Martha M. Funnell, MS, RN, CDE

The Rachmiel Levine Medal for Service is awarded to the president, health care & education, of the American Diabetes Association upon leaving office. Named for Dr. Levine, the diabetes researcher who discovered how insulin works, this award recognizes meritorious service on behalf of the Association and Americans with diabetes. Martha M. Funnell, MS, RN, CDE, has focused her professional career on the development, evaluation and dissemination of educational programs in patient empowerment and collaborative approaches to diabetes care and education. She is a clinical nurse specialist, diabetes educator, adjunct lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, and Director for Administration at the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC).

Under her leadership, the MDRTC has developed and disseminated a highly effective instructional approach to diabetes education. She has led the development and revisions of the MDRTC “Life with Diabetes” print and audiovisual materials, including curricula for health professionals and patients. Her work includes participation in the development of the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Standards for Diabetes Nursing Practice.

Ms. Funnell has contributed to more than 85 publications, including numerous journal articles, books, book chapters and curricula published by the American Diabetes Association. Her awards include the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Distinguished Service Award and the ADA Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award. She has served on the national boards of AADE and ADA and is the current President for Health Care & Education of the ADA.

She lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Ms. Funnell and her late husband James have one son, Adrian.

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that the American Diabetes Association honors Martha M. Funnell, MS, RN, CDE, with the Rachmiel Levine Medal for Service.