Our staff have been providing individualised, comprehensive education and support to people and their families with Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes, as well as those at risk of developing diabetes since 2007. No matter what age you are, we are here to help you understand your condition, learn valuable self-management strategies and to live well with diabetes every day.

Our clinicians hold advanced skills and knowledge of the latest diabetes-related technology and can support you in accessing and using technology to enhance your diabetes management.

Recognition both as a Nurse Practitioner and CDE provides assurance to people with or at risk of diabetes, their families, carers and other health care providers that they can expect to receive quality diabetes education and advice.

Our Staff

As Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) we pride ourselves as members of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA)

Fran Brown – Nurse Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator

MANP BNsg DipAppSC(Nsg) GradDipHSc GCDE

Fran has been working as a Registered Nurse (RN) since 1988 and Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) since 1999. She completed a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) in 2023, which means her scope of practice has broadened, allowing her to provide prescriptions, order pathology tests and write referrals to specialists.

Fran has also completed studies in Health Program Evaluation and Health Promotion and Education. She founded Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support in 2007 due to a growing need to provide individualised care to people in the community with diabetes. Fran also consults with inpatients at Warringal Private Hospital.

Fran has a special interest in diabetes technology and is a certified trainer in all insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring systems. She enjoys working with people of all ages to help them understand and manage their condition and to live well with diabetes every day.

Fran was awarded Victorian CDE of the Year 2020! This is an award she is extremely proud of, as it represents her care and passion for her work.

Dawn Pescod – RN Credentialled Diabetes Educator

RN GradDip (CritCare) GCDE

Dawn has been CDE since 2008 and joined Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support in 2016. Dawn’s background is in critical care and her excellent clinical skills are well regarded by patients and colleagues alike.

Dawn is highly skilled in all aspects of diabetes care, from those newly diagnosed to those with complex needs including women with gestational diabetes requiring insulin throughout their pregnancy. She has a special interest in diabetes technology and works as a lead educator at diabetes camps.
Dawn is currently studying her Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) which will extend her scope of practice and consolidates her advanced level of care.

Ashlee Franklin – RN Credentialled Diabetes Educator

RN GCDE

Ash is a CDE who completed her Registered Nurse training in 2009 and joined the team at Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support in 2023. Ash completed her Certificate in Diabetes Education in 2012 and became credentialled in 2014.

Ash has worked at Austin Health as a nurse since 2010 and started working in the Diabetes Education team at Austin Health in 2013. Prior to this, she worked as a surgical nurse.

Ash is married, has three children and one of her biggest achievements in life was trekking to Everest base camp in 2016. Ash has a special interest in technology and is a certified trainer in insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring. She has a passion for helping people manage their diabetes, enjoys working with people of all ages and all types of diabetes.

Kylie Nadenbousch – RN Credentialled Diabetes Educator

RN DipAdvNsg GCDE

Kylie is a CDE who completed her registered nurse training in 1988 and joined the team at Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support in 2024. She subsequently acquired a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing in Community Health and a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

With over two decades of experience in diabetes care within the community health setting, she is deeply committed to assisting individuals in effectively managing diabetes through providing knowledge and support.

Presently, she is pursuing a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) to further her scope and proficiency in Diabetes Advanced Nursing Practice.

Who is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

The Nurse Practitioner role is the most advanced of the clinical nursing roles in Australia. Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses whose registration is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to enable practise within their scope which is protected by Law. Nurses practicing at an advanced practice level incorporate professional leadership, education and research into their practice.

They are endorsed to prescribe medications, provide pathology requests and generate referrals to specialists. These additional responsibilities can reduce the need for extra visits to your GP, saving you time and money, and complement your visits to your specialist.

There are also changes to the way Medicare rebates are provided. You do not require an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referral to see a Nurse Practitioner and there is no limit to the number of visits for which you will receive a Medicare rebate per calendar year. A rebate will be available after each visit.

Who is a Credentialled
Diabetes Educator (CDE)?

The Credentialled Diabetes Educator® (CDE) is a registered trademark allowing the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) to define the conditions under which the term is used. The ADEA grants status as a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) in recognition of demonstrated experience and expertise in diabetes education and commitment to professional development and ongoing learning that meet the ADEA’s expected standards. Recognition as a CDE is ADEA’s assurance to people with or at risk of diabetes, their families, carers and health care providers that they can expect to receive quality diabetes education and advice when consulting a CDE.

The ADEA recommends the CDE as the appropriately qualified provider of diabetes education. Credentialled Diabetes Educators are also the recognised by Medicare Australia and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as well as by private health insurers as the providers of diabetes education.

Credentialled Diabetes Educators already hold a professional health care qualification and have completed a post graduate certificate in diabetes education and care that has been accredited by the ADEA. Before gaining recognition as a CDE, they must complete a set minimum of clinical practice in diabetes education, participate in a mentoring partnership registered with the ADEA and have a referee report addressing the criteria of the National Core Competencies for Credentialled Diabetes Educators.

Credentialled Diabetes Educators must demonstrate ongoing participation in professional development within the specialty of diabetes education in accordance with the ADEA Credentialling and Re-Credentialling Program to gain and maintain recognition as a CDE. All CDEs must apply to the ADEA to retain their CDE status every year.