Catherine J. Tibbetts, RN, MPH, CDE of Arlington, VA Elected President, Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association

ALEXANDRIA, VA (July 6, 2004) – The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation’s largest and leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, has announced that Catherine J. Tibbetts, RN, MPH, CDE of Arlington, VA, was elected President, Health Care and Education, of its Executive Committee at the organization’s 64th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, held recently in Orlando, Florida.

Ms. Tibbetts is a Diabetes Nurse Educator and Center Manager at the INOVA Diabetes Center of Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, where she provides both basic and advanced diabetes self-management training and support. Her practice includes children as well as adult patients with diabetes. 

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s School of Nursing, Ms. Tibbetts earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, majoring in public health nursing and chronic disease epidemiology.

Throughout her career, Ms. Tibbetts has focused on efforts to ensure patients’ access to quality healthcare.  She has worked with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a member of its Disease Management Advisory Council.  In 2001 she participated in the establishment of the NCQA national program for accrediting Disease Management Organizations.  Currently she serves on the American Association of Health Plan’s national “Taking on Diabetes” Advisory Board.  Ms. Tibbetts serves on the editorial board for Clinical Diabetes, a journal of the American Diabetes Association, which focuses on diabetes management in the primary care setting.

As ADA’s President, Health Care and Education, Ms. Tibbetts will work to ensure those who educate and inform the diabetes community have a voice.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy.  An estimated 18.2 million Americans have diabetes.  It is the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. and it has no cure.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.  Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities.  The Association’s commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications.  For more information, please call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).