MOBEC Leader Earns Statewide Recognition
2024 California Impact on Diabetes Award for Commitment to Prevention and Education Goes to Program Manager
At the 2024 Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists California Coordinating Body Conference, Touro University California (TUC) Program Manager Anne Lee, won the Impact on Diabetes Award for her outstanding work with the community.
“Anne’s leadership in the Mobile Diabetes Education Center (MOBEC) has been instrumental in extending diabetes screening and education into the community, particularly to underserved populations,” says Dr. Clipper Young, Associate Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine and member of the Diabetes Research Education and Management (DREAM) Team at TUC. “Her lectures and workshops, delivered to both health care professionals and community members, highlight her ability to translate complex diabetes care concepts into practical, actionable advice.”
Prior to joining the DREAM Team at TUC, Lee worked for Solano County as a Public Health Nutritionist. There she worked with Solano County community organizations and individuals, presenting the importance of healthy food choices in an accessible way. Healthy eating is a critical lifestyle intervention for people with chronic diseases, including diabetes.
Working as a diabetes educator in the county clinic, Lee developed a deep knowledge of diabetes interventions and management. When the opportunity to join MOBEC came along, it made sense for Lee to join the DREAM team.
“Instead of being in the clinic and seeing people at a fixed location, I actually go see them where they are,” says Lee of MOBEC’s frequent trips out into the community. “That makes the experience much more rewarding.”
As a Master Trainer for the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training Program, Lee enjoys working with students, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. Through the program, Lee works to prepare community members with diabetes prevention and management skills. Lee especially enjoys working with TUC student volunteers at MOBEC who often come with no clinical experience. Watching them grow into great educators and compassionate healthcare providers fills her with a sense of pride and delight.
Lee says that when she started in 2017, MOBEC was an empty trailer, but with hard work alongside Deanna Dickey, the Operations Manager & Event Coordinator, the duo developed the program to include community glucose and blood pressure screenings, training for students and professionals, and much more. Despite all the accomplishments, Lee insists that she didn’t do it alone.
“The 2024 Impact on Diabetes Award is a great honor,” says Lee. “The award is not just for me, it's for the whole DREAM team. We have all worked together to improve MOBEC, a little bit at a time.”