Staff

Carolyn Swithers, RN, BSN, CDE
Director Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management

I believe we have to work at maintaining health. I'm committed to improve the standard of diabetes care and to provide a competent and caring staff to make health attainable for our patients and our community.

• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Board of Directors 2007-2010
• NJ Diabetes Clinical Task Force 2005 to present
• Lead member Hunterdon County Medication Access Program 2004 to present
• HMC Leadership Excellence 2002
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Educator of the Year 2003
• County Public Health Advisory Board 1998 to Present
  

Marc Sandberg, MD, FACP, CDE
Medical Director Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management

Quality diabetes care requires a team approach, and at its core, are well-informed patients and staff. The Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management provides this opportunity to acquire knowledge of quality diabetes care and disseminate this knowledge to providers and patients. The ultimate goal of our Center is to improve the health and well being of people living with diabetes.

• Top Doc in New Jersey 2005
• ADA Northern New Jersey Council President 2006 to present

Beverley Manganelli, RD, BS, CDE
Manager Community Nutrition

In a time where food and nutrition enter into almost every conversation, it is very fulfilling to be able to contribute to promoting safe, healthy nutrition advice to the community. The importance of food in the management and prevention of disease make the old saying "you are what you eat" truer than ever.

• HMC Employee of the Month February 2004
• Region 2 Co-chair of the NJ Dietetic Association

Kira Levy
Secretary

I hope, as the first person to greet you, I meet your expectations of being empathetic, caring and professional.  At a time in our lives when things are changing, we look forward to a caring staff and I am glad to be the one who will greet you when you enter our office and make it a great experience.

I look forward to meeting and talking to all of our patients.

Carla Merker
Secretary

I am so excited to be working for such a stellar organization.  Everyone here has so warmly welcomed me and I know all the patients coming here feel that warmth too.  It is wonderful to be working beside such thoughtful, caring, and skilled professionals.

"Never underestimate the power of simple courtesy.  Your courtesy may not be returned or remembered, but discourtesy will."  --Princess Jacskon Smith

  Diabetes Educators

Alicia Dougherty, RN, BSN, CDE
Diabetes Educator

I see my role as a diabetes educator as someone who helps a person see that learning to manage diabetes can be a positive experience, resulting in a healthier lifestyle and a better sense of well-being.

I try to simplify the concepts of diabetes management so people can achieve success without being overwhelmed.

I am always so pleased when a person realizes he can take charge of his own health as his own advocate, rather than be a passive health consumer.

• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Distinguished Service Award 2007
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Nominating Committee 2007-2008
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Educator of the Year 2000
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Secretary 1997-99/2001-03/2005-07
  

Elizabeth Tursi, RN, BSN
Inpatient/Outpatient Diabetes Educator

It is my pleasure to be a part of the Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management team.  It's a privilige to be able to teach you and your family about diabetes care.  As a registered nurse, I am your advocate to help, guide, support and give you the knowledge that you need to successfully manage your care.  Whether it is a new diagnosis or a change in treatment we can help you through it step by step until you have gained the confidence to self-manage your care successfully.  It is a great feeling to see patients feeling confident about their diabetes management and living a healthy life.

• Member, Sigma Theta Tau International, The Honor Society of Nurses

Catherine Attridge, RN
Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Liaison

Working as an Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Liaison allows me to be a part of a special team which will assist you in the self management of your diabetes.  The knowledge provided while in the hospital will empower you to take an active and informed role in your personal diabetic care when you are at home.

Mary Whitlock, RNC, BSN, CDE
Diabetes Educator

For many, the onset of diabetes can be turned into an opportunity to learn, grow and make changes that they have been "meaning to do" for years.

My role as a diabetes educator is to first help you deal with the feelings you experience when told that you have diabetes, then help you set priorities and assist in learning to make healthier lifestyle choices - which will last for a lifetime. I incorporate mind/body strategies; technology, education and support to ease this transition to a healthier you. My goal is to help you to understand the latest approaches to diabetes care, so you can ultimately make the best decisions for you.

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail" -- Abraham Maslow

• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Newsletter Editor 2004-07

Barbara Zehnder, RN, BSN, CDE
Diabetes Educator

Diabetes is a controllable challenge. Knowledge is needed to recognize when your blood sugar is out of target range and what necessary steps need to be taken. Your perception of diabetes can be changed from problem to challenge. I'm here to help.

• HMC Wescott Award in Nursing 2001
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Educator of the Year 2005
• Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Board of Directors 2003-04

Community Nutritionists

Food is an important part of our lives for social and health reasons.  As a registered dietitian, my goal is to help people learn to eat to maintain their health without feeling deprived of the social aspect of eating.  There are many medical conditions which require nutritional management.  By teaching lifestyle changes and addressing moderation, people can improve their food choices and be empowered to take control of their eating habits.  This can help them manage their medical conditions.  Once management of a medical condition is achieved, there is an improved sense of well-being which has a positive impact on overall health and wellness.

Shanti Kengeter, RD, BS, CDE
Community Nutritionist

My purpose as a Certified Diabetes Educator, specializing in nutrition, is helping people recognize what barriers are blocking them in making healthier food and lifestyle choices.

I celebrate with each person as they discover the increased well-being, energy, confidence and joy that is theirs as they move towards their personal health care goals.

This is what life is really all about...people encouraging and mentoring each other to achieve their fullest potential.

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us." -- Marrianne Williamson

Kathy Lombardi, RD, BS, CDE
Community Nutritionist

Food is not only essential to our health, but it is an important part of our lives. In todays world there is so much information about health and food it is hard to know what is accurate. I became a Registered Dietitian to help people understand how to eat well and make sense of all this nutrition information. By teaching our clients I hope we are helping them to understand not only how nutrition will impact their health but what changes can be made to improve it. This is especially true in our clients with diabetes. We educate to empower others to be in control of their lives and nothing is more satisfying than helping our clients reach their goals of improved health and well being.

Michelle D. Moder MS, RD, CDE
Community Nutritionist

Good nutrition and wellness are the keys to reducing our risk of illness and promoting longevity. My goal as a dietitian is to educate the community about the healthful benefits attained through proper nutrition. Whether I am educating a client with diabetes, hypertension, childhood obesity or those who suffer from eating disorders, my goal is to help them make healthy choices that they will be able to maintain throughout their lives. I believe that your body is the greatest instrument you will ever own and you must take care of it.

Velta Soucie, RD, BS, CDE
Community Nutritionist

Working as a nutritionist allows me to help others - by being a teacher, a motivator, and a support person. I enjoy helping people focus and execute their goals for healthier lifestyle habits. Seeing a person feel hopeful and better prepared to make healthier food choices before they leave the office is very important to me.