Rita Girouard Mertig, MS, RNC, CNS, DE has been a registered nurse for 43 years with a Master of Science degree. She has taught nursing in a variety of programs and recently retired after 21 years from teaching in an associate degree nursing program in which she also taught nutrition. Rita also has had type 1 Diabetes for 25 years and has used an insulin pump for 15 years.
She currently volunteers at CrossOver Ministries clinic where she teach classes and conducts one-on-one sessions on weight management and diabetes management for clients with minimal ability to pay for services. During the 1980s and 90s, Rita led a support group for people with diabetes who were using insulin under the auspices of the American Diabetes Association, Richmond, VA chapter, and has also served on the board of directors.
She has previously authored two books, Teaching Nursing in an Associate Degree Program and The Nurses' Guide to Teaching Diabetes Self- Management both published by Springer Publishing Company.