Lauren is perpetually needed by the many patients referred for her expertise. As part of a team with the provider and dietitian, she educates both newly diagnosed as well as the long-term person with diabetes on lifestyle changes, blood glucose monitoring, acute and chronic complications, exercise, nutrition, stress management and new medications. Lifestyle changes of deeply rooted habits (smoking cessation, initiating exercise, eating habit changes, psychosocial issues around chronic disease management) are huge challenges for patients to conquer. Lauren is able to provide this information in a supportive, educational and motivating manor to both the newly diagnosed person with diabetes as well as the veteran with diabetes. She is able to calm the person who is clearly upset with the new diagnosis, help a person to overcome their fears of injections and through education, motivate those who need to initiate change and open a patient to a whole new outlook on living and dealing with Diabetes from the psycho/social point of view.

She is a strong advocate for patients and goes to battle with insurance companies to assure their coverage is a maximized benefit and that the patient's needs are met. She has even delivered medications to a patient's home that could not find a ride up to our office. Her education style is exceptional. Her patience and teaching skills are always tailored to fit the patients needs. When patients leave the office after talking with Lauren, they seem less nervous, less afraid, and willing to be open minded about what she just taught them. That is no easy task as we all know. Her success rate with these patients is testimony to how well she teaches and cares for these patients.

She recently attained her CDE credentialing, which is a HUGE accomplishment as it is an intense exam which truly assesses knowledge and the application of this knowledge in clinical practice. She has been preparing for this over the past 18 months and successfully passed the exam with flying colors on 11/20/12. She truly loves what she does and it shows in her enthusiasm, passion and her work. I think Lauren definitely deserves the DAISY Award for always going above and beyond her duties to make sure her patients needs are met.