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Editor’s note: This article is adapted
from the address of the American
Diabetes Association President,
Health Care & Education, given in
June 2004 at the Association’s 64th
Annual Meeting and Scientific
Sessions in Orlando, Fla.

I would like to share the wisdoms,
passions, and lessons I have learned
from the educators and other volun-
teers I have met during my term as the
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
President, Health Care & Education
this past year. My message has three
focus areas:
1.  The joy of the journey—the places

we, the ADA, have been,
2.  The people I have met and with

whom I have shared information
and diabetes education opportuni-
ties, and

3.  The wisdoms I have come to live
by through this experience.

The Places We Have Been 
Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known
as Dr. Seuss,  has been a constant
source of inspiration for me. His
themes (Goodness triumphs. Bad is
put down. People are good. The
world can be improved.) have been
my guide. In March 2004, we com-
memorated his 100th birthday. A
theme park was created in his honor
in his hometown of Springfield,
Mass., near my own home and work.
The park featured one of his famous
children’s books, “Oh the Places You
Will Go,” from which I will draw the
closing words for this article.

My journey as an ADA officer was
driven by my passion to make a dif-
ference. This passion was well-
matched when I first became involved
with the ADA and joined volunteers
on their own journey to making an

everyday difference in the lives of
those affected by diabetes. This shared
mission has had a strong influence on
the person I am today.

Former U.S. President Ronald
Reagan once said, “Life begins when
you begin to serve.” With this as my
inspiration, my volunteer life in the
ADA began. I have had the opportu-
nity to serve as an ADA leader in two
states, Minnesota and Connecticut, as
well as at the national level. Through
these experiences, I have seen first-
hand the growth and, yes, some strug-
gles, within our organization. I served
as President of the Minnesota
Affiliate, one of the first nurses to
serve in this capacity. In Connecticut,
I was the first President, Health Care
& Education of the Eastern Region
(now known as the Northeast
Region). Each role involved charting
new courses for diabetes health pro-
fessionals, new avenues from the orig-
inal ADA organizational structure,
and new opportunities far from the
traditional roles of nurses and other
health professionals.

This was a time of great growth,
organizational change, and transition,
which led us to our current communi-
ty leadership councils. As Dr. Seuss
would have said, “Oh, the places we
have been!”

I have seen the role of health edu-
cators expand and gain recognition
within the larger diabetes and health
care community. ADA is the only vol-
untary health organization to publicly
recognize its health professional edu-
cators by creating a position like
President, Health Care & Education.
Never in my early career would I have
guessed that I would come to serve as
one of the officers of the ADA and to
be honored with the title “Madame
President.”

The People I Have Met
I am often asked about my travels
during this year. How many miles? To
which cities, states, countries have I
traveled? When I reflect on this, my
thoughts aren’t about the places I
have gone. Rather, I think of the peo-
ple I have met, the commitment I have
witnessed, the heartfelt stories I have
heard, the issues and opportunities for
education we have discussed together,
and my hopes that I have helped to
make a difference.

My heart guided me to the mission
of the ADA, that is, to make a differ-
ence and instill pride in the work and
achievements of the organization. One
of my goals has been to make a differ-
ence in every community across the
country by meeting and supporting
our leadership councils at every
opportunity.

Another focus has been to increase
opportunities for primary care
providers to add to their knowledge
base about diabetes, to enhance their
own education and the clinical care and
education they provide their patients,
while increasing their awareness of the
services ADA offers to them.

In addition, I have tried to explain
to colleagues and provide myself as a
model to illustrate how our associa-
tion has broadened its audience and
continues to reach out to more part-
ners in the United States and abroad
to bring its message to all health pro-
fessionals and to those affected by dia-
betes. The ADA has expanded its
focus to address prevention issues,
particularly with regard to prediabetes
and the increase in type 2 diabetes
among our nation’s youth. Our advo-
cacy efforts continue to be instrumen-
tal in helping improve health care,
fight discrimination, and increase the
federal government’s commitment to

Special Report

Diabetes Spectrum    Volume 17, Number 4, 2004

An ADA Educational Journey: The Places We Have Been,
Oh, the Places We Will Go!

Carolé R. Mensing, RN, MA, CDE



256

diabetes research. We’ve stepped up
outreach activities at the community
level to reach people with diabetes,
their family members and friends, and
their health care providers with vital
information to improve care. We have
continued to form partnerships with
other agencies to help our communi-
ties prevent disease and achieve
healthier lifestyles. Knowledge is
indeed power.

