On July 10th the San Diego LNG hosted an evening recognizing our diabetes educators at Cutwater Spirits. Educators were treated to appetizers while socializing and networking and given a rose in appreciation of their work. Ten vendors provided educational material and information for helping our patients. We also acknowledged the founding members of the organization by displaying pictures and items from the early years of the organization. These items included awards earned by the organization, pamphlets provided to schools, buttons promoting educators, games for learning about managing diabetes, and many other items. Early members present were Gayle Lorenzi and Jane Springer.
The San Diego Association of Diabetes Educators was formed as the first chapter of AADE in Southern California in 1985 by a group of diabetes educators in San Diego. In 1983-84 this group would take as many of three carloads of people to the monthly meeting of the Diabetes Teaching Nurses of Southern California in Monrovia. The time commitment of traveling to Monrovia kept many San Diego educators from attending. Discussions regarding starting a group in San Diego began, and on September 12, 1985 we were recognized as a chapter at the 12th National AADE meeting in Phoenix, AZ. The first officers were Christine Biby – President, MaDonna Carlson – President-Elect, Robin Crabtree – Secretary, and Claudia Dion – Treasurer. We thank this group for the wonderful organization that they started.