HAINES – Kate Fossman, RDN, LD, Registered Dietitian for SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) clinics in Haines, Klukwan, Hoonah, Kake, and Angoon, recently earned her credentials as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).
Kate completed the practice requirement and passed the national credentialing exam in June. She joins fellow SEARHC CDEs Lisa Schwartz, nurse case manager at the Haines Health Center, and Michelle Vaughn, Pharmacist at Ethel Lund Medical Center (ELMC), in offering diabetes counseling and education.
SEARHC is committed to providing the best care possible in the communities we serve. SEARHC offers a full range of health care services for people that have diabetes or those at risk of getting diabetes, including diabetes education, care, and prevention services, nutrition education and visiting medical specialists. In some locations, multi-session classes are available to help people to stay on track with their health goals. This certification allows the program to offers additional support within its well-established diabetes care.
Ms. Fossman looks forward to helping patients achieve their health and diabetes goals and has a personal connection to living with diabetes through her grandfather.
Kate said, “About a year ago, my grandfather passed away after living with diabetes and being on insulin for over 20 years. As I was studying for the exam, I thought back fondly to when he would teach me about diabetes, using himself as an example. He’d show me how he drew up insulin, pinch his “spare tire” around his belly, and where he hid his candy in case of low blood sugar. When insulin pens became available, he got them and showed off how he could inject his insulin through his shirt.” In his memory, she is eager to show people how to manage their diabetes for a long and healthy life.