Meet Steve Flint | Gwen Scott Grant Success Storyresearch
Accredited practising dietitian Steve Flint has supported people with diabetes to improve their health and wellbeing for many years. With his Gwen Scott grant funding, Steve recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education at Deakin University which helps him broaden his understanding of diabetes, prevention strategies and management approaches – and also got him a new job!
Having increased his scope of practice as a clinician, Steve can now provide comprehensive diabetes self-management education and better support people living with diabetes. “I have recently secured a role as a clinical research co-ordinator and credentialled diabetes educator within the Diabetes Technology Research Group based at St Vincent’s Hospital, which was only possible by having this qualification,” Steve shares.
As a long-time health professional member of Diabetes Victoria, Steve recommends everyone working in diabetes to apply for a Gwen Scott grant. “Regular advancements in the field of diabetes from medications to technology means ongoing education is essential to stay up to date,” Steve says. “People with diabetes look to health professionals for support and it’s our responsibility to provide our clients with best-practice advice.”
“I recommend health professionals apply for the Gwen Scott grant to support their own professional and personal development,” Steve continues. “It will further your learning and help you to better support people with diabetes, which is ultimately why we work in this field!”
The Gwen Scott grant program provides financial grants to health professionals to enable them to undertake professional development activities to increase their diabetes knowledge and/or skills and to address important issues in diabetes care and education within their community.
This annual program is named in honor of Gwen Scott who was Australia’s first nurse employed as a specialist in diabetes education, and the first employee of the Victorian Diabetics Association, known today as Diabetes Victoria. Gwen Scott is best known for her contribution to diabetes education and for establishing the role of diabetes educators in Australia.
