Dr. Denise Van Sant - Smith

I have worked as a nurse in many different clinical areas – pediatrics and nursery, Emergency Department, step down and critical care units, med surg units and even home care.  This has given me the benefit of bringing intimate knowledge of many practice environments to the classroom setting. I continue to pursue education and training whenever possible in hospital settings. I also volunteer as a cabin nurse at a Diabetes Camp in NJ for children with Type 1 diabetes. It is so rewarding to help these kids go to camp, make friends and improve their management of T1. My role as an education has advanced and been improved through continuing education, attainment of the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) designation and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) designation. In May 2019, I completed my doctoral work to attain my PhD at Duquesne University. The focus of my doctoral research was the relationship between stress management through mindfulness and better blood glucose management as well as quality of life in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes