Blogs

Welcome to 2026: A Fresh Chapter for the Maine ADCES Community

By Rachel Koransky-Matson posted 14 hours ago
As we step into 2026, the Maine network of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) is excited to welcome you into a year of growth, connection, and renewed purpose. Over the past year, our board has been listening closely—to your feedback, your needs, and the realities of practicing diabetes care and education in Maine. The result is a thoughtful refresh designed with you at the center. What’s New (and What’s Coming) In 2026, you’ll begin to see: A refreshed online presence that makes it easier to find resources, events, and updates More meaningful opportunities for connection , including statewide discussions ...

Dietary Fiber Intake and Prostate Cancer Outcomes

By Lauren Plunkett posted 11-17-2025
Dietary Fiber Intake and Prostate Cancer Outcomes and All-Cause Mortality: Findings From a Secondary Analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Study This observational analysis examined how higher dietary fiber intake is associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer, prostate-cancer specific mortality, and all-cause mortality. The authors analyzed data from large screening and follow-up cohorts, comparing men in higher vs lower tertiles of fiber intake. They found that greater fiber consumption was linked with lower incidence of prostate cancer (in certain screening arms) and lower risk of death from all ...

New research: Why Your Daily Walk Might Not Work as Well if You're on Metformin

By Geraldine Pierre posted 11-09-2025
Some pretty eye-opening research coming out of Rutgers University et. al. regarding metformin and exercise. No matter the intensity of exercise you're doing, metformin seems to block the benefits people with diabetes should get from exercise. I look forward to more coming out about this. What are your thoughts? Why Your Daily Walk Might Not Work as Well if You're on Metformin Rutgers remove preview Why Your Daily Walk Might Not Work as Well if You're on Metformin A widely-prescribed diabetes drug may be sabotaging one of the most trusted strategies for preventing the disease: exercise. That is the conclusion of ...

Menopause and Diabetes

By Taylor Pennisi posted 10-02-2025
Menopause and Diabetes By: Ramona Hrysikos, MSN Ed, FNP-C, FNP-BC, CDCES, BC-ADM Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life. It can bring a variety of physical and emotional changes. For women already managing diabetes, the onset of menopause can add a layer of complexity to an already demanding health routine and overall health. The hormonal changes during menopause and the significant decline in estrogen and progesterone levels can impact insulin sensitivity. Glucose regulation and metabolism are affected by Estrogen levels. Estrogen has a role in regulating glucose metabolism, and when its levels drop, insulin resistance can ...

Sliding Scale Insulin

By Taylor Pennisi posted 06-26-2025
Sliding Scale Insulin What is sliding scale insulin (SSI)? SSI is a method used to manage blood glucose levels by adjusting the insulin dose based on the patient’s current blood glucose level It is frequently seen in place of prandial insulin in the outpatient setting - when combined with basal insulin, this is referred to as a “sliding scale-basal insulin” regimen Pros & Cons of SSI Pros: Easily adjustable Can be personalized for each patient Cons: Sliding Scale insulin is based on pre-meal glucose levels with no regard to post-meal spike Rather than preventing hyperglycemia, it ...

Lights, Camera, ACTION!!!! The Networking Event is HERE

By Ann Hornsby posted 06-11-2025
The Thursday before all of the ADCES25 activity, a very important event takes place…………The CB (Community Board)/LNG (Local Networking Group)/COI (Community of Interest) Networking event. It’s an opportunity for members to mingle with other members, introduce themselves to other states, local networking groups and Communities of Interest. Why is this important - we get to connect. Connecting to others is a valuable asset because we learn from others and others learn from you. It’s important to come into the room and start introducing yourself - Don’t be shy, just say HI! Here’s how it works - each state or community of interests will have a table. ...

EXPLORE THE NEWEST IN DIABETES CARE TECHNOLOGY

By Lisa Diaz, CDCES posted 05-15-2025
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles ADCES Diabetes Tech Symposium on June 7th. Join us for the latest updates on therapies and innovative technology that can transform lives. Be part of the future of diabetes management! https://www.adces.org/education/events/unlisted-detail/los-angeles-lng-2025-diabetes-technology-symposium  ͏ ‌ ‌ ...

