Meet the Staff: Maria G. Robles, RN, BSN, CDE

How did you choose to work in the field of disease management? 
During my years of working as a registered nurse in a hospital setting I developed a special interest in following up on the patients after they went home from the hospital. I always enjoyed making the after-discharge phone calls, providing health education over the phone and assisting patients in accessing the necessary services that were key in preventing hospitalization. My ability to problem solve and my ease of communication, both in Spanish and in English, with patients and their families led me to do disease management on a full-time basis. 

What do you do in your role at Sharp Rees-Stealy Disease Management? 
As a lead for the diabetes education/disease management program at Sharp Rees-Stealy, I work closely with the quality department, participate in precepting new disease managers and, my ultimate favorite, work with doctors on diabetes cases that are difficult to manage.

How do you help your patients succeed in managing their chronic disease? 
I help patients to be more successful in managing their diabetes by assisting them in identifying the barriers to good diabetes control, helping them set personal goals to achieve optimum control and empowering them to access their health care system on a regular basis.

What is the key to self-managing a chronic disease?
It is important to believe that knowledge is power and that a strong communication with health care professionals is vital. 

How do you stay healthy? 
I stay healthy by constantly assessing my life and making sure that I nourish all aspects of my life. I love dancing, learning and spending time with my friends and family.

For More Information
To learn more or to speak with someone to determine if you're eligible to participate in a Sharp Rees-Stealy disease management program, please call 619-446-1571, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.