CDE History

Larry Distiller, internationally renowned Endocrinologist and healthcare visionary founded the CDE (Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology) in 1994. He yearned to bring quality care to all South African’s (and African’s) living with diabetes mellitus.

To do this, he created a holistic and comprehensive treatment and management programme, which promoted the implementation of evidence-based and person-centred diabetes care principles.

Thus, in 1995, the CDE ‘Diabetes Management Programme’ was born, and over succeeding decades it developed and expanded across CDE-affiliated private medical practices nationwide. This was ground-breaking stuff – at that time, the concept of managed healthcare was foreign in South Africa, and the idea of ring-fencing, capitating and managing a condition like diabetes was revolutionary.

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Larry also advocated a ‘multidisciplinary team approach’ to facilitate the care of people with diabetes. This ensured that people with diabetes utilising the Programme had support from a variety of health practitioners (e.g., specialist physicians, nurse educators, dietitians, podiatrists biokineticists and ophthalmologists), according to their clinical needs.

Tafelberg Medical Aid Scheme was the first medical funder to participate in the Programme with a grand total of 13 members under CDE management. Over the years, many more medical funders, healthcare practitioners and health consumers have benefitted from the sound principles created by Larry Distiller and the extensive national network of CDE-trained and -accredited healthcare practitioners – from funding to treatment to education and world-class clinical outcomes.

Sadly, Larry Distiller, passed away suddenly in December 2021 leaving behind an unsurpassable legacy. He enriched the lives of many – his colleagues and friends, but most importantly the countless people to whom Larry brought life and health.

Today the CDE is a vibrant organisation driven by our desire to put people with chronic health needs first. Our national team of dedicated practitioners continue to strive to realise Larry’s amazing vision for all. We are committed to implementing the principles of care he developed and achieving the healthy outcomes that follow.

cde history

Our People

The CDE Healthcare Group offers you access to a group of passionate, innovative and caring individuals whose prime objective is to provide the health consumer with the best possible care and management programmes that are currently available.

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Our team consists of experts in the field of diabetes and other chronic conditions, ie: consultants, allied healthcare professionals, education specialists and administration staff who are unique in their approach to caring/educating colleagues and health consumers in their journey with the CDE.

Together, the CDE create an inclusive workplace where we live by the following values:

Respect for each other and our diversity
Honesty and integrity in everything we do
Exceeding expectations of our clients, and
Striving for excellence

We understand and appreciate that we have the potential to make a huge difference to people's lives, and we strive to do just that.

The CDE Community

Diabetes is a condition that happens in the community, and as such, the "community" is an important part of diabetes and it's effective management. Times have changed, and our perceptions of community are changing at a fast pace. Online, virtual communities are now just as important as real life communities, and they play an important role in all of our lives.

The CDE Healthcare Group is passionate about adding value, where it is needed most, ie: in the community. Millions of people worldwide face the challenge of diabetes and its comorbidities and playing a role that leads to effective outcomes is a vital component of the care offered by the CDE.

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Youth With Diabetes (YWD) is a non-profit organisation which was founded in 2005 by Sister Hester Davel and Prof David Segal in Johannesburg. Today, it is an integral part of the CDE Healthcare Group and their social responsibility programme.

YWD has empowered thousands of children living with diabetes in South Africa and other African countries to live healthy, informed lives and successfully manage their diabetes. This organisation offers peer-to-peer education, youth leader training as well as training of teachers to support children with diabetes in schools. Additionally, they also host various awareness campaigns and projects in support of youth throughout the country.

Their lollipop logo embodies our enthusiastic and positive attitude towards this condition and dispels misconceptions about diabetes and supports their slogan:

“Life can be sweet”

Find out more at www.youthwithdiabetes.com

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The CDE Healthcare Group remains committed to making a difference in diabetes care through the use of various social media platforms. Our mission is to add value to people with diabetes, healthcare providers and funders of healthcare through education and engagement.

Join our e-community via various social media platforms here:

Facebook: @CDE Healthcare
LinkedIn: @CDE Healthcare
Instagram: @cdehealthcare

+ - CDE Community Projects and Activities: Click to collapse

The CDE Healthcare Group engages in various diabetes related projects and activities, within the community.

In 2021, CDE Healthcare Group hosted its first ever Virtual Community Outreach Day (free of charge) for members of the public who have diabetes, or for those who support people with diabetes as family members, friends, teachers, and caregivers in commemoration of World Diabetes Day.

The Outreach Day provided participants with an opportunity to interact with passionate and knowledgeable healthcare professionals via various themed sessions. Furthermore, in giving free access to everyone nationally, they commemorated World Diabetes Day and followed the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) theme, “Access to Diabetes Care “.