Diabetes educator
Postgraduate studies in the field of Diabetes Educator They enable students to acquire up-to-date knowledge about all types of diabetes and related diseases. The goal of the postgraduate program is to provide the information necessary to support patients in their treatment process and maintain their proper psychophysical well-being after diagnosis. Graduates will gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary to educate patients with diabetes and to reinforce and implement proper dietary habits. Lectures will also include practical information on modern diabetes treatment methods. Postgraduate studies will not only deepen your knowledge but also increase your chances of promotion or job change. Only comprehensively qualified specialists who combine the achievements of modern science with practical experience will have a privileged position in the job market.
| STUDY PROGRAM | working hours | |||||
| no. | ITEM | rigor | ECTS | In. | quarter. | together |
| 1. | Metabolic disorders in diabetes |
Z | 2 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2. | Etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of diabetes |
Z | 3 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| 3. | Diabetes and obesity – interdisciplinary care and patient education. Gestational diabetes – diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. | Z | 2 | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| 4. | The history of health education and diabetes education in Poland | Z | 0,5 | 2 | – | 2 |
| 5. | Social and legal aspects of the functioning of patients with diabetes | Z | 0,5 | 4 | – | 4 |
| 6. | Physical activity in type 1 and type 2 diabetes | Z | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 7. | Principles of nutrition in diabetes, including pharmacotherapy | Z | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| 8. | The change process – stages and defense mechanisms – how to understand them and cope with them in everyday life? | Z | 3 | 6 | 14 | 20 |
| 9. | Nutrition education | Z | 3 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
| 10. | Nutrition in diabetes and dietary modifications in patients with comorbidities | Z | 4 | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| 11. | Nutrition of a child with diabetes and his physical development | Z | 2 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| 12. | Acute and chronic complications of diabetes | Z | 4 | 10 | 24 | 34 |
| 13. | Modern technologies in diabetology | Z | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| TOGETHER: | 30 | 92 | 128 | 220 | ||
| online classes (MS Teams application) | |
| full-time classes (at the University or at the place indicated in the class schedule) |
Z – pass with grade/final test
If you are interested in our postgraduate education offer, please contact the Promotion and Recruitment Office:
- e-mail: rekrutacja@gam.edu.pl
- tel.: 58 769 08 00, 58 769 08 02, 58 769 08 03, 58 769 08 04, 58 769 08 05
- personally during opening hours – p. 101 and p. 102 (level 0), Campus A.
DIABETES EDUCATOR
Postgraduate studies
DURATION
1 year (2 semesters)
FORM OF STUDY
- part-time (hybrid)
- number of hours: 220
– including: 210 hours online
6 hours of stationary
- number of hours: 220
TUITION
-
+ PLN 250 entry fee
-
1,750 PLN/2 installments
-
700 PLN/5 installments
-
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The aim of the studies is to prepare diabetes educators who will be able to competently:
- demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of diabetology,
- plan and implement professional diabetes education, including supporting people with diabetes and their families in developing the competencies necessary for effective self-management of the disease,
- holistic care for patients of all ages.
GRADUATE PROFILE
Graduate of studies Diabetes educator Maybe:
- take up professional work in health institutions, non-governmental organizations, companies,
- independently implement their own educational and preventive initiatives in schools, kindergartens, workplaces and for the use of public health units.
THE ORIGINATOR OF THE COURSE
TEACHING CLASS LEADER
EWA DYGASZEWICZ, M.A.
Clinical dietitian, psychodietitian with specialization in internal and metabolic diseases obtained at the Medical University of Warsaw and a certified diabetes educator cooperating with the Diabetes Federation.
For many years, he has been conducting lectures and training for patients with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, pedagogical councils, seniors, people with disabilities and participants of activation projects.
She is currently a lecturer at the Gdańsk Medical Academy of Applied Sciences, where she initiated the postgraduate program "Diabetes Educator." She also works as a dietitian at the Pomeranian Rheumatology Center in Sopot.
Dietetics is not just Ewa's job, but also her passion. She is the author of four books with recipes for diet dishes: "Gutujemy," "Kierunek zdrowie," "Potrawy we zdrowie" (Vegetarian Dishes for Diabetics), and "Poradnik dla ludzi z diabetyki" (A Guide for People with Diabetes).
