Hardt Eye head nurse certified as a diabetes educator

 With diabetes continuing to ravage CNMI residents, there is a need for more health care professionals whose efforts are focused toward managing the condition of patients afflicted with this disease. Hardt Eye Clinic takes pride in having its head nurse as a vital addition to this pool of diabetes educators.

Helen He is now a Certified Diabetes Educator after passing on her first take the examination of the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators in June.

Certified Diabetes Educators or CDEs are highly educated health professionals-most commonly registered nurses, physicians, pharmacists or dietitians-with special training and experience in diabetes.

Once they meet qualifications, these health professionals are allowed to take the examination to become certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

He, who graduated with a nursing degree from the Northern Marianas College in 2007 and was the school’s valedictorian, believes that prevention is “always” better than treatment.

“We’ve seen so many patients suffer from vision loss and other complications even with the best treatment available,” said He. “The right changes from early stages can prevent the need for surgery or laser treatment, as well as other problems like heart and kidney disease.”

He joins Hardt Eye Clinic’s Dr. Don Hardt as the CNMI’s only CDEs, enhancing the private clinic’s ongoing efforts to “get out in front” of diabetes.

Hardt, who passed the CDE exam in December 2010, said that He spent a lot of her time concentrating on diabetes education in the last few years.

“We are so proud of Helen for this major accomplishment, but we are even more proud of the help she has been providing to our diabetic patients,” said Hardt. “We have seen many patients turn their lives around after working with Helen.”

Hardt recounted how he used to send his patients to the Commonwealth Health Center for diabetes education.

When the dietitian left and diabetes education was no longer available, Hardt decided to launch their own program for diabetes patients, many of whom suffer from complications such as blindness, foot amputations, heart disease, strokes, and kidney failure-all of which can be avoided.

“With the combination of good medication and better lifestyle choices, most people with diabetes can live a long, healthy life without major complications. We work together with the primary care doctor to enhance the overall care,” said Hardt.

According to He, a common misconception about diabetes education is that it’s similar to listening to a lecture.

But diabetes education, He said, is “based on the need and interests of each patient” to enable them to find their “normal routine” with diabetes management.

“At Hardt Eye Clinic we follow the standards set forth by the American Diabetes Association. We want to help the patient and support them in making better lifestyle choices. We want to help solve problems and communicate with their entire healthcare team so that everyone is on board with the patient’s road to success,” said He.

Hardt Eye Clinic also provides free transportation for patients who want to know more about diabetes education, which is open to anyone even if they receive eye care elsewhere.

For more information about the program, call 235-2030.