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ADEA is excited to announce the launch of a series of feature articles celebrating the 2024 CDE of the Year award recipients. The winners, who were announced at the Australasian Diabetes Congress in August in Perth, have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving diabetes care in their communities. This initiative aims to showcase their incredible achievements and contributions. Each feature article will be rolled out and added across the coming weeks, highlighting the diverse and innovative approaches each CDE has taken to support people living with diabetes, fostering better health outcomes across Australia.
For more than two decades, Claire Gatto has been a driving force behind improving diabetes care in her regional town, earning her recognition as Victoria’s CDE of the Year.Ms Gatto’s journey began in Switzerland, where she completed her nursing training and gained experience in medical and surgical wards before specialising in haemodialysis and renal nursing.
Her work in both chronic and acute settings deepened her understanding of the importance of prevention in managing chronic kidney disease.
In 2000, she moved to Australia and continued her career in acute care before returning to haemodialysis.
However, she soon realised that preventing kidney disease and improving diabetes care needed to be her priority.
A decisive moment came when she attended a renal nursing conference, where a session run by a CDE left a lasting impression.
‘Her enthusiasm, dedication, and will to share her knowledge won me over,’ Ms Gatto said.
‘Our local CDE, who later became my mentor, was also instrumental in my decision to enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education and then work towards credentialling.’
Having lived and worked in her regional town for 22 years, Ms Gatto understands her community’s unique needs.
Her approach to diabetes care is built on listening, advocacy, and supporting people in managing their condition.
‘My work is about caring for people with diabetes, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and tools they need to manage on a daily basis,’ she said.
‘But before that comes listening—understanding where they come from and where they want to go—as well as advocacy.’
She recognises that more work is needed to improve local access to essential diabetes services and continues to advocate for her community.
Rather than one standout moment, Ms Gatto finds joy in the daily victories of her clients achieving their goals.
‘Another important part is how our team has rebuilt itself after a few years of short staffing, and how each team member brings special skills and qualities,’ she said.
Receiving the Victoria CDE of the Year award came as a surprise for Ms Gatto, who didn’t know she had been nominated.
‘I know there are many CDEs who work with enormous dedication but may not get noticed,’ she said.
‘This award is an immense honour, and I do not take it lightly.’
She acknowledges the support of her family, mentors, and colleagues—who all played a significant role in her journey.
Ms Gatto remains committed to expanding diabetes services locally, aiming to secure a visiting endocrinologist, improve access to diabetes technologies, and enhance continuity of care between inpatient and community settings.
To new health professionals entering diabetes education, Ms Gatto offers this advice: ‘Stay open and learn from others—people with diabetes, DEs, other health professionals.’
‘Invest in continuous education, get to know the community you work in, and most importantly, listen,’ she said.
Her dedication to her community and advocacy for improved local services have made her a leader in diabetes care.
Susan Carbone, one of Queensland’s CDE of the Year, has dedicated her career to reshaping the delivery of diabetes care.
Inspired by her own experience with an autoimmune disorder and her time in intensive care, Ms Carbone brings compassion, innovation, and leadership to her role.
Her journey began at 18 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, an experience that ignited her passion for healthcare.
After becoming a registered nurse, she worked in the Intensive Care Unit, regularly caring for people living with diabetes during episodes of acute diabetes emergencies.
‘This inspired me to become a CDE to help support people living with diabetes in the community,’ Ms Carbone said.
‘I was hoping I could not only help prevent those diabetes-related hospital admissions but also provide support to people trying to navigate the management of a chronic condition.’
Ms Carbone’s commitment to diabetes care has flourished through her leadership role at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH).
Here, she leads a compassionate team of CDEs, focused on delivering innovative diabetes care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Brisbane area.
Her approach is defined by collaboration and innovation.
‘Over the years, I have been fortunate to have worked with very passionate and like-minded health professionals, including at Diabetes NSW and QLD and now the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health,’ Ms Carbone said.
‘My network of colleagues and friends have all been exceptional and supportive role models, which has allowed me to grow and build my confidence as a CDE.’
She has developed successful interdisciplinary diabetes care clinics that provide a more person-centred, strength-based, and holistic approach to care.
One of Ms Carbone’s key achievements has been her contribution to workforce development.
Recognising the shortage of CDEs, particularly in community clinics, she has actively worked to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals becoming CDEs.
Through her work with the University of Technology Sydney, she is helping shape the future of diabetes care.
‘I have joined forces with UTS to contribute to the development of the CDE workforce and regularly mentor diabetes educators working towards their credentialling,’ Ms Carbone said.
Receiving the Queensland CDE of the Year award (one of two for the state) is a proud moment for Ms Carbone, though she remains humble about her achievements.
‘I am very honoured to receive this award for doing something that I enjoy and feel passionate about,’ she said.
‘I acknowledge the wider diabetes workforce and colleagues who have supported and inspired me to grow as a CDE.’
Ms Carbone is committed to continuing her work in workforce development and finding new ways to support people living with diabetes.
‘I believe as CDEs, our role is to walk alongside the person living with diabetes on the journey they are on,’ she said.
‘We need to take a strengths-based approach, removing judgement or efforts to “fix people”.’
‘Though we specialise in diabetes, we are not the experts in how people wish to lead their own lives; we need to learn to let go of control.’
Her passion and dedication will no doubt continue to influence and inspire the future of diabetes care.
Stay tuned as we’ll continue to publish each CDE of the Year Award recipient in the coming weeks!