One of my overriding communica-
tions objectives was to mention my
passion and focus on education in
every interview and at every presenta-
tion. I observed other educators carry-
ing out this objective, as well. It is the
educational product or offering that
provides the foundation for successful
outcomes, and our patients’ health is
our most desired outcome. 

In addition to my efforts to enhance
the association’s visibility, I made it a
priority to work collaboratively and
seamlessly with my colleagues and
principal officers, James A. Horbowicz
and Dr. Eugene J. Barrett, and with
our executive committee. We
embarked on this journey together, as
a team. Independently, we have pur-
sued our own paths, but always
toward a common purpose: furthering
the work and mission of the ADA.

Those who know me best know
that I try always to have fun, to take
comfort in my music, to enjoy the
magic of each moment, to continu-
ously improve, and most importantly,
to do good (or, in other words, to do
no harm). I try to live by the words of
one of my mentors and esteemed col-
leagues, Marion Franz, who has been
known to say, “Attend to your pas-
sion with good humor, and add fun.
Then remember to do the work, but
cheerfully.” To each of you, I offer
similar advice: Stay the course, yet
have fun in all aspects of your life.

The people I have met include all
of you—the health care professionals
who celebrate our common passion
every day. We revel in the glory of our
professions and share in the joy of
honoring our colleagues who have
participated in leadership for the
organization and served as role mod-
els for other educators. How can any-
one fully acknowledge all of the won-
derful people who willingly serve the
ADA? Our shared mission is not
about any of us individually, but

rather it is about the people in all of
the communities that have been
touched by the many faces of the
ADA as a whole.

I continue to be truly humbled by
my experiences within the association.
In my weaker moments, I wonder if I
can meet all of the challenges and fear
that I may one day be revealed as an
imposter masquerading as a knowl-
edgeable diabetes educator. But then I
realize that it’s not about me; it’s
about our shared passion, energy, and
focus on our collective work to serve
and to educate. This shared passion
drives our success and deeply affects
our lives. And, it provides the energy,
the synergy, we can draw upon to
achieve our mission.

I hope that my journey this year
has helped pave the way for the future
of the ADA and the places it has yet
to go to achieve its mission. A friend
of mine once offered me advice she
had read that, as we travel through
life, we should not seek to arrive at
our grave in a pretty and well-pre-
served body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally
worn out, carrying a favorite food
and beverage, and loudly proclaiming,
“Wow, what a ride!” If the rest of my
years are as exciting for me as the past
one has been, I will indeed achieve
that goal. 

The Things I Have Learned

Life is not about milestones. It’s
about moments.

—Rose Kennedy

This is one of my favorite bits of
inspiration. And for the remainder of
this article, I would like to share addi-
tional words of wisdom that I have
found helpful on my journey.

Do not go where a path might lead
you; go instead where there is no
path, and leave a trail.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am an optimist. It does not seem too
much use to be anything else.”

—Sir Winton Churchill

It occurred to me a few years ago that
when I am comfortably and quietly
going about my business as usual, per-
haps I may need to review my path,

re-energize my thoughts and actions,
check to see if I am missing anything.
It is in such moments that I remember
these wisdoms, and renew my efforts.

When you see a void, jump in.
—Marion Franz

Take the time and energy to do the
less comfortable approach. The
rewards outweigh the process. The
important thing in life is not the tri-
umph, but the struggle!

—Pierre de Coubertia 

If you find a fork in the road, take it.
—Yogi Berra

Heeding the advice in the three quotes
above has afforded me many opportu-
nities that I may not otherwise have
had. The most important fork in my
road? My service within the ADA, of
course!

Where do we go from here?
—Alice, in “Alice in

Wonderland”
Depends on where you want to get to.

—The Cheshire Cat, in
“Alice in Wonderland”

As an ADA volunteer and leader, I
advise you all to go forward with pur-
pose and look for the voids. Focus on
education, advocacy, and research
efforts throughout our nation and in
your practice. Give your energy and
time to prevention, empowerment,
cure, care, and commitment. Take the
leap. Take the high road. Extend
yourself to embrace the needs of your
communities and your patients and
your own passions. And focus your
efforts by volunteering with the ADA.
I assure you, the rewards and benefits
are many.

You’re off to great places! Today is
your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So . . . get on your way!

—Dr. Seuss

Carolé R. Mensing, RN, MA, CDE, is
a diabetes clinical nurse specialist and
coordinator of the Diabetes Self-
Management Education Program at
the University of Connecticut,
Farmington  Campus. She was ADA
President, Health Care & Education
for 2003–2004.

Diabetes Spectrum    Volume 17, Number 4, 2004

Special Report