Directing the Future of Diabetes Self-management

I t' s that time of the year again at AADE as our energies move full force into planning for the 2006 AADE Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which will take place in Los Angeles, August 9-12. This year's theme, "Directing the Future of Malinda M. Peeples, MS, RN, CDE Diabetes Self-management," will make apparent the new mission of AADE: Driving professional practice to promote healthy living through self-management of diabetes and related conditions. From our members and through AADE organizational scanning activities, we know that educators are working in more diverse settings with more diseases than just diabetes. For most of us, this means not only personal and professional change but also organizational systems change. This year's Annual Meeting and Exhibition will provide you with the opportunity to learn key organizational strategies to apply in your practice to improve the delivery of self-management training and support. Also, you will learn the latest on new and evolving interventions for improving patient outcomes. This emphasis will be evident in all aspects of the meeting, including our general session speakers. Let me share with you those speakers. Regardless of your politics, you can't argue that one of the most influential voices in health care policy today belongs to Newt Gingrich. The former speaker of the House will open the meeting by sharing his revolutionary ideas on transforming health care, in particular, chronic disease care. Other influential general session speakers include Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, who is one of the earliest pioneers in the mindlbody holistic health movement and the first to recognize the role of the spirit in health and the recovery from illness. She's a nationally recognized medical reformer and educator who views the practice of medicine as a spiritual path. We think her talk will be fascinating. You'll also be treated to Larry Wallack, DrPH, a professor of public health emeritus with the University of California, Berkeley. He will talk in depth about how major public health and social issues are framed in the news media. His talk will particularly resonate for those of you who read the recent series in The New York Times (a link to this series can be found in your January issue of the e-FYI member newsletter). Another general session speaker we're proud to have is David Bornstein, a journalist who will share his thoughts on changing the world through social entrepreneurship and the power of new ideas. We think you'll agree that this couldn't come at a better time. And last, we're particularly thrilled to have Ed Wagner, MD, MPH, FACP, speak. If you read the December issue of e-FYI, you'll already be familiar with him. He's the architect of the Chronic Care Model, which AADE has embraced. While we've already given you a first glimpse of his work, you'll get the chance to hear how the Chronic Care Model can provide a framework for "Directing the Future of Diabetes Self-management." In addition to the general sessions, research presentations, and posters, we have added two additional meeting formats. Each day, there will be a session titled "Application to Practice," in which presenters will use