If you attended AADE19, you heard the news that we are retitling the specialty, ensuring that it reflects the work that diabetes educators are already doing but not necessarily being recognized for. 

Move to Diabetes Care and Education Specialist 

For years we’ve heard the same message: That the term diabetes educator does not reflect the full range of knowledge, skills and value that you provide. But we knew we needed to test it out.  

A Decision Based on Data and Input 

Over the last year, the AADE Board of Directors engaged with a variety of stakeholders via surveys, including members, nonmembers working in diabetes education, provider groups (family physicians, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, PAs and other specialists), payers, industry and partner organizations. And, of course, we talked with key groups that represent people with diabetes. Our goal was to find out whether the title of diabetes educator served the specialty and our members well and is the right one for the future.  

While no decision of this significance is taken lightly, we were pleased that the information and data generated in this effort demonstrated a clear and considerable preference for one option – diabetes care and education specialist – across all stakeholders.