As we quickly approach our November 7th deadline for the second-annual Diabetes Educator of the Year Contest, we want to encourage you to tell us about an inspirational healthcare professional you know who is dedicated to fighting diabetes, and has made a difference in your life, or in the life of a loved one.

At ADW, we have set out to pay tribute to these educators, which include certified diabetes educators, nurses, and physicians, who consistently show compassion and an unfaltering commitment to their work, patients, and diabetes community. If you have someone that you think deserves to be the 2008 Diabetes Educator of the Year, we’d love to hear from you!

The nomination process is easy - just visit www.AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com/Contest and fill out the required information. Our winner will be flown in for a two-night, three-day stay at one of South Florida’s most beautiful resorts, the Boca Raton Resort & Club. He or she will also be honored in a special ceremony coordinated by all of us here at ADW, together with our local diabetes advocate partners.

Last year’s winner, Barbara J. Odom, RN, PHN, M.ED is an extraordinary example of the loyalty and devotion that we at American Diabetes Wholesale so admire. She is U.S. Navy Veteran, a registered nurse of 36 years and has been a certified diabetes educator since 1985. Since retiring from the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in June 2001, she has worked independently and volunteered her time in the San Diego Community and throughout the country. She is motivated by her love of nursing, teaching and helping others. She facilitates a monthly support group in Southeast San Diego, does workshop presentations on diabetes and other health concerns at churches, community groups and health fairs.

Help us continue to recognize those who are making a difference - go to www.AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com/Contest before November 7th and tell us about that special person who you think should be the 2008 Diabetes Educator of the Year!

Thank you again for all your support; we couldn’t continue to do this without you. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and we look forward to hearing about the exceptional diabetes educator in your life!

All the best,
Your American Diabetes Wholesale Team

From Aug 6th – 9th the American Diabetes Wholesale along side with Dr Kim Mistiszyn & Marlene Koch attended the 2008 AADE annual conference in Washington DC. It was a great experience for me to learn more about the new technologies and advances that were displayed and discussed by all the companies who were exhibiting. Some of my favorites include the EatSmart Nutritional Scale, the new Medifridge II, and some of the new continuous glucose monitoring systems. This was the second year that we attended the AADE annual conference. It was a pleasure to have our Destination Diabetes Nutritional Advisor – Marlene Koch there to give- a-way several copies of her 375 Sensational Splenda Recipes book: Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories

Over 3,000 healthcare professional dedicated to diabetes flew in from around the country to learn more about diabetes. ADW was warmly welcomed by many of them who stopped by our booth, it was great to see so many diabetes educators passionate to learn more about treating diabetes. I personally met with several hundred and discussed ways in which ADW can assist them in their efforts to help their patients manage diabetes.

We also launched our 2nd annual Diabetes Educator of the Year contest at the conference. This was a perfect place to introduce our contest to the healthcare professionals who work hard everyday fighting diabetes. If you feel your educator is deserving of this award please vote today!

Last Friday, American Diabetes Wholesale honored the winner of ADW’s Diabetes Educator of the year 2007 - Barbara Odom. We had a ceremony at our office with a few key speakers and some of Barbara’s family members. This was a great day for ADW as we rewarded Barbara for all her hard work. Barbara Odom is a truly amazing individual who is dedicated to her profession and to her patients. As the winner, she received a free two night stay at the luxurious Boca Resort and Spa.

American Diabetes Wholesale’s Diabetes Educator of the Year contest was created to honor and reward these healthcare professionals who are on the front lines helping in the fight against diabetes. Due to the great success of the first ever Diabetes Educator of the Year contest, our company has decided to make this an annual event. We understand the import role these educators play and we are hoping to have an even bigger event next year!

Congratulations Barbara – ADW is proud and honored to have you named our first ever Diabetes Educator of the Year!

Due to the incredible volume of votes in our Diabetes Educator Of The Year Contest, we extended a winner’s runoff for the top five finalists. Now you have a second chance to vote for your favorite diabetes educator and help them win a luxurious vacation in sunny South Florida for a 3 day/2 night stay at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

Here are the finalists (listed alphabetically), and remember - voting ends on February 15, 2008, and the winner announced on March 1, 2008!

Dr. Richard K. Bernstein

Richard K. Bernstein, M.D. has educated people with diabetes since the mid 1970’s, before titles like CDE, or groups such as the AADE (American Association of Diabetes Educators) even existed. His efforts have been critical in the development of modern diabetes self-management practices and technologies. He has helped thousands of patients over the years, and continues to reach even more through the six books he has authored, and via his monthly teleconference at www.diabetesincontrol.com.

Marcia D. Draheim

Marcia D. Draheim became a Certified Diabetes Educator 17 years ago when she realized, as a CDE, she could provide better information to and create self-management tools for her patients with diabetes. One of her eventual goals is to become President of the AADE (American Association of Diabetes Educators). Marcia says the most rewarding aspect of being a CDE is helping her patients realize that with proper self-management their lifestyles are no different than that of anyone else.

Fran Kiger

Fran Kiger, RN, CDE, is a co-founder of the Diabetes Care Center of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in 1988. Some of the biggest perks of her job include seeing a patient with an A1C level of 6.2%. After diabetes affected some members of her family, Fran decided to become a certified diabetes educator, and dedicates her days to helping people with diabetes empower themselves, and realize their true potential.

Barbara J. (Clay) Odom

Barbara J. (Clay) Odom, a U.S. Navy Veteran and Registered Nurse of 36 years, became a Certified Diabetes Educator in 1985. She retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in June 2001, and she now volunteers independently in the San Diego community and nationwide. Barbara facilitates a monthly support group in Southeast San Diego, and enjoys helping others through workshop presentations on diabetes and other health concerns at churches, community groups and health fairs.

Dr. Mary C. Vernon

Dr. Mary C. Vernon, M.D., C.M.D., is a nationally recognized expert on low-carbohydrate dieting and its benefits on diabetes management, especially for Type 2 diabetics. She appears regularly in the media, and has been published numerous times in magazines such as “Men’s Health”. She is a major proponent of the Atkins Diet and serves as a member of the Atkins Physicians Council, as well as maintaining a private practice in Lawrence, Kansas.

American Diabetes Wholesale’s CDE of the Year Award nominations have all been submitted and it has been narrowed down to five finalist.  We will list and provide a short biography of each of the five finalist by January 15, 2008 on our website.

We will allow one more final chance to vote for the CDE that you feel deserves to be named the CDE of the Year and win a trip to Boca Raton, FL.