after the birth of a baby, it is challenging to keep follow-up appointments and receive ongoing healthcare. Yet after delivery with GDM, the risk of future diabetes is high, and staying connected with the care team improves outcomes. Read more about this critical 4th Stage.
Our tech expert, Dr. Sarah, considers the impact of technology on diabetes distress. What effect does being “plugged” into technology have on the emotional health of the person living with diabetes?
Lastly, to help everyone feel their best this holiday season, we are sharing our popular handout, “Ten Strategies to Survive the Holidays” as well as an info sheet on reframing diabetes distress.
We hope you can join our FREE webinars celebrating National Diabetes Month. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing dedication to improving diabetes care.
With gratitude for the care you give every day!
Coach Beverly, Bryanna, Astraea & Katarina
The American Diabetes Association estimates that over 8 million people in the United States depend on insulin therapy for survival.¹ Multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin can be challenging to manage. Diabetes care and education specialists understand that complex medication regimens often lead to difficulty achieving medication adherence and worsening glycemic control.²
CeQur Simplicity is a unique alternative to MDI therapy. It redefines insulin delivery with a wearable device that administers insulin with just a few clicks. By simplifying insulin delivery, CeQur can support successful insulin management and improve glycemic control without the hassle of multiple daily injections.
The CeQur Simplicity patch is a wearable insulin delivery device for adults aged 21 and older, approved for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who require insulin. This thin patch can hold up to 200 units of either U-100 lispro (Humalog) or U-100 aspart (Novolog) insulin. The patch can be used for up to 4 days on any approved insulin injection site. It is usually worn on the abdomen, thigh, or upper arms, as these areas are more accessible for reaching the CeQur device.³
Pressing the buttons on the sides of the device delivers two units of insulin. Each press produces an audible click to announce delivery. Over the 4-day wear period, this wearable insulin device replaces up to twelve meal bolus injections. The ease of use and ability to dose without carrying and storing insulin or injecting it can be freeing for many people living with diabetes. Research has found that when using the CeQur patch, users were more satisfied with the device, experienced less diabetes-related burden, and missed fewer insulin boluses.
CeQur is not an automated insulin delivery system. This device operates independently and does not connect to continuous glucose monitors. The CeQur Simplicity is not approved for basal insulin and does not replace the need for basal insulin.
Diabetes healthcare professionals can help identify clients who may benefit from the CeQur Simplicity insulin patch. An ideal CeQur candidate may be those who:
The healthcare professional’s (HCP) role starts with explaining the CeQur Simplicity device and how it differs from traditional insulin pumps and insulin pens. Besides identifying those who may benefit from CeQur, the HCP also provides training and troubleshooting for CeQur. CeQur training includes demonstrating how to apply and remove the device, using the click-based bolus feature, and performing site care and rotation procedures. This hands-on education helps clients build confidence in their new insulin delivery device. HCP’s can also assist in exploring cost, insurance coverage, and manufacturer support programs.
Here are other considerations for the diabetes healthcare professional:
✅ Assess the ability to count by 2s as the device only delivers doses in increments of 2 units.
✅ Fill the CeQur device with insulin just before use and never prefilled in advance.
✅ Do not apply a CeQur insulin patch near the area where basal insulin is injected.
✅ Avoid applying the insulin patch to areas that will be irritated by clothing, accessories, or a seat belt.
✅ Use the ‘Change By’ sticker provided with each device as a reminder of when the device needs to be changed.
✅ Avoid submerging the patch more than 3 feet 3 inches (1 meter). Also, do not squeeze the dosing buttons while the patch is underwater.³
Diabetes healthcare professionals work to identify and address barriers to insulin therapy. Collaborating with clients can boost their confidence, foster effective diabetes self-management, and improve their psychological outcomes. For those who are frustrated with their current MDI therapy but are also leery of AID systems, the CeQur Simplicity insulin patch may offer fewer injections, freedom from carting around meal-time insulin, and an improved quality of life.
References