November Blog - What happens when we stop GLP-1 receptor agonists?

By Courtney Cameron posted 11-29-2024
What happens when we stop GLP-1 receptor agonists? Author: Shelley Jeon, PharmD Candidate 2025, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy Reviewer: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP What data are available on weight regain after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists? Data from randomized controlled trials suggest that withdrawing either glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists or dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists leads to a substantial regain of lost weight. The STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity) 1 trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial ...

Public Health Highlight- Open Hand Atlanta

By Chelsea Hawkins posted 11-22-2024
I had the pleasure of interview Kristen Avera from Open Hand Atlanta to learn more about her program addressing food insecurity with women living with gestational diabetes. The interview recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/9_V04RqDUak or you can read the transcript below! Tell us about yourself. I'm Kristen Avera. I am a registered dietitian. I've been a dietitian for about 10 years. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for about four years and then in my current organization with Open Hand for about four years as well. So, currently serving as our Nutrition Services manager, we have an awesome group of dietitians throughout our ...

September Blog - Fructosamine Testing for Glycemic Control

By Courtney Cameron posted 09-27-2024
Fructosamine Testing for Glycemic Control: When and Why to Order Fructosamine Tests and How to Interpret the Results Author: Emilia Kapcia, PharmD Candidate 2025, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy Reviewer: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP What are HbA1c and fructosamine tests in diabetes? Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition characterized by high blood glucose. Diabetes causes significant morbidity, disability, and premature mortality through microvascular and macrovascular complications, which can be delayed and even prevented by achieving and maintaining glycemic control. 1 Fructosamine and hemoglobin ...

June Blog- How does the efficacy of Rybelsus compare to DPP4s and SGLT2s in patients with T2DM?

By Christina Inteso posted 06-18-2024
Title: How does the efficacy of Rybelsus compare to DPP4s and SGLT2s in patients with T2DM? Author: Jiwoo Lee, PharmD Candidate 2024, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy Reviewer: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP What is Rybelsus? Rybelsus (semaglutide) is the first oral GLP-1 RA approved by the FDA to improve glycemic control in patients with T2DM in conjunction with diet and exercise. The medication is available in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg tablets; the manufacturer recommends initiating with 3mg once daily for 30 days and then escalating to 7mg. The dose can further be increased to 14mg in patients requiring additional ...

April Blog- Navigating GLP1 Shortages

By Christina Inteso posted 04-03-2024
Stretched Thin On GLP-1/GIP Agonists: Tips for navigating the national shortages By: Bharathi Ravikumar, PharmD and Kaitlyn Craddock, PharmD, BCACP GLP-1 agonists and GLP-1/GIP agonist injectable medications have exploded in popularity across the nation. It seems like everyone from family members to next door neighbors to celebrities are on these medications for weight loss and/or type 2 diabetes treatment. The effectiveness of these medications, once weekly dosing, and ease of administration have made these injections an ideal choice to incorporate into busy lifestyles. With the rise in usage came the subsequent national shortages of these medications. ...

Nutrition that Reduces Hot Flashes (2023 study)

By Lauren Plunkett posted 03-10-2024
Dietary advanced glycation end-products and postmenopausal hot flashes: A post-hoc analysis of a 12-week randomized clinical trial (March 24, 2023) - click for the full study The participants in this study are postmenopausal women aged 40-65 and although living with diabetes was not a requirement of the study, the intervention is promising in reducing hot flashes while supportive of preventive health for women living with diabetes and/or insulin resistance. Objective: Dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) may act as endocrine disruptors, this study examined the potential association of modifications to the intake of dietary AGEs with ...

January Blog - GLP1s and risk of retinopathy

By Courtney Cameron posted 01-27-2024
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and Diabetic Retinopathy Prepared by: Emily Short, PharmD, PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident, Boston Medical Center What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and is one of the most common causes of vision loss worldwide among individuals aged 25 to 74 years. 1 In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated about 9.6 million people across the United States had been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, of which 1.84 million have vision-threatening DR. 2 The development of DR in patients with diabetes occurs ...

