Wow, what a year this has been. So many wonderful milestones have been celebrated throughout the year, and I cannot believe I am writing my last President’s letter. As I look back fondly over the past year, I thought I’d share with you some of the highlights.
The Board and the ADCES staff hit the ground running in January working on our new strategic plan with the assistance of our consultants, Smith Bucklin, who guided us through this amazing process, which resulted in the Strategic Plan for 2024-2028.
In February, Leslie Kolb, ADCES COO, and I traveled to Berlin, Germany, to attend the 16th International Conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD23). This was an amazing conference that allowed ADCES a front-row seat to the latest and greatest in diabetes technology. Many of our industry partners were there and engaged with ADCES for support and feedback.
As we moved into April, it was at our Board of Directors meeting in Austin, Texas, that we truly began to see our new strategic plan take shape. We incorporated full-day sessions dedicated to working and creating this strategic plan. The months of work and dedication to this project would soon pay off in August, when we put the final touches on this work and presented it to all of you in Houston.
The summer is always an exciting time for diabetes care and education specialists because there are many conferences to attend. In June, we were off to San Diego to attend the ADA 83rd Scientific Sessions. I was honored to present at ADA this year and represent both my employer, Catholic Health, and ADCES.
July was packed with two amazing experiences. ADCES leaders and staff attended Children With Diabetes, Friends for Life Conference in Orlando, Florida, followed by the ATDC 23 (Achieving Targets in Diabetes Care) in Keystone, Colorado, 2 very different conferences. The Friends for Life Conference is held in the same place each year, Coronado Springs Resort in Disney World. What better place than Disney to host a family-oriented conference? It was my first time attending the Children With Diabetes conference, and I was left moved. It was incredible to see so many children and their families interacting and learning together, so many children with diabetes in an environment that was understanding, compassionate, motivating, and supportive. The children played while the parents learned. I can safely say, everyone left a changed person from participating. Keystone, well, it is Keystone: 10 000-feet elevation surrounded by nature learning from amazing diabetes leaders from across the globe. What a thrill and honor to be a participant.
This brings us to August, the highlight of this year for so many of our members. Together, we were able to celebrate ADCES’s 50th anniversary. I was so honored to have been able to meet so many of you and learn so much from our fabulous and talented speakers. We have received tremendous feedback from many of you regarding our keynote speakers and breakout sessions. We tried many new things this year, many of which we will carry forward to next year. The amazing ADCES staff are always looking for new ways to enhance the learning experience for each of you.
Now just when you think we were going to slow down, ADCES still has many learning activities for you all to participate in before 2023 comes to a close. Please keep in mind, we have some very special events still ahead that you don’t want to miss out on.
In December, we will be hosting our annual business meeting virtually. The ADCES Board of Directors and ADCES staff all decided to move the annual business meeting from the annual conference to a standalone virtual meeting in December. This was a purposeful move that will allow for greater participation from our members. Up until now, unless you attended the annual conference, you could not attend the annual business meeting and therefore missed the opportunity to have a voice in your Association. By moving it to a virtual meeting, we have allowed access for all of our members. This year’s meeting will be extra special and important because we will be revealing the strategic plan and the key results that will guide this plan forward over the next 4 years. We truly hope you will join us on December 12 and learn about ADCES and how we plan to strategically position ourselves for success moving forward.
Also in December, we will host our annual leadership conference. Like the annual business meeting, this meeting will also be held virtually. This 2-day event provides opportunities to gain leadership skills and tactics to grow as leaders in the Association. It is also a venue where we highlight our outstanding ADCES members and allow them to share their successful stories of their COIs, LNGs, and CBs so others can emulate them and learn from them. This is one of my most favorite meetings. I am truly amazed each year at the talent and knowledge of our members. I always come away with so much more than I give. Thank you to all in advance for your contributions.
Last but certainly not least is our annual ADCES Diabetes Technology Conference. This is a fast-growing event that is proving to be a favorite for so many of you. This year, we are planning wonderful learning activities, and you will not be disappointed. This event will be held December 1 and 2 in Chicago: www.diabetestechconference.org.
You don’t want to miss any of these December events. Please go to our ADCES website and register today.
In addition, we have a new website—www.adces.org—that provides better access to the resources and education you are seeking.
Well, that about sums up ADCES’s 50th anniversary year. As you can see, we have accomplished so much and have so much to be proud of. As I mentioned in the January 2023 issue, ADCES was founded by 18 visionary leaders, Allene Van Son Martinez leading the way as our first president. Here we are 50 years later, and as your 50th president, I urge you all to be bold and visionary. Speak confidently about our rich history. Spread the news of our strategic plan and explain the need for the diabetes care and education specialist. Together, we are strong in numbers, and together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of people at risk for and living with diabetes.
Thank you all for entrusting in me to serve as your president for 2023. I am forever changed by this experience. I hope many of you continue to volunteer and urge others to volunteer for ADCES. Pursue a committee or a position with your LNG or CB or run for the Board of Directors. You never know where your experience will take you. What I do know is that we need you. We need visionary leaders to continue the great work that we do. I leave you with the Margaret Mead quote that I mentioned in my President’s Address at ADCES23 in Houston.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
We can do this!!! Thank you
Lucille