The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) goal is to improve diabetes outcomes through innovative education, management, and support, and it has over 12,000 members. Each year, they give out a number of awards. These are a big deal. And, this year, the 2023 Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year Award is going to <drumroll please> Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, Ph.D., APRN, CDCES, JDRF’s director of community screening and clinical trials education!

The award recognizes a diabetes specialist who has made a special contribution through dedication and innovation in the daily practice of patient care. And, oh, has Anastasia made a profound contribution! Let’s take a look:

• She has been actively involved in diabetes care, education, advocacy, and research—including being a JDRF volunteer for the past two decades—since 2002, when her daughter was diagnosed with type 1
• Anastasia is a licensed and board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and certified to train people with diabetes on how to use insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and automated insulin delivery systems (also known as artificial pancreas systems)
• She has been an avid diabetes advocate since 2002 and has spoken at congressional hearings, the White House, and in the Florida legislature
• She served as co-chair for the American Diabetes Association’s Safe at School Working Group, and was a co-author for guidelines related to diabetes management in the school setting
• Anastasia recently founded a Florida-based nonprofit, Diabetes Toolkit, designed to support the diabetes education provided in clinic

And I could go on and on…but I won’t. (But she’s got a resumé that would make anyone’s head swirl!)

The award was given to her at the ADCES Annual Conference on August 12-15, 2022. The award also provides a cash prize and a commemorative plaque.

Please applaud Anastasia on her congratulatory and well-deserved honor!