MedWest Wellness Coordinator and Diabetes Educator Melanie Batchelor achieves Certified Diabetes Educator status
11/9/2012
MedWest Wellness Coordinator and Diabetes Educator Melanie Batchelor achieves Certified Diabetes Educator status
Sylva and Bryson City, N.C. – Melanie Batchelor, Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist, recently achieved certification as a Diabetes Educator through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). Batchelor has served as MedWest’s Wellness Coordinator and Diabetes Educator since April.
Batchelor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western Carolina University, where she is currently pursuing a Master of Health Science degree. As Diabetes Educator at MedWest, physicians refer patients seeking medical nutrition therapy to Batchelor, and she works with the Employee Diabetes Health Management Program. She also conducts monthly outpatient diabetes classes at MedWest-Harris and MedWest-Swain, which teach diabetics how to self-manage their disease.
To achieve Certified Diabetes Educator status, candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements and pass an examination. Achieving certification status demonstrates to people with diabetes that the health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes.
“This program has helped me to be the best educator I can and to truly be a great role model for my clients,” Batchelor said.
The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators was established in 1986 to develop and administer a certification program for health care professionals who teach individuals with diabetes how to manage their disease. Through the development, maintenance, and protection of the certification process and the CDE credential, NCBDE recognizes and advances the specialty practice of diabetes education. NCBDE supports the concept of voluntary, periodic certification for all diabetes educators who meet credential and experience eligibility requirements. For more information, visit the web site at www.ncbde.org.