As president of the Gdańsk Regional Branch of the Polish Diabetes Association, in 2020 she developed and implemented the international KiDS program for children with diabetes in the Pomeranian region. This program was developed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the International Society for Child and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) to support school-age children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in managing their disease, combating discrimination in the school environment, and building awareness of healthy lifestyles. 104 schools across Poland, 650 teachers, and nearly 40,000 children participated in the project, and over 2,000 people participated in the online training. As part of the program, she developed a video for children that simply and engagingly explains the functioning of a healthy pancreas, while also demonstrating the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes when insulin is lacking or does not function properly. It was published on the Integrated Educational Platform of the Ministry of National Education. https://zpe.gov.pl/a/projekt-kids-dzieci-i-cukrzyca-w-szkolach/D6E23LOFV
PATRONAGES
Polish Diabetes Association The Association was founded in 1981 at the initiative of people with diabetes. It currently has approximately 330 branches and circles across the country, representing a total of nearly 55,000 patients. The Association works directly with diabetics and their families to provide comprehensive support (primarily diabetes education, but also integration and group support), as well as promoting diabetes awareness and prevention in society, representing diabetics before the authorities, and advocating for the best possible conditions and access to treatment.
Diabetes Federation (The National Federation of Organizations for the Support of Children and Youth with Diabetes) has been supporting children, adolescents, and adults with diabetes since 2010. The Federation's main activities focus on educating patients, their families, and their surroundings, integrating the community, advocating for diabetes issues, and improving their health and social situation. The Federation also conducts training for teachers of children with diabetes and promotes institutions that provide effective care for students with diabetes. Prevention of type 2 diabetes, overweight, and obesity, as well as promoting diabetes awareness in society, are also important aspects of the Federation's activities.
In 2016, the Federation received the main award named after St. Camillus, patron saint of the sick and healthcare workers, from the Institute of Patient Rights and Health Education, in the category of "Patient associations and organizations that serve as role models for care for patients and their families." The Federation's president, Dr. Monika Zamarlik, is a recipient of the PRALINKA award from the Diabeciaki Foundation for her work on behalf of children and young people with diabetes.
SCHOLARSHIP
THE DIABETES FEDERATION HAS FOUNDED A SCHOLARSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF
PLN 2,000 FOR THE BEST GRADUATE OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026.
REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS
CLASS LEADER INCLUDES, AMONG OTHERS:
Prof. Dr. hab. Monika Sakowicz-Burkiewicz
A biology graduate (specializing in molecular biology) from the Faculty of Biology, Geography, and Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, she is a laboratory diagnostician specializing in medical laboratory diagnostics, head of the Department of Molecular Medicine at the Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), and a long-time lecturer at the Gdańsk Medical Academy of Applied Sciences (formerly the University of Health in Gdańsk). She earned her PhD in medical sciences in 2001, her habilitation in medical sciences in 2014 from MUG, and the title of professor of medical and health sciences in the discipline of medical sciences in 2022.
The Professor completed a two-year post-doc research internship at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg (Germany), where she studied the specific immune response in listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. in vitro i in vivo. Before her habilitation, the Professor's research interests focused on the metabolism and action of adenosine and ATP in cells and tissues during diabetes. Her current research activity is focused on studying the molecular basis (particularly gene expression profiles and their polymorphisms) of various diseases (cancer, dermatology, laryngology, and neurodegenerative). Her extensive scientific achievements include authorship and co-authorship of over 70 full-text scientific publications with an impact factor of 204, a MEiN of 2983, and an H index of 20 (as of May 5, 2025).
Monika Zamarlik, M.D. and Ph.D
A doctor of medicine and health sciences, she graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Jagiellonian University, the Jagiellonian University Medical College, and completed an MBA. She is the President of the Diabetes Federation. An expert and manager with extensive experience in organization and comprehensive project management. She is the author of projects supporting patients with diabetes, including a nationwide program for teachers. www.przyjediabetykom.pl
For over fourteen years, she has been integrating organizations working for patients with diabetes as the president of the Diabetes Federation www.federacjadiabetykow.pl, helping children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
She is also involved in popularizing knowledge about clinical trials as the leader of the Active in Clinical Trials Group operating at the Medical Research Agency.
Member of the Patient Organization Council at the Patient Rights Ombudsman, the PATIENTS-PRO Program Council, and the Cities for Better Health Program Council.
He is also a member of the Polish Diabetes Association and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD).
Author of numerous scientific publications and reports on the social aspects of diabetes, speaker at national and international conferences, and academic lecturer.
Edyta Wojtczak, M.A.
