Welcome to DEEM, Diabetes Educators Educating Massachusetts. It is a new year and we have a new name! There are many exciting programs planned for this year so please check out the website for more information and you should also be receiving emails from our corresponding secretary Amanda Kirpitch. Our programs are a great way to learn new information and get CEUs. What could be better? As the president this year, I am really hoping to get new members more involved. If you have any interest in being part of the DEEM board in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me or speak with me or any other current board members at a meeting. We will be learning more over the course of the year about a new social networking program though AADE called My AADE Network. As I know more, I will keep you informed.
The Diabetes Educators of Eastern Massachusetts (DEEM) is a chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) began as a group of eight diabetes teaching nurses in August 1984. These nurses who lived within a 25-mile radius of Brockton, Massachusetts met to discuss the formation of a support group to meet on a regular basis for the purpose of sharing resources, discussing issues, and advancing the education of people with diabetes.
The first meeting was held October 25, 1984. By January 1985 the group had defined a purpose, set goals, and established bylaws. The group met monthly and grew to twelve. The name DEEM evolved.
By June of 1985 the group had grown to 24 members including educators from Boston and north, west, and south of the city. In April of 1986 the group applied to become an affiliate of AADE (the American Association of Diabetes Educators). It was made an official chapter of AADE in August of that year.
DEEM today has a membership of over 100.Those original goals of setting standards for diabetes education and improving the quality of care for people with diabetes remain an integral part of the organization.
