(Schaumburg, IL – January 2024) – The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) announces that Melanie Batchelor, MHS, RD, LDN, CDCES®, Clinical Territory Manager at Medtronic, will serve as the 2024 Chair of CBDCE Board of Directors.
Melanie is a master's trained dietitian who has dedicated her career to diabetes care and education. She has extensive, diverse healthcare experience, including public health, acute care, outpatient, higher education, management, and intensive insulin management with medical devices. She earned her Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist® (CDCES) credential in 2012 and has been a strong advocate for the certification ever since.
“CBDCE as an organization has always been blessed to have individuals serve on the Board and in other volunteer capacities who are passionate and committed to diabetes care and education, as well as having Board members and officers with leadership skills to support the organization. Melanie, moving into the role of Chair in 2024, continues that excellent track record. Her expertise and experience in the specialty, as well as her commitment and passion for supporting CDCESs and those who use their services, will serve her well as she leads the CBDCE Board of Directors in 2024 to assess and explore opportunities for the future. The CBDCE team is excited to work with Melanie and the Board this year.” said CBDCE’s Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Traficano, MBA, CAE.
Involvement in the diabetes community is important to Melanie as she is a long-time volunteer in several organizations, including the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists and The Diabetes Link. Melanie has served in many volunteer positions, including local, state, and national leadership, favorably reviewed committee member, national practice analysis member, annual meeting committee member, and social media workgroup, to name a few.
She has received several awards throughout her career, including the Local Networking Group Diabetes Educator of the Year, the Bertlyn Bosley Award for Health & Wellness, the Bernstein Fellowship Award, the Mercy Award, and the Children with Diabetes Fellowship Award.
Melanie’s passion for diabetes care and education is evident in all she interacts with. “As a diabetes care and education specialist, I am committing to providing the best care possible to people living with diabetes because they deserve nothing less. Research has found that people with type 1 diabetes make an extra 180 health-related decisions a day than someone without diabetes. That's an extraordinary number of extra decisions to be made. If I can decrease that burden in some small way through education, support, and being a cheerleader, that’s what I strive for each day!”
“As chairperson, I’d like to encourage healthcare providers, payors, policymakers, and the public to understand the value and importance of the CDCES credential. CDCESs are vital to providing inclusive, diverse, equitable care to people with or at risk for diabetes in a manner that ensures consistency, quality, and commitment. It is my great pleasure to lead the CBDCE Board of Directors in 2024 as we continue to support and expand the work of those in the diabetes profession.” said Melanie Batchelor.