January 22nd WV LNG Virtual Event - Advocacy

By Mary Treadway posted 01-17-2024
WV Local Networking Group (LNG) is very excited to have the opportunity have Andrea McCarty, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES speak about patient advocacy related to patients living with diabetes. Andrea is currently employed by WVU as a Certified Diabetes Dietitian at the Pediatric Endocrinology office. Andrea is also involved with the ADCES Advocacy Committee. At the end of the presentation, we will also be discussing with attendees at which location we would want to host our 2024 Diabetes Symposium. WV has not sponsored the Diabetes Symposium since 2016 and we are excited to get it rejuvenated again to provide a support system for the providers providing care for patients ...

Interview with an Entrepreneur: Quisha Umemba MPH, BSN, RN, CDCES, CHWI

By Sarah Hormachea posted 01-15-2024
As the CEO of Umemba Health, Quisha Umemba (pronounced "Kwee-shuh oooMEMbuh") brings over 20 years of diverse experience to her roles as a registered nurse, public health consultant, and entrepreneur. Quisha has developed, implemented, and overseen numerous health initiatives and community collaborations throughout her career. Specializing in Workforce Training and Development, her training approach blends conventional, experiential, and transformational methods to create engaging educational content, delivered across various platforms. Her distinctive approach has earned her the moniker "The Trainer's Trainer." An advocate for health equity, her life's ...

New Medication approved by the FDA for Chronic Weight Management!

By Marilyn Cox posted 11-30-2023
The FDA announced November 8, 2023 that it granted approval to Eli Lilly and Co. for Zepbound (tirzepatide) via priority review and fast track designation for chronic weight management (CWM). This is an injectable prescription medicine indicated for CWM in adults with obesity (body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m2), or with an overweight BMI (at least 27 kg/m2) AND at least one weight related chronic disease/comorbidity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It should be used in conjunction with increased physical activity and a reduced calorie diet. Zepbound (tirzepatide) is administered as a once weekly subcutaneous ...

October Blog - SGLT2i in surgery

By Courtney Cameron posted 10-28-2023
Title: Management of SGLT2i in Patients with Diabetes Preparing for Surgery Author: Vivian Tran, PharmD Candidate 2024, University of Rhode Island School of Pharmacy Reviewer: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP Background The management of diabetes is often complex, involving a combination of lifestyle changes, pharmacologic therapy, and even surgical interventions. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes and established ASCVD or multiple risk factors for ASCVD. These agents have also shown efficacy and mortality benefit in patients with heart failure and chronic ...

An interesting post from DiaTribe - The Cause of Type 2 Diabetes May Not Be What You Think

By Ann Hornsby posted 10-10-2023
By Susannah Chen A newly published study found that type 2 diabetes is not attributed to having obesity as defined by BMI. Rather, each individual’s genetics determine whether or not they have become too heavy for their body and have too much fat inside the pancreas and liver than they can tolerate. The onset of type 2 diabetes is not attributed to having obesity as defined by body mass index (BMI) , a new study has found. It’s actually caused by having more fat inside the liver and pancreas than that particular person can handle. Dr. Roy Taylor, professor of medicine and metabolism at the University of Newcastle School of Medicine in England ...

August Blog - GLP1s in history of cholelithiasis

By Courtney Cameron posted 08-29-2023
Title : Use of GLP1-RAs in patients with a history of cholelithiasis Author: Sarah Hughes, PharmD Candidate 2024 University of Rhode Island, School of Pharmacy Reviewer: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP Background Cholelithiasis, also known as gallstones, are hardened collections of bile materials such as cholesterol or bilirubin that collect at the bottom of the gallbladder. The size of a gallstone can vary and most of the time, they do not cause an issue until they get loose and travel into the bile ducts. When a gallstone gets loose it can travel through the bile ducts to the liver or the small intestine causing an obstruction ...