Are you ready to change lives through diabetes education? The number of individuals affected with prediabetes and diabetes in the United States is staggering, and continues to grow. Our certificate program in Diabetes Essentials is an excellent opportunity to educate yourself, develop practical skills, and empower our community with knowledge of the debilitating effects of the condition. The program offers critical information such as: the causes of diabetes, lifestyle changes that can prevent or minimize the disease, as well as resources for those living with diabetes.

 

Designed with You in Mind

The program is online, asynchronous, and self-paced. To earn a certificate, students must complete 100 hours within a year of enrollment. That is all 5 clinicians courses or all 3 non-clinician courses. Students may take individual courses or combine them to earn the Diabetes Essentials certificate.

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Advance your career in diabetes education and care

Educate and care for your community with the Diabetes Essential Certificate programs. Benerd College offers two pathways: Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians, and Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians. Both paths offer excellent courses and can help to advance your career and skills in providing diabetes education and care to those you serve. Instructors are local, national and international experts in the field.

Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians

Students will learn current and comprehensive practice applications of diabetes care and education for people with type 1 and 2 (both in children and adults). They will also be educated on prediabetes, and gestational diabetes from renowned experts and thought leaders. Students in the program will start with an illustrated review of pathophysiology and landmark studies in order to understand the evidence-based treatment modalities. 

 

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Diabetes Essentials Cerificate
Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians
Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians

The certificate in Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians is designed to give students a foundational understanding of diabetes. Through the study of the American Diabetes Association guidelines, the Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians Certificate will help students address barriers to diabetes management in various settings: primary care clinic, workplace, school and home.

The certificate can be obtained by completing all three classes in order over six weeks. It is a fully online program. Upon completion of all three courses, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from University of the Pacific.

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Abbott Fund Scholars Opportunity

If you are currently employed or seeking employment in health care, a community-based organization, education, or an organization that is providing services to Stockton or San Joaquin County residents living with diabetes, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship. Applicants whose organizations provide services to priority neighborhoods in Stockton or San Joaquin County are highly encouraged to apply. The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition for the student's certificate or individual courses.

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Abbot Scholars Opportunity

Hear what our alumni have to say.

Lisa, FNP-BC

Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians

"Nutrition lectures were helpful too because they gave me better ways to communicate with patients. In my practice, I have tried to stay away from calling people “diabetic” as there are some who find the term offensive and have yelled at my staff that they do not like labels. The lectures made me even more mindful of how to talk to patients in a less biased way, and to not focus so much on weight loss and to consider the other factors affecting and causing diabetes. I have adjusted my teachings to not focus too much on weight loss and more on overall lifestyle changes and interventions."

Shanice, Administration Clerk

Diabetes Essentials for Non-Clinicians

"I loved the course! The no pressure of deadlines and going at your own pace was wonderful for this single working mother of four. The videos/materials were easy to comprehend. I really enjoying learning the basics of diabetes such as the causes, diet, management, and the everyday struggles of dealing with the disease. My favorite was learning about the different cultures and becoming more understanding, compassionate, and empathetic towards people trying to manage diabetes."

Lawrence Chang
Assistant Professor of Practice for Diabetes Essentials Certificates
Larry Chang, PharmD, BCACP, APh

Dr. Larry Chang graduated from the University of the Pacific with his PharmD in 2016 and completed his post-graduate pharmacy residency program at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in 2017 in San Jose, CA. He then started a new clinical pharmacist role at the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program (VHHP), which is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves as Santa Clara County's safety net clinic for patients experiencing homelessness. He obtained board certification in ambulatory care and is recognized as an Advanced Practice Pharmacist by the California Board of Pharmacy.

Dr. Chang currently works as a clinical pharmacist at VHHP where he specializes in chronic disease state management, managing a variety of co-morbidities including diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis C, opioid use disorder, congestive heart failure, and more. As a member of the Diabetes Learning Collaborative for the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, Dr. Chang co-authored their adapted clinical guidelines on diabetes care in patients experiencing homelessness and has spoken at multiple pharmacy/homeless healthcare conferences and clinics across the nation, educating providers locally and nationally on treating diabetes more effectively. 

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Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDCES and Lawrence (Larry) Chang, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, have stated they have no relationships to disclose.

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Theresa Garnero
Former Program Director: Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDCES