When Lore became interested in Diabetes Education twelve years ago, she volunteered on her own time through the St. Louis Diabetes Coalition to obtain the required 1000 hours of patient education needed in order to obtain her Diabetes Educator Certification. She regularly attends ADCES (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists) annual conferences to ensure that she is providing the most up-to-date information and education tools to her patients.

Lore is an invaluable member of the Diabetes Education team.  She was and continues to be a mentor and source of knowledge and support to me and all department members.  She was a preceptor to me when I came to this department.  She took me under her wing and shared her knowledge.  She continues to be a resource that department members turn to regularly.

Lore is a cherished resource and advocate for her patients.  She has several patients to whom she provides support on an ongoing basis.  Patients often call her with questions, and concerns, to report new lab results for assistance if they are still struggling or to cheer with her when they have found success.  She is in frequent communication with providers to offer support and guidance in medical management or to advocate for her patient's needs.

Lore shows accountability through her constant drive to learn and do better for her patients.  She monitors patients' blood sugars throughout the series of classes to ensure that they are trending to normal levels, or reaches out to providers to take action.  She shows accountability by acting promptly to care for her patients for improved outcomes, taking responsibility for her actions, and holding others accountable for their actions, she is honest with herself and others, and she always strives to do the right thing.

Lore implements our Mission every day in her life.  Not only as a nurse but in her constant desire to serve, protest, educate, and advocate for others.  She loves and cares for each patient she crosses paths with.  In the past, she worked with an underserved population as a nurse in the Internal Medicine Clinic.  She volunteered her time and resources on a two-week medical mission trip to Honduras.  She also regularly volunteers in her community.  She has done volunteer work in the court system, with women's shelters.  She regularly joins community marches to fight for what she believes in. She recently spent time volunteering at a community program.  She volunteered her time to educate the community members on protecting children from gun violence.

She is on several committees with her church.  On very cold winter days, she helps her church by opening its doors to the homeless.  Lore cooks meals and brings their clothes home to wash in her own washing machine.  

Lore has worked hard to establish a relationship between St. Mary's and St. Louis Food Outreach to provide nutritious meals to patients who have diabetes and identify food insecurity.  This has been a wonderful resource for many patients!

Lore has also advocates to develop a Diabetes Prevention Program at St. Mary's.  She has met with multiple members of the Mo Department of Health and the YMCA to gather information on how to develop the program.  She has also recently signed up to be a participant in the program to gain an understanding from the participant's perspective.

Lore has worked her entire 37 year nursing career at St. Mary's.  She began her journey as a new grad working night shift in the ICU.  She has also worked in Labor and Delivery, the Emergency Department, and the Internal Medicine Clinic before spending the last 12 years in Diabetes Education.  She has earned the love and respect of many colleagues along the way.  She has undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of many patients-from saving lives in ICU to bringing new life into the world in L&D.  From supporting and caring for the underserved population in the internal medicine clinic to educating and celebrating progress with our patients in Diabetes Education.  St. Mary's has been truly blessed to have her.