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For the first time, an has qualified as a (CDE).

Louise Gilbey, who lives and works in Mount Isa, has become the first to qualify using her profession as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner to undertake the CDE credentialling program.

Louise鈥檚 achievement was made possible by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association鈥檚 (ADEA鈥檚) scholarship program which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners to undertake post graduate studies in diabetes education and care and ADEA鈥檚 rigorous credentialling program.

Louise is a proud Alwayarre woman who has worked as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner for more than 20 years. She travels throughout Queensland鈥檚 Far West, providing expert diabetes advice and treatment in some of Australia鈥檚 most remote communities.

鈥淏ecoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator has always been my dream, and with the assistance of a scholarship, and support from family, friends and colleagues, this dream is now a reality,鈥� Louise said.

黑料网鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain congratulated Louise on her achievement and on completing the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management.

鈥淎boriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more than three times as likely to live with diabetes and nearly five times more likely to be hospitalised with diabetes-related complications,鈥� Ms Cain said.

鈥淟ouise鈥檚 qualification is an important step towards increasing the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island CDEs to meet the need for expert local diabetes services.

鈥淩esearch has shown repeatedly that relevant and culturally appropriate diabetes care is most effective when delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

鈥淟ouise鈥檚 credentialling is an important milestone in the fight to improve services for people living with diabetes, especially in remote locations, where the need is most urgent,鈥� she said.   

Australian Diabetes Educators Association CEO Susan Davidson said the 1,000 hours Louise had completed to achieve accreditation reflected the high level of commitment and practical experience needed to become a CDE.

鈥淲e are so proud to welcome Louise as a CDE,鈥� Susan said.

鈥淐DEs are recognised internationally as highly qualified diabetes professionals. ADEA鈥檚 scholarship program, which started in 2020, recognises the important role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners in reducing the burden of diabetes in First Nations communities.  

鈥淓very day, CDEs around Australia provide the expert help people need to live long and healthy lives with diabetes. Louise will continue that practice for the people of Mount Isa and beyond.鈥