The South Carolina Coordinating Body of AADE is excited to have some new faces along with experienced members on the leadership team this year!
Jenelle Martin, SC Coordinating Body Co-Chair
Jenelle Martin obtained her BSN from the University of South Carolina and her MSN from the University of Phoenix. She has also obtained certifications in infection control and diabetes education. Jenelle has been a practicing nurse for over 40 years in various fields, i.e., labor and delivery, ambulatory surgery, and infection control, with the last 10 years in inpatient diabetes education and glycemic control. Jenelle was one of the recipients of the 2014 South Carolina Gold Award for Nursing Excellence where Diabetes Education and Glycemic Management for the inpatient were emphasized. Jenelle is presently the Lead Clinical Practice Specialist for Palmetto Health Baptist and Baptist Parkridge. She is passionate about how care is provided and how diabetes/hyperglycemia is managed in the hospital. When Jenelle is not working, she loves singing in her church choir and traveling with her husband to see their adult children and grandchildren.
Elizabeth (Liz) Stokes, SC Coordinating Body Co-Chair
In 2014, after a 22 year hiatus from school, Liz returned to school via Kaplan's on-line graduate program and completed her Masters in Nursing Education. Liz has a background in home health nursing with DHEC, where she was part of a fundamental team of educators who worked to endorse and implement ADA recognition programs, which was the impetus for becoming a CDE in 1997. Presently she works part time as the coordinator for Baptist Easley Hospital's out-patient diabetes education program, believes the world revolves around her 5 grandchildren, and when not busy spending time with them, loves to travel.
Tiffaney Threatt, SC Coordinating Body Finance Leader
After receiving my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, I practiced in a community pharmacy setting for 13 years before transitioning into academia at Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. Currently I serve as an assistant professor and teach in a variety of courses throughout the curriculum. When I am not teaching in the classroom, I coordinate our on-site Wellness Center which provides health and wellness services to college employees and diabetes education services to the surrounding community. Working with patients who have diabetes has been one of my most rewarding experiences. Outside of work, I live for spending time with my two children and wonderful husband. We love to watch movies and travel to new places. One day I hope to find more time to cook and paint.
Cynthia Norris, SC Coordinating Body Education Co-Leader
Hello! My name is Cynthia Norris. I am an RN, BSN and have been a certified diabetes educator since 1999. I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990, and have worked in many different areas over the years. I first became interested in diabetes while working in home health back in the 90’s. Our home health agency created a diabetes team that visited all patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes, so needless to say this was most everyone. I found that by working as a home health nurse, this becomes a very personal experience. You really get to know a patient in their personal space. It was after working with patients in their home, that I really began to realize how much education is needed. After this experience, I was hooked on diabetes and wanted to help patients live with this disease.
For the past 8 years, I have worked for the Medical Group of the Carolinas in the diabetes education department. This diabetes center and endocrinology office is part of the Spartanburg Regional Hospital System in Spartanburg, South Carolina. As a CDE here, I see patients with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in individual and group classes. I enjoy seeing all patients with diabetes, but have a special place in my heart for the patients with gestational diabetes. These patients are usually very motivated to manage diabetes for the health of their babies. I am actively involved with the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and since 2012, have volunteered my time as the South Carolina Coordinating Body Educational Leader. Also, I have had the privilege of serving on the planning committee for the Upper Piedmont LNG annual conference for several years. As for my personal life, I have been married to my husband for 28 years, and have a 19 year old daughter. I enjoy reading, being active in my church, and spending time with my family.
Eileen Ward, SC Coordinating Body Education Co-Leader
Eileen Ward is a graduate of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Following graduation in 2011, she completed a residency with Campbell University and Kerr Drug in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina where she focused on aspects of medication management and diabetes education in the pharmacy setting along with experiences in academia. She later began employment with Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in Clinton, South Carolina where she serves in the pharmacist-run wellness center offering diabetes education services and additional disease state management assistance. She is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist pursuing her CDE and credentialing as a tobacco treatment specialist. Eileen has a passion for teaching patients how to better care for themselves through education and self-motivation. Outside of work, Eileen enjoys watching football with her family, spending time outside, and cooking.
