CDCES
Important News
The 2026 Scholarship Application is NOW OPEN!
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Scholarship Program Overview
CBDCE has established a scholarship program to support the journey of health professionals in the specialty and to encourage diversity in the pool of health professionals holding the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential.
Individuals chosen as scholarship recipients are provided with an opportunity to take the practice examination at no cost and apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost. Individuals have 1 year from the date of the award to make use of the award and will need to document meeting all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of application for the Examination. The current value of each scholarship is $405.
Five categories have been established across a wide range. Between twenty and forty scholarships will be awarded in any given year.
Individuals may apply for more than one category but can only be awarded a maximum of one scholarship in any given year. Applications must be submitted separately for each category. The scholarship program is for individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification. Apply today!
Individuals chosen as scholarship recipients are provided with an opportunity to take the practice examination at no cost and apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost. Individuals have 1 year from the date of the award to make use of the award and will need to document meeting all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of application for the Examination. The current value of each scholarship is $405.
Five categories have been established across a wide range. Between twenty and forty scholarships will be awarded in any given year.
Individuals may apply for more than one category but can only be awarded a maximum of one scholarship in any given year. Applications must be submitted separately for each category. The scholarship program is for individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification. Apply today!
CDCES Scholarship Program
Scholarship recipients can take the practice exam & apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost (valued at $405)
Scholarship Categories:
Scholarship Categories:
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Profession Expansion
- Veterans & Active Military Service
- Young Professional Under 30
- Under-Resourced Population
Categories
Diversity & Inclusion
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague.
Profession Expansion
Includes health professionals with qualifying licenses, registrations, or degrees other than RN or RD/RDN, e.g., ACSM-CEP, MSW or Unique Qualifications Pathway (UQP) candidate. Primary criteria: Individual verifies meeting a discipline requirement other than RN or RD/RDN. Provides proof of current qualifying license, registration or degree other than RN or RDN; or submission of transcript verifying the award of a degree qualifying for the UQP. Visit the UQP section on the eligibility web page for more information. You will need to provide a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague.
Veterans & Active Military Service
Includes both health professionals who are veterans or holding active military status or health professionals currently working with people with diabetes in either population. Primary criteria: Applicant verifies holds veteran status or active military status or works with people with diabetes who are veterans or hold active military status. You will need to provide proof below AND letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague.
For veterans or those in military service, provide proof of military service by one of the following:
- Proof of military service forms: DD Form 214 or DD Form 215: Veterans
- Military ID Card: Active Duty, Retiree, National Guard, Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve
- Veterans ID card
- Veterans designation on driver’s license or state veterans ID card
For health professionals serving veterans or those holding active military status: provide a letter from a supervisor that verifies meeting this requirement.
Young Professional, under 30
Includes health professionals who are less than 30 years of age with qualifying license, registration, or degree for the standard pathway or UQP candidate. Primary criteria: Individual verifies being under the age of 30 with a qualifying license, registration, or degree for the standard pathway or qualifying degree for the UQP. You will need to provide proof of birthdate, e.g., birth certificate, drivers license; AND proof of qualifying qualifying license, registration, or degree for the standard pathway or UQP candidate. Visit the UQP section on the eligibility web page for more information. You will also need to provide a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague.
Under-Resourced Population
Includes health professionals working with under-resourced populations. Primary criteria: Individual verifies she/he is working with under-resourced populations. You will need to provide a statement from a supervisor verifying the applicant is working with an under-resourced population, AND a letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague. Under-resourced populations are those that receive fewer health care services, encounter barriers to accessing primary health care services (e.g., economic, cultural, and/or linguistic); have a lack of familiarity with the health care delivery system; and face a shortage of readily available providers.
Prepare
Applications for the 2026 Scholarship Award Program will be accepted from March 15 - May 15, 2026 (closes 5pm Central Time).
Before applying, have your letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague ready to upload, along with any other documents as identified in the specific scholarship category.
