Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dr. Jessica Kerr, associate professor and assistant chair in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy (SOP), received the American Diabetes Association (ADA) LEARN Outreach Award on Dec. 5.
The annual award is presented to a volunteer who has demonstrated a significant and ongoing commitment to those affected by diabetes by organizing, conducting and facilitating ADA programs and activities that provide education, raise awareness and deliver services in their community.
Kerr became involved with the ADA in 2007. She and colleague Dr. Chris Lynch, director of clinical programs and professor of pharmacy practice in SIUE’s SOP, held a diabetes patient education day on the SIUE campus. They reached out to 15 patients.
Over the past seven years, that program has grown to be the largest ADA program in the Metro-East and helps provide patient education to over 150 patient and caregiver participants.
Over the years, Kerr has coordinated with the ADA Leadership Council, SIUE SOP students organizations and other Madison County Leadership Council members to make sure these education programs are provided free of charge to all participants.
In addition to her volunteer time with the ADA, Kerr is a clinical pharmacist and certified diabetes educator. She provides cardiovascular risk education and diabetes management to central and southern Illinois veterans through the Belleville Community Based Outpatient Clinic associated with the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
She continues to serve as a consultant to many area schools providing education to faculty and staff to ensure safe practices when assisting kindergarten-12th grade students with diabetes.
Kerr’s family history drove her passion about diabetes. “It has to do with my grandfather, Donald Hamner, and his diagnosis with type 2 diabetes,” she said. “I admired his drive to not let a chronic disease hold him back. His example encouraged me to help patients manage their diabetes.”
Kerr’s mission is to empower patients to take care of themselves and minimize the impact of their diabetes. She is grateful for all of the valuable professional relationships from which she and her patients have benefitted through the ADA. She is extremely proud to be making meaningful contributions.