The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) has named Joy Cornthwaite, RD, as the 2019 Texas Diabetes Educator of the Year. Cornthwaite, a registered dietitian at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a certified diabetes educator at UT Physicians Women’s Centers, received the award Friday, Aug. 9, at the 2019 AADE Conference in Houston.
“I am humbled that my own team and now my AADE network have chosen to remember the things I have done well these years,” Cornthwaite said. “I see how completely the individuals on my teams have committed themselves to providing care that will positively impact the lives of others – including me. I am honored to lend my hand, as they do theirs, to achieve more together as we strive to change lives for the millions of people affected by diabetes.”
Cornthwaite has worked to promote and develop programs to support positive outcomes for patients with acute and chronic diseases. Her work includes the development and presentation of programs in adult obesity, childhood obesity, and diabetes self-management.
She was a core member of the inaugural group of Canyon Ranch Institute’s Life Enhancement Program, an integrative wellness program focusing on empowering participants to embrace healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes through health education and knowledge.
“This award does not celebrate the success of one person alone – it never could,” Cornthwaite said. “It is an acknowledgement of positive efforts and a call to do more together. Without one another, the success would not be possible. The work I do is more effective with, and because of, my teams at UTHealth and UT Physicians, Cities Changing Diabetes, and the AADE. My friends and, most importantly, my family support me personally so that I can prosper professionally.”
The AADE is a network and organizational home for more than 14,000 professional members who work together across disciplines toward the innovative development of education, management, support, and resources to optimize caring for any person living with, affected by, or at risk for diabetes.