All applicants will also need to answer these two questions as part of the application - maximum 150 word count each:
- What are your career goals and how will obtaining the CDCES credential help you to achieve them?
- What experiences in your life or career have been influential in your chosen goal choice?
Apply
CBDCE recommends completing the application form on a desktop/laptop. Using a mobile phone or tablet to complete the form may not provide the best experience.
Scholarship Winners
2025 Winners
Congratulations to the 2025* CDCES Scholarship Program recipients! We wish you much success in your journey to becoming a CDCES!
*2021-2024 Recipients listed below.
2025 Scholarship Recipients |
City, State |
| Temitope AlaoSanni, RD, CHES, MPH, MBA | Katy, TX |
| Vanessa Almanzar, RN, BSN, CCM | Groveland, FL |
| Sarah Anderson, RDN | Philadelphia, PA |
| Lynsi Beers, RD, LDN | Pinehurst, NC |
| Lauren Berry, RDN, LD | North Ridgeville, OH |
| Megan Breen, MPH | Willaimsville, NY |
| Saleena Brownell, Pharm.D., BCPS, CPP | Webster, NC |
| Jessie Carpenter, MA, MS, RD, LD | Adams, MA |
| Victoria Carrasco, MS, RD, LD | Corpus Christi, TX |
| Dasha Cathey, PharmD | Red Oak, TX |
| Denisse Colina, RN | Naples, FL |
| Mikayla Cooley, BSN, RN | Queen Creek, AZ |
| Demi Danso Odei, MPH, MSMS | Gainesville, FL |
| Joshua Davis, MS, ACSM-CEP | Springfield, OR |
| Alicia de Oliveira, MHS, MSN, RN | Hopedale, MA |
| Andres Delgado, RDN, LD | El Paso, TX |
| Lacey Dennis, BSN, RN | Athens, TN |
| Maya Dominique, MD, MPH, FACOG | Merrillville, IN |
| Cheri Flores, BSN, RN | Little Elm, TX |
| Anna Fogel, MPH, RD | Seattle, WA |
| Sarah Gleason, JD, BSN, RN, WTA-C | Bridgeville, PA |
| Jun Han, MPH, RDN, LD | Foster City, CA |
| Shannon Hellman, MSSA, LISW-S | Franklin, OH |
| Alaina Hernandez, FNP-C | Texarkana, TX |
| Quiana Howard, MSN, RN-BC | Cleveland Hts, OH |
| Shemeika Howze, BSN, RN | Blythewood, SC |
| Connor Hummel, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP | Wauwatosa, WI |
| Paul Hunt, BA, MA, ACSM-CEP, CCRP | Oroville, CA |
| Lovelle Jefferson, BSN RN NCSN | Fredericksburg, VA |
| Carlette Johnson, MSN, RN | Chesterfield, VA |
| Leslie Johnson, MS, RD, LD | Sandusky, OH |
| Israel Jurado, BS, MPH, MCHES, RDN | Fairfield, CA |
| Oniel Laucella, DNP, APRN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, APHN-BC, CWP | Sebastian, FL |
| Kim Lynch, BS, ACSM-CEP | Applegate, CA |
| Abigail Manasco, RDN, LD | Helena, AL |
| Ilona Marchuk, BSN | Republic, MO |
| Juline Moussa, MS | Dover, PA |
| Katherine ODonnell, MS, RDN | Babylon, NY |
| Hiral Patel, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC | Fairless Hills, PA |
| Rey Paolo Ernesto Jimenez Roca III, MSN, RN, CNE, PMH-BC, NE-BC | Norwalk, CA |
| Kaylyn Sanchez, BSN, RN | Las Vegas, NV |
| Alice Scott, MSN, RN | Westerville, OH |
| Andrea Singh, DPM | Kissimmee, FL |
| Julie Smith, BSN, RN | Morehead, KY |
| Terri Smith, DBH, LMSW, LPN | Purvis, MS |
| Danielle Tinsley, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC | Butte, MT |
| Elizabeth Tran, Pharm.D. | Fountain Valley, CA |
| Ivy Tran, RDN, LD | Las Vegas, NV |
| Michael Tran, PharmD | Yukon, OH |
| Lily Vu, PharmD | Santa Ana, CA |
2024 Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 CDCES Scholarship Program recipients!
|
2023 Winners
Congratulations to the 2023 CDCES Scholarship Program recipients!
