ADEA announces 2026 Honorary Life Membership Award recipient
- ADEA
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
ADEA has announced Cheryl Steele as the recipient of the 2026 Honorary Life Membership Award, the association's most prestigious honour.
The award, which is the highest recognition bestowed by the ADEA Board, was presented at the joint IDF-WPR, ADC and Metabolic Diseases 2026 event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 20 August.
Each year, only one Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) is selected for the award in recognition of their significant and outstanding contribution to diabetes education and the CDE profession.
Ms Steele was nominated for her exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution to diabetes care and education, the CDE profession, and diabetes education for health professionals.
Throughout her career, Ms Steele has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing diabetes care, supporting people living with diabetes, and strengthening the diabetes education workforce.
Her contribution has had a lasting impact on the profession and the broader diabetes community.
Accepting the award, Ms Steele said she was deeply honoured by the recognition.
"I get as much out of this job as what I give," she said.
"I love working with people living with diabetes. I love sharing my lived experience, and I love watching baby diabetes educators grow into Credentialled Diabetes Educators."
"Thank you very much, I'm very honoured."
ADEA President Ann Bush congratulated Ms Steele on receiving the association's highest honour.
"Cheryl has made many, many years of contributions not only to ADEA but to the broader diabetes community through both her professional expertise and lived experience," she said.
"She is an incredibly dedicated Credentialled Diabetes Educator and has mentored many, many people over the years."
Ms Bush said Ms Steele's passion for improving outcomes for people living with diabetes had been evident across numerous organisations and initiatives throughout her career.
