Doreen Fitzpatrick Achieves Certification as Diabetes Educator

COURT HOUSE – Doreen Fitzpatrick, DNP, APN, BC, CDE has achieved certification as a Diabetes Nurse Educator (CDE).
Dr. Fitzpatrick joined Cape Regional Physicians Associates in September, 2011 and works with Dr. Christopher Zitnay, Board-Certified Endocrinologist, in the specialty of Endocrinology and Diabetes Care.
Dr. Fitzpatrick has been in the nursing profession for over 30 years. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and a Doctorate of Nursing from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition to her certification as a Diabetes Nurse Educator, Dr. Fitzpatrick is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Adult Health as a Nurse Practitioner. She also serves as clinical adjunct professor at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey where she instructs nurse practitioner students.
“Working with The Diabetes Center at Cape Regional Medical Center is a real honor,” stated Dr. Fitzpatrick. “The commitment of the entire team to exceptional diabetes care is evident in their day-to-day operations but also in their Joint Commission Certification and American Diabetes Association Recognition. Six members of the team now hold certification as Certified Diabetes Educators. Hands down, there is no better care available in the region.”
“We greatly appreciate Dr. Fitzpatrick’s dedication to all the patients in the Diabetes Center,” stated Cindy Kraemer, RN, BSN, CDE, PRNC, Program Manager of The Diabetes Center at Cape Regional Medical Center. “We congratulate Doreen on this wonderful accomplishment.”
Candidates for Diabetes Educator certification must meet rigorous eligibility requirements to be able to take the examination. Achieving certification status demonstrates to patients with diabetes and employers that the healthcare professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes. The Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators is designed and intended solely for healthcare professionals who have job responsibilities that include the direct provision of diabetes self-management education (DSME), a minimum of 1,000 hours of DSME experience, and a minimum of two years of professional practice experience in the discipline.
The Diabetes Center is Joint-Commission certified for its Inpatient Diabetes Program, as well as being certified by the American Diabetes Association. The Center is staffed by Board-Certified Diabetes Educators and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals which includes physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians. The Center conducts ADA Diabetes Self-Management Classes at various times during the day and evening throughout each month; the cost of this program is covered by most insurances. The monthly Diabetes Support Group is also held at various times to accommodate patients’ schedules. For additional information on diabetes care and The Diabetes Center, please call 609-463-2017.