2023 Scholarship Recipients |
City, State |
| Kathryn Abramowich, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CNL | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Amr Arafa, RMA, MD | Allentown, PA |
| Nadia Barnini, MS, ACSM-CEP | Satellite Beach, FL |
| Philip Baughey, BSN, RN | Muncie, IN |
| Kaitlin Beggs, APRN | Shawnee, KS |
| Kristi Cheng, MPH, RDN | San Francisco, CA |
| Cynthia Clark, BSN, RN | Heber Springs, AR |
| Vanessa Clermont, BS, MS, CDN | Brooklyn, NY |
| Samantha Codes, RN | Annapolis, MD |
| Ashley Coleman, MSN, RN | Keystone Heights, FL |
| Lila Cornelio, RDN, LDN | Pensacola, FL |
| Wendy Donato, PharmD, BCNPS | Clermont, FL |
| Tameria English, MBA, RDN | Detroit, MI |
| Patti Esposito, RDN | Montclair, NJ |
| Amber Foster, BSN, RN | Florissant, MO |
| Courtney Fuller, RD, LD | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| Jennifer Gherau, RDN, LD | Irving, TX |
| Fransini Giraldo, RN | Los Angeles, CA |
| Tela Gould, RN | Portage, MI |
| Elizabeth Haeussler, RN | Bayamon, PR |
| Michelle Hall, PharmD, BCPS | Moseley, VA |
| Jazmine Harris, BS, BSN, RN | Raymore, MO |
| Melissa Hayes, MSN, RN | Lufkin, TX |
| Heather Heanssler, MSN, APRN, FNP-C | Orrington, ME |
| Angela Henry-Carmouche, RN, MHA | Breaux Bridge, LA |
| Kathryn Hoffman, MS, RD, CDN | Farmingdale, NY |
| Rachael Holley, LCSW, MSW | Denver, CO |
| Cherika Johnson, PharmD, AAHIVP | Henderson, NV |
| Roxanne Jordan Dukes, RN | Thomasville, GA |
| Kimaya Joshi, RDN | Los Angeles, CA |
| James Klauder, RD, LDN | Plantation, FL |
| Kanika Kochhar, DPM | Northville, MI |
| Shadia Kreit, RPh | Kingwood, TX |
| Elisabeth Lavinder, MSN, RN | Milton, FL |
| Melissa Ledwell, RN | Olmsted Twp, OH |
| Anesha Lewis, BSN, RN | , NC |
| Gazania McCoy, MSTCM, L.Ac, DAIM (C) | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Gretchen Medina (Quiteles), BSN, RN | Arlington, VA |
| Samantha Oakley, MA, RD, LD | Springdale, AR |
| Chloe Palmquist, BSN, RN | Hammond, WI |
| Walter Perez, MSN, NP | Los Angeles, CA |
| Kristine Ann Phansana, PHARMD, RPh, NASM-CPT, NASM-CNC | Katy, TX |
| Lauri Philpot, RN | Rose, OK |
| Teseena Puthuppadiyil Pathrose, BSN, RN | Carrollton, TX |
| Megan Robertson, RN | Saratoga Springs, NY |
| Natalie Rodriguez, PharmD, BCACP | Philadelphia, PA |
| Romeo Sanchez, Jr., PharmD, RPh | McAllen, TX |
| Ryan Santanna-Hart, MS, RDN | Chico, CA |
| Sherri Shelton Johnson, DPT, PT | Douglasville, GA |
| Stephanie Shiu, MPH, RD, LD | Coos Bay, OR |
