On November 5th,2014 the Canadian Diabetes Association will recognize this date as the first annual Diabetes Educator Day.
A Certified Diabetes Educator is a health professional committed to excellence in diabetes education who has expertise knowledge in providing guidance and assistance for day to day management for people living with diabetes. A Diabetes Educator has a sound knowledge base in diabetes care/management and education processes, as well as good communication skills and who has passed the Canadian Diabetes Educator's Certification Board (CDECB) exam.
Many health care professionals take on the role of being a
CDE including pharmacists, dietitians and nurses making them an essential part
of the health care team.
Whether they are working directly with patients or advising health-care
providers, diabetes educators play an integral role in the education, care and
support of those with diabetes. Their specialized training makes them an
invaluable resource.
The SMILE Healthcare Team at the Leduc Beaumont Devon
Primary Care Network (LBD PCN) is proud to have three Certified Diabetes Educators on staff:
Nandini Desai, Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator, has worked at the
LBD PCN for nearly 6 years. Her specialties include diabetes management
including insulin start, optimizing insulin management and smoking cessation.
She attends the Canadian Diabetes Association annual conference on a regular
basis as well as takes part in many learning opportunities with diabetes
specialists.
Andrea Shackel is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with
the LBD PCN. She has been working in the field of
Chronic Disease Management with the SMILE team at the PCN for 6 years.
Andrea received her Bachelor of Sciences in Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba. Her specialties of interest are obesity, diabetes and heart disease and emotional eating. Andrea is dedicated to educating patients about the health benefits of proper nutrition as well as identifying the many reasons “why” we eat which will help people become more mindful eaters. She helps patients implement evidence-based nutrition recommendations to help manage their blood sugars, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight.
Andrea received her Bachelor of Sciences in Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba. Her specialties of interest are obesity, diabetes and heart disease and emotional eating. Andrea is dedicated to educating patients about the health benefits of proper nutrition as well as identifying the many reasons “why” we eat which will help people become more mindful eaters. She helps patients implement evidence-based nutrition recommendations to help manage their blood sugars, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight.
Sally Ho is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with the
LBD PCN. She joined our S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare
Program (Self Manage to Improve Life Everyday) team last year, coming to us from
the South Calgary Primary Care Network, where she worked in a similar setting.
Sally also works with our PCN patients in the Leduc Cardiac Rehabilitation
Program, providing nutrition support to patients
managing chronic disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity
and nutrition concerns. She facilitates several education classes at the PCN,
including the Weight Wise workshops Craving Changes workshops, and the Cardiac
Rehabilitation’s nutrition classes.
If you are newly diagnosed, have had diabetes for a long
time or having any difficulties with your diabetes management, please ask your LBD PCN family physician for a referral to the SMILE team.
