The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), the national premier association dedicated to advancing the field of diabetes education, announces this year’s winners in our 2015 Awards Recognition Program. The awards were presented at the AADE 2015 Annual Meeting in New Orleans earlier this month. 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Ann Albright, PhD, RD
Dr. Albright, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 9, has had a life-long commitment to improving the lives of people affected by diabetes. She was the first diabetes educator, non-physician to hold the position of director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007. She has held executive positions at the Institute for Health and Aging, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the California Department of Health Services. Albright has served in key leadership roles with AADE; the American Diabetes Association; the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  

Allene Van Son Distinguished Service Award: Marcia “Marcie” Draheim, RN, CDE and Patti Geil, MS, RD, FADA, CDE
This award, granted posthumously, recognizes Marcie Draheim and Patti Geil for their outstanding contribution and service to AADE. Marcie Draheim was a longtime AADE member and 2009 president. She served on various American Diabetes Association committees and received the St. Luke’s Hospital Nursing Excellence Award for her work as a clinical diabetes educator.
Patti Geil began her involvement with AADE in 1998 and continued her dedication to the association the remainder of her life, including serving as the 2013 Annual Meeting Planning Committee program chair. She was actively involved in several organizations including the American Diabetes Association and authored or co-authored 12 books. .

MY AADE NETWORK Award: Missouri Coordinating Body
Among this group’s many achievements were their outstanding efforts in volunteer recruitment and participation in leadership activities. They are excellent users of MY AADE NETWORK posting blogs, announcements and spurring very active discussion forums. 

Advocacy Award: Bridget Jennings, RN, BAS, CDE
Selection of this award is based on engagement and participation of an individual member or stakeholder, who works towards advancing AADE’s advocacy efforts. Bridget has worked closely with AADE staff and her fellow Floridians to explain state licensure for diabetes educators. She expanded her knowledge of advocacy on a federal level, working with the AADE Coordinating Body leaders to provide updates. Awarded Saturday, August 8.

Rising Star Award: Lynn Fletcher, PharmD, BC-ADM
Based on numerical scoring, this award recognizes a diabetes educator who has less than three years of diabetes education experience and has demonstrated leadership and commitment in their practice. Lynn rose to the top of the applications through her ability to foster connections in the community and leadership qualities. 

Innovative Use of Media and Technology Award: Anastasia Albanese O’Neil, PhD, ARPN, CDE
This award recognizes the development and/or implementation of an innovative concept that utilizes technology to advance diabetes education. Dr. Anastasia O-Neil created a prototype mobile web application called mDAD: Mobile Diabetes Advice for Dads to encourage dads to participate in the diabetes education of their children. 

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About AADE: 
Founded in 1973, AADE is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving diabetes care through education. With more than 14,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and others, AADE has a vast network of practitioners involved in the daily treatment of diabetes patients. To learn more go to: www.diabeteseducator.org.