Sarah BondCharles Macfarlane, FACHE, CAE, announced he will retire as chief executive officer of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) after eight years in which he oversaw significant strategic initiatives and expansion in the role of diabetes care and education specialists. ADCES will conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO.
During Macfarlane’s eight-year tenure, the organization created a vision for the specialty to adapt to changes in health care and technology, rebranded with a new name more reflective of the service provided by diabetes care and education specialists and launched Danatech, a catalog of diabetes devices and a platform for technology learning and information.
“Health care is always a challenging environment, and the initiatives ADCES is undertaking are helping diabetes care and education specialists take on a more central role with the care team. With these initiatives moving forward and solid implementation of the first two years of our five-year strategic plan underway, the organization is in strong position, and I feel good about handing over the reins,” said Macfarlane. “I’ve dedicated my life to health care and feel the time is right for me to step into retirement – something that we all work hard for – and I’m looking forward to being able to do some things I haven’t had time to do.”
He notes that the rebranding and retitling – from the American Association of Diabetes Educators to ADCES – more accurately signifies the range of expertise diabetes care and education specialists provide to people with diabetes, prediabetes and cardiometabolic conditions, the health care system, payers and providers. The rebranding took place simultaneously with the change of the credential to Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). Danatech positions diabetes care and education specialists to fully step into the role of driving technology integration into diabetes practices. And the organization has worked collaboratively with other diabetes organizations to advance access to care, including through diabetes prevention.
“We are so grateful to Chuck for his years of service and steady leadership, which helped ensure our strength programmatically and financially to successfully maneuver through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kellie Antinori-Lent, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, FAADE, 2020 president of ADCES. “ADCES is well positioned to continue the profession’s growth trajectory and advance our work in ensuring access to the vital care we provide.”
Prior to leading ADCES, Macfarlane was the executive director for the Academy of General Dentistry, and before that served in various roles with Joint Commission Resources and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He received both Master of Hospital and Health Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio and a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration at Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York.
The search for a new CEO is expected to take six to eight months and Macfarlane will remain at the helm until then to ensure a smooth transition.
For more information on ADCES, visit DiabetesEducator.org/ADCES.
About the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists:
ADCES is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving prediabetes, diabetes and cardiometabolic care through innovative education, management and support. With more than 12,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and others, ADCES has a vast network of practitioners working to optimize care and reduce complications. ADCES offers an integrated care model that lowers the cost of care, improves experiences and helps its members lead so better outcomes follow. Learn more at DiabetesEducator.org, or visit us on Facebook (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists), Twitter (@ADCESdiabetes) and Instagram (@ADCESdiabetes).
