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 is the Director of Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support and 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. This extended scope allows her to work at an advanced level, providing prescriptions, ordering pathology tests and writing referrals to specialists.
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 role as a Diabetes Educator.
In her spare time, Fran loves to play golf, go camping, or spend time with her husband and 2 adult children. One day she hopes Carlton can win another flag!
Dawn Pescod – Nurse Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
MANP GradDip (CritCare) GCDE
Dawn is a Registered Nurse and has been a Credentialled Diabetes Educator since 2008. She joined Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support in 2016 and completed a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) in 2025, allowing her to work at an advanced level which includes providing prescriptions, ordering pathology tests and writing referrals to specialists. 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 was awarded Victorian CDE of the Year 2025! This is an award she is extremely proud of, as it represents her care and passion for her role as a Diabetes Educator.
Dawn loves spending time with family and friends and travelling. She enjoys many sporting activities including cross country skiing, rowing, walking and swimming and is an avid Doggies supporter. What makes her smile are dogs, food, coffee and diabetes camps.
Ashlee Franklin – Nurse Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
RN GCDE
Ash is a credentialled diabetes educator and joined our team in 2022. Ash also works at Austin Health in the Diabetes Education team. She has a special interest in technology and is a certified trainer in insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring.
Ash has a passion for helping people manage their diabetes, enjoys working with people of all ages and all types of diabetes. Outside of work, Ash is a busy mum of 3 young children.
Kylie Nadenbousch – Nurse Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
MANP DipAdvNsg GCDE
Kylie is a committed member of our team, joining us in 2024. A registered nurse since 1988, she transitioned to community health in 2003 and completed her Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education in 2004. Kylie has over 20 years’ experience in diabetes care and she completed a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) in 2025, allowing her to provide prescriptions, order pathology tests and write referrals to specialists.
Warm and approachable, Kylie is deeply committed to helping people manage their diabetes with confidence through providing knowledge and support.
A proud mother of four and a new grandmother, Kylie enjoys life on a small acreage with her husband, where she tends the garden, absorbs the sunshine, and makes the most of the outdoors. She especially cherishes annual camping holidays with her family.
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 a GPCCMP or 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.