Creve Coeur Dietitian Named Diabetes Educator of the Year

Nancy Bradley, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at was recently named the 2010 Diabetes Educator of the Year by the St. Louis Association of Diabetes Educators (SLADE). Bradley has more than 30 years of experience in nutrition management and became program coordinator for diabetes education at Barnes Jewish in 2007.

As a diabetes educator, Bradley’s key role is to advise patients diagnosed with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease about ways to care for themselves and manage their symptoms. She teaches self-care behaviors like setting goals for diet changes, increasing activity, and using medications properly. Bradley had to sit for an exam and log a certain number of hours of experience before receiving her certification as a diabetes educator.

Bradley also stressed the importance of offering friendly, non-threatening advice. “They’ll tell you a lot more than they tell their doctors,” she said of her patients. She uses this special rapport to encourage patients to make what can be major lifestyle changes.

One of those she advises, Grace Katzenberger, says she has benefited greatly from Bradley’s help. Katzenberger began consulting with Bradley in October after her blood A1C levels were on the borderline of becoming diabetic. “She told me what to look for, what to eat, how to read labels,” she said. In the past months, Katzenberger has lost 40 pounds and her blood sugar is under control. “Without her consultation, I’m not sure, I could have been on diabetes medication by now,” she said. Katzenberger is so appreciative that she now volunteers at Bradley’s clinic. 

Bradley said that in recent years more people are seeking her help sooner rather than later, if they see any indication of pre-diabetes. She hopes that more people will be made aware that diabetes educators are available and will understand the services they offer.

The clinic where Bradley, who also advises patients with other dietary concerns besides diabetes, and her colleagues work is certified by the American Diabetes Association. “We’re proud of that,” she said. She can also be proud of a book she helped author for her BJC clinic population in 2004, entitled “Diabetes and Pregnancy.” The book was translated into Spanish and Bosnian to meet the needs of a wider audience.

SLADE honored Bradley for her commitment to patients and her engagement in the field of diabetes education. Bradley, who served as SLADE president in 2009, was “stunned and speechless” when her name was called at a recent awards dinner. The newest Educator of the Year said, “It means a tremendous amount to be honored by your peers and those in your community.”