DPP Lifestyle Coach Network Newsletter

July 2026

Newsletter Highlights

NC Updates

NC Diabetes Prevention and Management Pharmacy Collaborative

NC Diabetes Advisory Council Awards and Scholarships

Resources and Opportunities

Specific Resources, Study Opportunities, Save the Dates, and More!

DPP Lifestyle Coach Spotlight

Maria Ploch

MountainWise Partnership

NC Updates

Each year, the North Carolina Diabetes Advisory Council (NC DAC) honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence in diabetes prevention and management across our state.



Nominations for the 2026 DAC Awards and Scholarship are now open.

Key Dates:

• Nominations Open: May 1, 2026
• Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Awards Recognition: October 9, 2026 at the Fall DAC Meeting



Submit Nomination Here! 

Additional details about the awards, scholarship opportunities, and previous recipients can be found in the attached document. This document is also available on https://www.diabetesnc.com/diabetes-advisory-council/. 

Join us for the Fall DAC Meeting and Awards Ceremony on October 9, 2026, where awardees will be formally recognized. Register Here! 

Resources and Opportunities

For Pharmacies and Healthcare/Systems

CEs available!

For Community Health Workers (CHW) and CHW Partners



• NC Diabetes Prevention and Management Collaborative: August 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Register Here!
• Pathways to Sustainability: Small and Mighty Pharmacies: July 29, 2026 from 2:00-3:30 PM: Register Here!
• Pathways to Sustainability: How I Learn to Stop Worrying and Become a Prevention Powerhouse: July 30, 2026 from 2:00-3:30 PM: Register Here!

• CDC Program Champion Strategy and Promotional Materials
• ADA: Diabetes Prevention Alliance Community Health Workers
• NACDD: CBO Partnership with CHWs

General Resources and Opportunities

• 4th of July Social Media Image: (customizable-English) (Spanish)
• 4th of July Social Media image: (English) (Spanish)
• July Fear of Finding Out: Promotional Materials
• July African American Family Reunions: Promotional Materials
• Healthy Summer: Promotional Materials
• Summer Challenge Diabetes Prevention Series: Promotional Materials
• Study Participation Opportunity - Improve Lifestyle Change Recruitment Messaging in Rural Communities:

Researchers at the University of Utah are partnering with the CDC's Lifestyle Change Intervention Research Network (LCIRN) on a study to learn from individuals who deliver the lifestyle change program in rural communities, as well as men who live in rural communities.

• Eligible Participants:
• Program implementers who deliver the lifestyle change program in rural areas.
• Men who live in rural communities.

Participants will take part in small virtual group discussions about their perspectives on programs that support healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, and other lifestyle changes. The goal is to better understand what makes these programs feasible, motivating, and relevant for men living in rural communities.

Participation includes:

Up to two, 2-hour virtual group meetings between June and July.

Informal, facilitated discussions about experiences, challenges, and supports for success in rural communities.

Participants will receive $75 per meeting.

If you're interested in learning more or would like to participate, please contact Alejandra Huerta for additional details.

CDC DPRP Office Hours

July 21, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM: Join Here!

Topic: Ask a Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Medicare DPP Pledge

 Calling all MDPP Suppliers: Important and Time Sensitive

As part of CMS's ongoing efforts to expand access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), CMS is inviting all active MDPP suppliers to complete the 2026 MDPP Supplier Pledge — a voluntary, non-binding planning tool to help MDPP supplier organizations set goals for 2026. CMS will not use pledge commitments for compliance, audit, or enforcement purposes.

The pledge is quick and easy to complete and includes just two sections:

1. Anticipated Beneficiary Enrollment for 2026 — Your estimated number of beneficiaries, broken down by Original Medicare (FFS) and Medicare Advantage. CMS would like to know what your potential maximum capacity is for enrollment if you were to get a sudden influx of eligible beneficiaries based on their planned 2026 MDPP marketing initiatives. 
2. Supplier Finder Tool Contact Information — Please provide your program’s best phone number, enrollment address, and program URL that CMS can add to Medicare.gov for Medicare beneficiaries/ potential MDPP participants and health care providers searching for your organization.

It is highly recommend that you fill this out as soon as possible. Note that MDPP Suppliers that do not complete their pledge with updated contact information, may not be included on CMS’s web update. Therefore when CMS’s marketing communications are released, beneficiaries and health care providers will not have access to your program’s information.

Complete the 2026 MDPP Supplier Pledge Here

Questions? Contact us at MDPP@cms.hhs.gov

DPP Lifestyle Coach Spotlight

Maria Ploch

MountainWise Partnership

Maria is a passionate advocate for diabetes prevention and a dedicated leader for her Spanish-speaking Diabetes Prevention Program cohorts. She is committed to creating welcoming, supportive environments where participants feel empowered to learn, connect, and take meaningful steps toward reducing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

When her DPP was without a coordinator to help launch new cohorts, Maria didn't let the momentum stop. She took the initiative to promote the program within her own community and successfully established a new cohort through her church. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving others continue to expand access to diabetes prevention and inspire healthier communities.

You can nominate a DPP lifestyle coach in your organization who is doing great work!

Nominations will be featured in future editions of the DiabetesFreeNC DPP Lifestyle Coach Network Newsletter.