Our Care Team
Diabetes is a complex disease, and often a patient with diabetes feels overwhelmed and confused about how to manage it. Working with the primary care physician, a team of diabetes educators can educate, support, and teach self-management skills to the patient with diabetes. This team approach is the best way to ensure that every patient receives the highest quality of care to improve his or her health.
Kay Peacock, MS, RD, CDE
Diabetes Education Coordinator
Metro Health Southwest (616) 252-8438
Kay Peacock is the coordinator of Metro Health's diabetes education program. She has been a registered dietitian for 15 years and a certified diabetes educator since 2005. Kay also has a master's degree in nutrition and specializes in developing individual meal plans for her patients.
Susi Wals, RN, CDE, BSN
Diabetes Educator
Metro Health Southwest (616) 252-8339
Susi Wals has been at Metro Health since 1979 and with the diabetes education program for more than 10 years. She is a certified diabetes educator with expertise in helping patients manage their disease,
including intensive insulin management and insulin pump therapy.
Jan Hopewell, RD, CDE
Diabetes Educator
Metro Health Breton, Cedar Springs, Lowell (616) 252-4787
Jan Hopewell has been a registered dietitian for more than 30 years and
has spent the past 15 as a certified diabetes educator. She is dedicated to patient needs and takes great care in providing individualized nutrition guidance for each of her patients.
Karen Kwekel, RN, BSN, CDE
Diabetes Educator
Metro Health Breton, Cedar Springs, Lowell (616) 252-4787
Karen Kwekel began her career at Metro Health in 1987 as a registered nurse for the hospital. She held a variety of positions before going back to school in 1994 for her BSN. Karen has been a diabetes educator since 1997 and loves her current role helping people manage their diabetes.
Carol Van Rhee, RN, CDE
Diabetes Educator
Metro Health Breton, Cedar Springs, Lowell, Southwest (616) 252-8339
Carol Van Rhee has been a certified diabetes educator since 2005 and joined our team as one of the nurse instructors. She has experience in
both classroom diabetes education and clinic visits with a physician.
Carol specializes in insulin pump training and management.