| Cortessia Sullivan, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, RN | Helena, AL |
| Alyssa Thomas, MS, RDN, LD | Hanover Township, PA |
| Jecelyn Thorne, RN, BSN | Brandon, SD |
| Kathryn Topalis, MD | Philadelphia, PA |
| Ana Torres, RD, LD | Socorro, TX |
| Windy Vaughs, RN, IBCLC | Haleiwa, HI |
| Brittney Wiblin, MS, ACSM-CEP | Tacoma, WA |
| Amanda Williamson, MSN, RN | Fort Smith, AR |
| Keri Yee, MS, RD, CSR, LD | Spring, TX |
| Olga Yefremenkova, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC | Davis, CA |
2022 Winners
| 2022 Scholarship Recipients | City, State |
|---|---|
|
Debi Arnold, MS, RDN, LD |
Green Forest, AR |
|
John Aurora Jr, PharmD, BCACP |
Norfolk, MA |
| Raquel Banks, RN BSN | Troy, MI |
| Radha Bernander, PA-C | Richmond, TX |
| Jessica Bollig, MMN, RDN, LMNT | Elkhorn, NE |
| Randy Brooks, RN | Bend, OR |
| Hannah Cage, BSN, RN | Dunlap, IL |
| Hayley Carey, PharmD, BCPS | Lapel, IN |
| Madeline Carlson, BSN, RN | Uniontown, OH |
| Danielle Casey, RN | Pleasanton, KS |
| Genevieve Correa, PT, DPT | Kaunakakai, HI |
| Jana Daughtrey, MSN, RN | Magnolia, NC |
| Chelsea Duffiney, RDN | Ypsilanti, MI |
| Brooke Duncan, RD, LD | Salem, OR |
| Catherine Ferguson, RPh | Sicklerville, NJ |
| Elizabeth Ferrer, RD, LD/N, CNSC | Miami, FL |
| Nicole Florio, MS, ACSM-CEP | Marlton, NJ |
| Sarah Gregg, RN, MSN | Harvey, ND |
| Kendra Harmon, MSPH, RD, LDN | Chicago, IL |
| Rachel Illias, PharmD, RPh | Glenwood Springs, CO |
| Shyron King, BSN, RN, CMSRN | Kansas City, KS |
| Karen Klefot, RD LD | Nicholasville, KY |
| Elizabeth Koustis, MS, RDN, CSR, LD | Berea, OH |
| Elizabeth LaRue, MS, RD, CDN | Honeoye Falls, NY |
| Sarah Lee, PharmD, BCACP | Egg Harbor Township, NJ |
| Mary Lynch Delaney, RD, LDN | Rehoboth, MA |
| Rachel Mahalow, MS, RD, CPT | Hillsborough, NJ |
| Norah Makori, BSN, RN | Rochester, MN |
| Iris McDuffie, MS,RDN,LD | Florence, SC |
| Nicole Miller, MS, RD, CSG | Maple Valley, WA |
| Kim Molloy, BSN, RN | Lexington, KY |
| Ottamissiah Moore, BS, RN, WCC, DWC, CHPN, CAEd | Washington, DC |
| Kevin Nash, MSN, APRN | Massillon, OH |
| Rebecca O'Brien, RD, CDN, CHWC | Stamford, CT |
| Merin Panthapattu, PharmD | Oceanside, NY |
| April Pearson, RN | Versailles, KY |
| Ayesha Qaadir, MSN, RN, NCSN | Lansing, IL |
| Maggie Quinn, ND | Miami, FL |
| Mayra Sanchez, MS, RDN, LD | El Paso, TX |
| Challsey Scallon, MS, RN | Devils Lake, ND |
| Kristen Silverman, RDN, CD | Whitefish Bay, WI |
