MPCA News

Congratulations to Helen Amundson, RN, CDE, President Elect of MAADE!

The Cooperative Health Center in Helena highly values Helen Amundson, an experienced RN and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), who has been on staff for the past year. In July, the Montana Chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (MAADE) recognized the leadership qualities Amundson demonstrates every day by nominating and electing her as President Elect of MAADE.

Helen Amundson, RN, CDE

The American Association of Diabetes Educators is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to the practice of diabetes self-management training and lifestyle management for the prevention of diabetes. The Montana chapter, MAADE, is one of 100 local chapters nationwide.

Amundson's diverse background will serve her well in the MAADE leadership position. An RN for 30 years, Amundson has been a CDE since 1988. She has worked as the primary educator in a nephrology practice in Helena, providing diabetes and dialysis education and specialized insulin pump training. She has also served as a case manager for a large managed care organization as coordinator of the diabetes disease management program where she "loved working with clients and doing diabetes education." Her background in education goes beyond diabetes; while at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, she was Supervisor of Education, coordinating ongoing education for physicians and nurses, in addition to providing diabetes education.

At the Cooperative Health Center since December, 2002, Amundson coordinates the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)-sponsored Diabetes Collaborative project, focusing on organizational commitment to improving health outcomes for diabetes patients. Providing diabetes care at a Community Health Center can be challenging, since many patients are uninsured and of limited income. But Amundson comments that "this is a wonderful place to practice. I love working with our patients and the management staff is really supportive."

Kate Wilson, Director of Cooperative, says "Helen has made an incredible difference here in the past year. Patients love her, and the diabetes outcomes for all of our providers have improved dramatically. The health outcomes have become so impressive since Helen arrived that the Texas Association of Community Health Centers invited her to speak at its regional conference earlier this month."

MAADE's selection of Amundson as President Elect is more than just an honor, and represents a 6-year commitment to leadership in the 85-member chapter. Amundson will go on to serve as MAADE President from 2005-2007, and then as Past President until 2009, providing support and recruiting future leadership.

Montana Primary Care Association 1805 Euclid Avenue Helena, MT 59601 Phone: (406) 442-2750 Fax: (406) 449-2460