Pam Hartzell honored for 20 years of diabetes education

Hartzell’s work in diabetes education helps patients learn ways to manage their health and medications.

Pam Hartzell has been a registered nurse for 26 years and certified diabetes educator for 20 years. In the past two years, she has received certification as a Medtronic Minimed insulin pump trainer.

She began diabetes education in 1981 as an RN in an internal medicine physician's office.

Later, in 1986, while working in Dr. Edward McKenney's family practice office, she was encouraged to take a rigorous certification examination for diabetes educators. Recertification is required every five years. She has passed the certification and recertification examinations every five years since 1986.

The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators upholds standards for competent practice in diabetes self-management training. The certified diabetes educator (CDE) credential demonstrates that the certified health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality care for persons with diabetes.

Hartzell is the program coordinator and certified diabetes educator of Memorial Hospital's Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) program. In August of 2004, the education program was awarded the American Diabetes Association, certificate of recognition as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education.

The diabetes self-management education program that Hartzell oversees is AMA recognized and certified with Medicare.

“It is very rare to have a resource like this available in a small rural community. We are very fortunate to be able to provide this great service to our diabetic patients,” said Florine Dixon, vice president of clinical services at Memorial Hospital.

People with diabetes may be self-referred by calling Hartzell at 217/357-6840. She begins with a private appointment for assessment and skills training at her office at Midwest Family Medical Care, 630 Locust Street in Carthage. Group training classes are held in the lower level of Memorial Hospital.

“People who have participated in the diabetes self-management education program under the direction of Pam Hartzell are better prepared for daily diabetes decision making. This training impacts their health by teaching them to manage diabetes effectively. Pam is a great asset to our health care team, and I congratulate her on 20 years service in diabetic teaching, “ said Ada Bair, CEO of Memorial Hosiptal.