ADEA is excited to announce the launch of a series of feature articles celebrating the 2024 CDE of the Year award recipients. The winners, who were announced at the Australasian Diabetes Congress in August in Perth, have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving diabetes care in their communities. This initiative aims to showcase their incredible achievements and contributions. Each feature article will be rolled out and added across the coming weeks, highlighting the diverse and innovative approaches each CDE has taken to support people living with diabetes, fostering better health outcomes across Australia.
For more than two decades, Claire Gatto has been a driving force behind improving diabetes care in her regional town, earning her recognition as Victoria’s CDE of the Year.Ms Gatto’s journey began in Switzerland, where she completed her nursing training and gained experience in medical and surgical wards before specialising in haemodialysis and renal nursing.
Her work in both chronic and acute settings deepened her understanding of the importance of prevention in managing chronic kidney disease.
In 2000, she moved to Australia and continued her career in acute care before returning to haemodialysis.
However, she soon realised that preventing kidney disease and improving diabetes care needed to be her priority.
A decisive moment came when she attended a renal nursing conference, where a session run by a CDE left a lasting impression.
‘Her enthusiasm, dedication, and will to share her knowledge won me over,’ Ms Gatto said.
‘Our local CDE, who later became my mentor, was also instrumental in my decision to enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education and then work towards credentialling.’
Having lived and worked in her regional town for 22 years, Ms Gatto understands her community’s unique needs.
Her approach to diabetes care is built on listening, advocacy, and supporting people in managing their condition.
‘My work is about caring for people with diabetes, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and tools they need to manage on a daily basis,’ she said.
‘But before that comes listening—understanding where they come from and where they want to go—as well as advocacy.’
She recognises that more work is needed to improve local access to essential diabetes services and continues to advocate for her community.
Rather than one standout moment, Ms Gatto finds joy in the daily victories of her clients achieving their goals.
‘Another important part is how our team has rebuilt itself after a few years of short staffing, and how each team member brings special skills and qualities,’ she said.
Receiving the Victoria CDE of the Year award came as a surprise for Ms Gatto, who didn’t know she had been nominated.
‘I know there are many CDEs who work with enormous dedication but may not get noticed,’ she said.
‘This award is an immense honour, and I do not take it lightly.’
She acknowledges the support of her family, mentors, and colleagues—who all played a significant role in her journey.
Ms Gatto remains committed to expanding diabetes services locally, aiming to secure a visiting endocrinologist, improve access to diabetes technologies, and enhance continuity of care between inpatient and community settings.
To new health professionals entering diabetes education, Ms Gatto offers this advice: ‘Stay open and learn from others—people with diabetes, DEs, other health professionals.’
‘Invest in continuous education, get to know the community you work in, and most importantly, listen,’ she said.
Her dedication to her community and advocacy for improved local services have made her a leader in diabetes care.
Susan Carbone, one of Queensland’s CDE of the Year, has dedicated her career to reshaping the delivery of diabetes care.
Inspired by her own experience with an autoimmune disorder and her time in intensive care, Ms Carbone brings compassion, innovation, and leadership to her role.
Her journey began at 18 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, an experience that ignited her passion for healthcare.
After becoming a registered nurse, she worked in the Intensive Care Unit, regularly caring for people living with diabetes during episodes of acute diabetes emergencies.
‘This inspired me to become a CDE to help support people living with diabetes in the community,’ Ms Carbone said.
‘I was hoping I could not only help prevent those diabetes-related hospital admissions but also provide support to people trying to navigate the management of a chronic condition.’
Ms Carbone’s commitment to diabetes care has flourished through her leadership role at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH).
Here, she leads a compassionate team of CDEs, focused on delivering innovative diabetes care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Brisbane area.
Her approach is defined by collaboration and innovation.
‘Over the years, I have been fortunate to have worked with very passionate and like-minded health professionals, including at Diabetes NSW and QLD and now the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health,’ Ms Carbone said.
‘My network of colleagues and friends have all been exceptional and supportive role models, which has allowed me to grow and build my confidence as a CDE.’
She has developed successful interdisciplinary diabetes care clinics that provide a more person-centred, strength-based, and holistic approach to care.
One of Ms Carbone’s key achievements has been her contribution to workforce development.
Recognising the shortage of CDEs, particularly in community clinics, she has actively worked to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals becoming CDEs.
Through her work with the University of Technology Sydney, she is helping shape the future of diabetes care.
‘I have joined forces with UTS to contribute to the development of the CDE workforce and regularly mentor diabetes educators working towards their credentialling,’ Ms Carbone said.
Receiving the Queensland CDE of the Year award (one of two for the state) is a proud moment for Ms Carbone, though she remains humble about her achievements.
‘I am very honoured to receive this award for doing something that I enjoy and feel passionate about,’ she said.
‘I acknowledge the wider diabetes workforce and colleagues who have supported and inspired me to grow as a CDE.’
Ms Carbone is committed to continuing her work in workforce development and finding new ways to support people living with diabetes.
‘I believe as CDEs, our role is to walk alongside the person living with diabetes on the journey they are on,’ she said.
‘We need to take a strengths-based approach, removing judgement or efforts to “fix people”.’
‘Though we specialise in diabetes, we are not the experts in how people wish to lead their own lives; we need to learn to let go of control.’
Her passion and dedication will no doubt continue to influence and inspire the future of diabetes care.
Stay tuned as we’ll continue to publish each CDE of the Year Award recipient in the coming weeks!