She holds a Master's degree in Health Education and Health Promotion, a nursing graduate, and completed postgraduate studies in Professional Coaching at Kozminski University, Marketing Management, and is a certified business trainer. She is a certified consultant with the International Institute of Systemic Psychosomatic Therapy Recall Healing® / Total Biology®. She is a certified Positive Psychology trainer in psychosocial skills training/workshops at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw.
A specialist in health promotion and prevention, health coaching methods, and support for treatment, education, and self-care in diabetes. She is a Project Manager and long-time content supervisor of the Diabetes Education School for nurses and midwives. She is a health education expert at Abbott. She has over 20 years of experience in health marketing at leading pharmaceutical companies: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Polpharma Biologics, Aptissen, and Abbott Polska.
Since 2022, he has been running the educational project Academy of Improvement in Diabetology (Home – Academy of Diabetology Excellence). He specializes in diabetes prevention and the care of patients diagnosed with glucose malabsorption, insulin resistance, and diabetes. He conducts health coaching workshops for individuals with diabetes and parents of children with diabetes.
She developed the "Pyramid of Living in Harmony with Diabetes"©, which helps understand the stages of achieving the primary goal of diabetes care – health and living in harmony with oneself without experiencing its late complications. She is the author of a series of articles published in DIABETYK magazine entitled "Pyramid of Living in Harmony with Diabetes," promoting the use of positive psychology knowledge for daily motivation towards health.
She prepared an educational matrix explaining the path of a person with diabetes through the process of change leading to taking responsibility for the treatment process and a 3-element triangle for SELF-CARE in diabetes.
Since 2025, he has been running the Positive Psychology Mentoring and Health Coaching office.
Privately, a person with type 1 diabetes, honored in 2025 with a silver medal for VICTORY OVER DIABETES awarded by the Polish Diabetes Association, Main Board and the Polish Diabetes Association.
He is passionate about coaching in the areas of health and healthy lifestyle, personal/lifestyle coaching, skills coaching, relationship coaching, and business/career coaching. He implements proprietary personal development programs using professional coaching methods for individuals, groups, and teams.
He conducts training in the field of coaching activities, such as WIN-WIN negotiations, conflict management, personal and professional burnout, and sales process management from marketing planning to purchasing.
Her interests include pharmaceutical marketing, KAIZEN philosophy, IKIGAI, positive psychology and personal development, aromatherapy, dancing, running, strength training and yoga.
Joanna Budna, M.A.
Dietitian, psychodietitian, nutritional educator, entrepreneur, and former opera singer. Graduate of the Conservatorium Maastricht in the Netherlands (BA in solo singing 2010, MA in solo singing with opera specialization 2012, studies in English), the University of Management/University of Health in Gdańsk (Dietetics – postgraduate, BA and MA studies – MA 2022), and SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Sopot (postgraduate studies in psychodietetics – 2019).
As part of her professional development, she completed a Solution-Focused Therapy course in 2019 and a one-year Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Study (2023 - Lower Silesian Psychotherapy Center). She has spoken at three conferences: the XXIV Pacific Voice Conference in Lublin (2016), the IV International Mix Singing Scientific Seminars in Gliwice (2017), and "World Voice Day" at the Medical University of Warsaw (2019). From 2016-2021 she worked as a nutrition educator at the Tri-City Food Bank. Since 2019, she has been working with the Center for Social Integration in Gdańsk, conducting dietary workshops for people at risk of social exclusion, and from 2019-2023 she conducted dietary workshops as part of cooperation with the Przymorze Wielkie and Oliwa District Councils. Over the past seven years, she has led over 250 workshops. Since September 2021, she has been listed as a specialist by the Insulin Resistance Foundation.
Since 2018, she has been running the "Pro-porcje" Dietary Clinic in Gdańsk. In her practice, she focuses on improving patients' relationships with food using psychodietetic tools and changing their eating habits to more favorable ones, as well as working with patients struggling with thyroid disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Aleksandra Moluszys, M.A.
A physiotherapist specializing in working with adults and children, particularly in respiratory diseases and functional disorders. She gained clinical experience working in a hospital, where she developed the practical skills she now teaches students. As coordinator of the Physiotherapy program, she ensures high-quality education and practical preparation for students' careers.
She is an academic lecturer with many years of experience. She teaches several courses in pulmonology and neurology at the university.
She has participated in numerous training courses in neurology and respiratory therapy in Poland and abroad. She currently creates and conducts her own training courses for both specialists and students. She has also authored scientific articles and regularly expands her knowledge by attending scientific conferences. She also runs her own physiotherapy practice.