Welcome to Kentucky Association of Diabetes Educators

Name: Wilma Hoskins, RN

Why did you choose the field of diabetes and what keeps you involved? Diabetes is very interesting and complicated as it involves the whole person. It can affect mind, body and spirit--dealing with the complications. Working with diabetes is my passion. I look for interesting and innovative ways to assist diabetes patients to manage their illness and improve their quality of life. I tend to focus a lot on the mental aspect of diabetes complications as individuals with diabetes are high risk for depression. If an individual is depressed, he/she will not be receptive to anything I have to say or to take charge of his/her own health. Therefore, one of the goals when I see an individual with diabetes in my clinic is to empower them to take charge of his/her own health. I stay involved with diabetes because I enjoy helping people with diabetes to learn ways to improve their health and quality of life. 

Are you working on any interesting projects or committees related to diabetes?  I teach free diabetes classes/outreach activities for my community, local health care professionals, diabetics, caregivers and other interested persons. I am a member of Kentucky Association of Diabetes Educators and serve as a Chapter Legislative Coordinator, and a member of Kentucky Diabetes Network and serve on the advocacy workgroup. I also serve with American Association of Diabetes Educators as State Legislative Coordinator.

What do you see as trends in diabetes care or education? I see diabetes education changing as rapidly as health care is changing. I think diabetes education in the near future may focus more on outreach in our communities than in the clinical spectrum. In this way, we will reach a larger number of individuals and perhaps help those with early signs and symptoms of diabetes to get early diagnosis and treatment. I think some other future trends of diabetes care and education will be perhaps placing more accountability on the person with diabetes for their care, and patients seeking more comprehensive diabetes services from their providers. I also see patients urging their providers to be more accountable to them for the services they provide.

What are your future career goals? To increase my knowledge and skills in diabetes care/education. I am currently attending college at night to obtain a higher nursing and administrative degree toward my goal of managing a diabetes center in my local community. My goal is to have a center that will provide more comprehensive diabetes services in one facility. The goal of this center will be to have nurse diabetes educators, dieticians, physicians, pharmacy and social workers, etc. in one facility. As I continue to see an epidemic of diabetes patients, the need is very evident of such a center.

Discuss any personal hobbies or interests? I enjoy readings, comedies, and collecting antiques.