| Rossella Suglia, MS, RDN, LD, NREMT | Cleveland, OH |
| Elizabeth Thompson, MSN, ANP-BC | Kansas City, MO |
| Rhonda Thompson, BA, BSC, OD | Royal Oak, MI |
| Hanna Thomsen, RDN, LD | Cincinnati, OH |
| Candice Tufano, RD, LD | Lexington, KY |
| Tyler Walsh, PharmD | Conway, AR |
| Gustavus Washington, MSA, BSN, RN-BC | Monroe, LA |
| Aleisha White, MSN, RN | Mount Carmel, TN |
| Michelle Wo, MS, RDN, LD | Houston, TX |
| Taylor Wording, RDN, LD | Gainesville, FL |
| Sara Zellers, MS, RDN, LDN | Collierville, TN |
2021 Winners
|
2021 Scholarship Recipients |
City, State |
|---|---|
|
Kelsey Airth, BSN, RN |
Parker, CO |
|
Jessica Alemar, MSN, APRN, FNP-C |
Copperas Cove, TX |
|
Evita Allen, MS, RD, LD |
Trussville, AL |
|
Adaolisa Anaka, Pharm.D, AAHIVP |
Ridgefield, NJ |
|
Chelsey Ankrah, Pharm.D. |
Stockton, CA |
|
Lisa Arteaga, MS, RD, LDN |
Berwyn, IL |
|
Geralyn Avellino, BS MA PT |
Massapequa Park, NY |
|
Melissa Ballard, MSW |
Portland, OR |
|
Alura Baxter, RDN/LD |
Miramar, FL |
|
Chase Board, PharmD |
Ansonia, CT |
|
Audrey Bogue, MS, RDN, LD |
Nacogdoches, TX |
|
Cynthia Borders, RDN, LDN, IBCLC |
Sunset Beach, NC |
|
Sharony Brown, RDN, LDN |
Chicago, IL |
|
Karen Brown-Hicks, BSN, RN |
Brooklyn, NY |
|
Wanda Carter-Calhoun, DHSc, MPH, MCHES |
Atlanta, GA |
|
Isis Castillo, BSN,RN |
Corona, CA |
|
Aloima Cata, BSN, RN |
Naples, FL |
|
Ruhamah Caulkins, MHS, RD, LDN |
Bryson City, NC |
|
Nancy Chun-Ching Chen, MPH,RDN |
Blythe, CA |
|
Jean Chen-Vitulli, DPM, MS |
Wappingers Falls, NY |
|
Gentle Chikani, MS, RD, LD |
Bothell, WA |
|
Vibha Choudhary, PharmD |
Oviedo, FL |
|
Kaleena Clarkson, MS, RD, CDN |
Bronx, NY |
|
Megan Coleman, PharmD, BCPS, CPP |
Lancaster, SC |
|
Christie Cooper, APRN, FNP-C, BSN, RN |
Hammond, LA |
|
Jessica Cremisino, BSN, RN |
Mesa, AZ |
|
Emily Curlin, MS, RD, LD, MPH |
Morrisville, NC |
|
Yuriy Didukh, BSN, RN |
Rochester, NY |
|
Jodell Dragon, RD, CNSC |
Hayward, CA |
|
Rayleen Earney, M.Ed. Health Promotion |
Las Vegas, NV |
|
Brittany Ebers, MPPD, RD/LD |
Jay, OK |
|
Adriana Esquivel, BSN, RN |
Elgin, TX |
|
Jacqueline Farber, RDN |
Troy, MI |
|
Syeda Farid, MS,RDN,LD |
Chicago, IL |
|
Jerrie Freeman, DHSc, PA-C |
Martinez, GA |
|
Jordain Gagliardi, OTD, OTR/L, MHA |
Salem, OR |
|
Angie Galetti, PharmD |
Anaconda, MT |
|
Patrice Garcia, DNP, MSN, FNP, CNP, BSN, RN |
Fort Worth, TX |
|
Bertha "Lily" Gonzalez, MPH |
Yakima, WA |
|
Megan Greathouse, RD, LDN |
Candler, NC |
|
Elizabeth Hassinger, MS, RD, LDN |
Illiopolis, IL |
