Media Releases - 10 July 2022

Diabetes Victoria invests in ongoing learning for diabetes health professionals

During National Diabetes Week 2022, Diabetes Victoria is pleased to congratulate eight successful recipients of funding support under the 2022 Gwen Scott grant program.

Health professional members of Diabetes Victoria were encouraged to apply for these grants and, this year, Diabetes Victoria has awarded financial grants to support training and professional development in diabetes.

“The Gwen Scott grants make a real difference,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.

“Diabetes is a complex and serious condition to manage. As information about diabetes changes quickly due to research findings and advances in technology, continuous learning is essential.

“Health professionals need to update their knowledge and reflect on their practice to constantly improve the education and care they provide, he said.”

Diabetes Victoria established the Gwen Scott grant program in 2006, as part of a commitment to health professionals who support those affected by, or at risk of, diabetes.

“More than 370,000 Victorians are known to be living with diabetes and there is an increasing need to provide health professionals with opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of diabetes, including up-to-date management options and general health promotion strategies,” Mr Noonan adds.

“Diabetes increases a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision and loss of a limb; so, the more we can encourage health professionals to further their learning in the field of diabetes, the better for all Victorians.”

Gwen Scott was Australia’s first nurse employed as a specialist in diabetes education and the first employee of the Diabetic Association of Victoria, which is Diabetes Victoria today. Ms Scott was influential in establishing the role of diabetes educators, both in Victoria and nationally.

2022 Gwen Scott grant program recipients:

Mrs Cara Jamieson: to undertake a Master of Nursing Practice (H771) degree at Latrobe University
Mrs Fran Brown: to attend the Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) Conference 2023 in Germany
Mrs Donna Whittle: to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Health Care Course at Mayfield Education
Mrs Sarah Shipp: to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Health Care Course at Mayfield Education
Mrs Anita Cherian: to undertake a Master of Science - Diabetes Education at the University of Warwick (UK)
Mr Steve Flint: to undertake a Graduate Certificate Diabetes Education at Deakin University
Ms Pauline Evers: to attend the Australasian Diabetes Congress 2022 (ADS/ADEA Annual Scientific Meeting) in Brisbane
Miss Asher Joseph: to undertake a Graduate Certificate Diabetes Education at Deakin University