Ramona Hrysikos, SC Coordinating Body Technology Co-Leader
My name is Ramona R. Hrysikos RN BSN,CDE. I have been a nurse for 18 years. I am a graduate of USC- upstate. I have been employed with Mary Black Health System for 24 years. I have worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse, an Endoscopy, nurse and currently I am in my 6th year in Diabetes education. This is my 4th year as a CDE. I am the inpatient educator and the coordinator for the Outpatient Diabetes Self Management Program at Mary Black Health System. I started Sugar Buddies a Diabetes support group, 4 years ago, that meets once a month and is free to the community offering educational topics that would be helpful for those who have diabetes or just want to learn. I absolutely love the educational aspect of nursing and I am very passionate about diabetes education as it hits close to home. It is very rewarding to see how you can make such a positive impact in someone's life who is walking on their journey with Diabetes.
I am a single mother of 3 beautiful children. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love travel, meeting people and learning about different cultures, food, music and will dance till I drop every opportunity I get. It is such a stress reliever!
I am currently taking online courses through Gardner Webb University to obtain my Masters Degree in hopes I will one day be a Nurse Practitioner. I look forward to expanding my knowledge through this leadership role alongside Erica Moore,CDE as the Technology leaders for SC AADE.
I look forward to interacting with all of you and encourage you all to open discussions, blog, and learn in this wonderful online forum! Let's learn together!
Erica Moore, SC Coordinating Body Technology Co-Leader
Erica Moore obtained her BS and Master of Health Sciences from Western Carolina University. She has worked in diabetes education since 1997 with experience in worksite wellness, public health, inpatient and outpatient diabetes education. Erica has a special interest in working with people with type 1 diabetes, and loves working with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Erica also a passion for diabetes prevention and wellness. Erica currently is the manager of the Medical Group of the Carolinas Diabetes Education Program, with 5 locations in the Upstate.
When Erica is not working, you will find her at Jazzercise, traveling with her husband Russ, hiking in the NC/SC mountains, listening to live music, or trying the latest wine. If you have any questions about My AADE Network or technology, need help posting a discussion, or anything about technology, please reach out to Erica.
Roxanne Singer-Gheorghiu, SC Coordinating Body Advocacy Co-Leader
Roxanne is a board certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, She completed her advanced practice training at Duke University Medical Center School of Nursing. Her BSN was earned at State University of New York Stony Brook where she was admitted in to Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nurses. Roxanne’s clinical practice and interests are focused on research and prevention. Currently, she serves as research director at BG Neurology and runs clinics on Stroke prevention with a strong focus on treatment for pre-diabetes. In addition she has established multiple diabetes neuropathy and fibromyalgia treatment and research protocols. In addition to her role for the SC Body AADE advocacy leader, she has been a speaker for the Alzheimer’s Association and has advocated for research in the upstate and is a member South Carolina Childhood Obesity Task Force.
Annie Littlejohn, SC Coordinating Body Advocacy Co-Leader
I work with the Medical Group of the Carolinas – Diabetes Education in Spartanburg, S.C. I attended the University of South Carolina Upstate and acquired my Associates Degree in Nursing in 1992 and graduated from Gardner-Webb University in 2005 with my Bachelor’s Degree. I am currently enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Gardner-Webb University. I obtained my certification in diabetes education in 2007. My passion is to help those who are affected by this disease.
Carolyn Bethea, SC Coordinating Body Membership Co-Leader
Carolyn Bethea has been active in the field of diabetes for over 30+ years. She began her career as a hospital RD in Charlotte, NC and very quickly found out how much fun Diabetes Education was and moved on to specialize in DSME. Her thesis, published in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, was an early inpatient study of DSME within a hospital setting. After earning both a CUP undergraduate and MS degree in Human Nutrition, Carolyn moved onto working in both Inpatient DM Case Mgt (St Francis Hospital, Greenville), Outpatient DSME (Palmetto Health Baptist Easley), and enjoyed a short time in the Endo Office in Spartanburg, SC.
Currently, she travels the entire state of South Carolina as the Senior MSL for Novo Nordisk where she works in KOL development, and supports many of the Novo Nordisk clinical trials in both diabetes and obesity. Her husband, David, holds down the fort while Carolyn is on the road during the weekdays, but on the weekends, Carolyn and David enjoy a variety of church activities, and frequent babysitting of their special needs (autistic) niece and nephew.
As membership Chair, Carolyn has a passion for engaging more AADE members to become active in LNGs, and has recently facilitated new LNGs both in Columbia and Charleston. The most fulfilling part of Carolyn’s job is meeting other professionals who are passionate in both treating and educating others in how to best care for their diabetes.
We are excited to be your leadership team for SC! Please reach out to us if we can help with anything.