|
Tolores Holmes, RN |
Fort Washington, MD |
|
Grace Huebner, MS, RDN, CD |
Mazomanie, WI |
|
Mohammad Islam, RPh |
Nashville, TN |
|
Josephine Jackson, APRN,DNP |
Lexa, AR |
|
Leah Judice, MS, RDN, LDN |
Auburn, AL |
|
Kerry Kennedy, RN |
Gowanda, NY |
|
Tracy King, RN |
Lambertville, MI |
|
Tamara Laws, BSN, RN |
Holyoke, CO |
|
Courtney Magierski, MS, RDN |
Orlando, FL |
|
Jason Matice, MS, RN, CMSRN, CHES |
Gouverneur, NY |
|
Lindsey McClafferty, RD, LD |
Springfield, MO |
|
Lillian Mees, MSW/LMSW |
Tucson, AZ |
|
Brianne Mettler, BSN, RN |
Omaha, NE |
|
Jennifer Morris, MS, RD, LD, ACE-CPT |
Ogden, KS |
|
Cortney Mospan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP |
Charlotte, NC |
|
Shoua Moua, BSN, RN |
Beaumont, CA |
|
Lucy Mulert, BSN, RN |
Omaha, NE |
|
Lainee Nickerson, BSN, RN |
Evergreen, CO |
|
Andrea Noud, MS, RD |
Kalamazoo, MI |
|
Kaylee O'Hare, MS, RDN, LD |
Siloam Springs, AR |
|
Arvee Ouk, RPH |
Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
|
Anjanpreet Pandher, RD, MPH |
Santa Clara, CA |
|
Madison Pate, LMSW |
Spartanburg, SC |
|
Ronice Porter, RN |
Florissant, MO |
|
RoCheryl Pratt, MSN, RN |
Charlotte, NC |
|
Lisa Ramirez, MPH, RDN, LD |
Clever, MO |
|
Laurielee Richmond, RN |
Manistique, MI |
|
Amanda Schuessler, RDN, LDN |
Algonquin, IL |
|
Laura Shores, MS, RDN, LD |
Poplar Grove, AR |
|
Reid Sindelar, PharmD |
Brownsville, VT |
|
Virginia Smith, BSN, RN |
Richmond, VA |
|
Caitlin Smithburg, BSN, RN, SCRN |
Chattanooga, TN |
|
Gabriela Solan, OD |
Beaverton, OR |
|
Andrea Sutek, MSN, RN |
Dennison, OH |
|
Samuel Tambeaux, RDN, LDN |
Mount Prospect, IL |
|
Monica Tejeda, RDN, CDN |
Deer Park, NY |
|
Sylvia Walsh, PharmD |
Albany, OR |
|
Judy Walthaw, RDN, LD |
Fairfield, AL |
|
Baleana Watts-McGilberry, BS, RDN, LDN |
Semmes, AL |
|
Leah Webster, RD |
Ithaca, NY |
|
Sheri Wilson, MSN, GERO-BC, PMGT-BC, MED-SURG-BC, CNP |
Shreveport, LA |
|
Hannah Winston, MS, RDN |
Richmond, VA |
|
Juliana Wishnia, MS, RDN, LD |
Charleston, SC |
|
Emma Wojnicki, BSN, RN |
Omaha, NE |
|
Tatiana Zaldua, RD, CD |
Milwaukee, WI |
scholarship testimonials
"Thank you to the CBDCE Board and Awards Committee for being selected as one of the 2021 CDCES Scholarship recipients! I sat for the CDCES exam and passed! Through attaining the CDCES credential, I have been able to expand the depth of my knowledge of diabetes care and education. I am excited to continue to work in the diabetes field and serving the underserved in our community."