Two staff members certified as Diabetes Educators 
A second staff member at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese has achieved Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status.
According to the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), Connie Gebke and Barb Voss have successfully completed their exams with Voss earning and Gebke renewing her CDE credentials.
Obtaining CDE status demonstrates a dedication to the specialty and an accomplishment of achieving a level of contemporary knowledge in diabetes self-management education, said Karen M. Bolderman, NCBDE representative. Board certification demonstrates that the health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge which promotes quality of care for people with diabetes.
Gebke received an associate's degree in nursing from Kaskaskia College and a bachelor's degree in the same field from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She joined the St. Joseph-Breese staff in 1980.
Voss graduated from Belleville Area College-now Southwestern Illinois College-School of Nursing and first worked at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. She joined the St. Joseph-Breese staff in 1971.
Gebke, now supervisor of Outpatient Surgery and Treatments, was named diabetes education program coordinator and started the hospital diabetes group in 1983. She achieved CDE designation in 1998 and been recertified every five years.
Voss first worked as a staff nurse, then transferred to the Specialty Clinics before joining Gebke in the hospital's diabetes education program in December, 2000.
Both women are also certified to teach Tai Chi for Diabetes, a class that was offered earlier this year at the hospital HealthPlex.
In addition, the program earned the American Diabetes Education Recognition Certificate ensuring that the program meets national standards. Among the program's offerings are the support group, KEYs-4-Life Diabetes education and exercise program at the HealthPlex and individual counseling.
For more information, contact Voss at 526-5743 or email Barb Voss.
