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It was Sept. 1 when Kimberly Morris, RN, CDCES, received an email notifying her that she was the recipient of the first Virginia Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year Award. She’ll never forget the date because on that same night, her mom was admitted to the ICU, where, sadly, she passed a short time later. 

“The beautiful thing is that she knew about the award, and that was more important to me than getting it,” says Kim. “I won this honor because of the gifts she gave us and the things she instilled in us — the values, the work ethic. I look at my daughter. I look at my niece and my sister, and we're just very strong. She did so much to help us be the women that we are and loved our family so deeply.”

Work ethic, compassion, and dedication are just a few of the Morris family traits that Kim’s colleagues say made her a standout candidate for this statewide recognition. “Kim Morris treats her job as a diabetes educator more like a ministry than a job,” says Allison Pace, Administrative Specialist for Diabetes Education, who has worked alongside Kim for 24 years. “She is the most amazing nurse that I know.”

Kim has a long history at UVA Health. She worked as a junior volunteer during high school and college, and joined the staff full-time after completing nursing school in 1985. Her career path took her from pediatrics to surgical admissions. But it wasn’t until her son was born that she found her calling. “I was always interested in helping with diabetes care, but that wasn't really my passion until my son was diagnosed with type 1,” she says. “I moved over to diabetes education in 2000 and became certified in 2002.”

For more than two decades, Kim has helped patients navigate this chronic disease. She educates them on best practices and the latest technology, attends to their physical needs, connects them with resources to help them overcome barriers to care and, most importantly, she inspires them to take charge of their health. “I don't even see it as a job these days. It's just a real joy to be able to walk through the doors and figure out what you can do to help somebody else, to empower them to be independent in their own health and their care,” she says.

“From Kim, I learned how to be an advocate for our patients and our profession, and I’m grateful to have worked beside her,” says Viola Holmes, MS, RDN, CDCES, Kim’s former coworker.

Kim’s passion for helping others has taken her well beyond the community she calls home. She has volunteered at the Remote Area Medical clinic in Wise, Va. for over 10 years, and recruited her family members to work alongside her. Through a program called Mission of Hope, Kim was able to share her skills and insight with care providers and patients in Bolivia. “There are so many things that she does above and beyond,” says Allison. 

At the Virginia Coordinating Body of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) annual state conference on Friday, Nov. 8, Kim received the recognition she deserves. Her nominee, colleague and friend, Cynthia Moore, MS, RN, CDCES, had this message to share with her:

“Part of this award for you, Kim, is in thanks for all this service. You’ve often delivered care so humbly and clearly that only you and your patient’s know about these everyday miracles or fruits of patient confidence and a robust return to health. Thanks for setting the bar and sharing a standard for service that inspires many of us.”