Pershing Health System Welcomes In-House Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist
Brookfield, MO — Pershing Health System (PHS) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of a Comprehensive Diabetes Education Program, led by Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) Brenda Haley, RN. This new service will provide patients with personalized diabetes education and support close to home — offering guidance, tools, and confidence for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, as well as individuals who have been managing the condition for years.
Pending each participant’s insurance requirements, education will be offered in either a one-on-one or group setting, designed to help patients understand their diagnosis, build effective self-management skills, and make lifestyle changes that support long-term health. “The program teaches those with diabetes to understand their diagnosis, develop self-management skills, and make lifestyle changes to optimize health outcomes,” Brenda shared. The service will help patients learn to manage diabetes in a way that fits their daily life, supports prevention of complications, and improves quality of life.
In addition to offering diabetes education, Brenda will also assist the endocrinologist and specialty clinic once that service is established at PHS, further expanding access to advanced diabetes care for the community.
With more than 30 years of nursing experience, Brenda brings extensive knowledge and passion to her role. A familiar face in the community, she began her nursing career at PHS in 1995, where she worked for six years before joining Hedrick Medical Center for 21 years. Most recently, she worked with Hometown Pharmacy in Chillicothe. Over the course of her career, she has served in a variety of nursing settings, including Med-Surg, ICU, Surgery, and Specialty Clinics. For the last 23 years, her focus and calling have been diabetes education. Brenda has been teaching diabetes education since 2002 and earned her Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) credential in 2022. She has also worked closely with an endocrinologist in a clinic setting for many years.
Brenda and her husband, Steve, recently returned to the Brookfield area. They have been married for 34 years and have three daughters and one son-in-law. “We are grateful to be back in the community, and I’m honored to serve patients here at home,” she shared.
This new service aligns with PHS’s mission to bring accessible, compassionate, and high-quality care to Linn County and surrounding areas. By offering diabetes education locally, PHS aims to remove the burden of travel, expand access to preventative care, and support patients in living healthier lives.
While the Comprehensive Diabetes Education Program is currently in the process of obtaining accreditation from the American Diabetes Association, PHS looks forward to officially opening the program to patients once approval is complete. In the meantime, those interested in learning more about the upcoming program are encouraged to contact Brenda Haley, RN, CDCES, at 660-258-1216 for additional information.
