Kate Beckwith-Fickas is a pediatric endocrinologist at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital/Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. Born and raised in NJ, Dr. Kate went to Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the UMDNJ School of Public Health where she obtained her MD and Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degrees. She then completed a pediatric residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD. It is because of her passionate for her work and commitment to provide individualized and comprehensive care to her patients and their families that we are honored to share Dr. Kate’s story as this month’s everyday hero.

What is your T1D story? 

I was first exposed to T1D by one of my best friends from growing up. We met in high school. She had been diagnosed with T1D at 7 years old. I watched her navigate all the normal ups and downs of high school, and I remember being in awe of her ability to also manage diabetes.  

I also remember being scared for her. I saw that day–to–day management was hard. She was in DKA a few times and my friends and I tried to encourage her to be healthy. Thinking back, I didn’t know much at all about diabetes. I knew that I needed to have juice if she came over, I reminded her to take her insulin. In the summer she went to Camp Nejeda, and I was sad that I couldn’t go with her – she loved it. 

T1D has always had a special place in my heart because of my best friend. She – and now all of the amazing patients I have had the honor to care for – continue to drive my passion for bettering the lives of those with T1D. 

What made you choose your career path?  

I always knew I wanted to be a doctor and work with kids. During medical school, I had amazing endocrinologist mentors, and I became interested in weight management.  

I pursued a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on health education and behavioral science. My thesis focused on rates of pediatric obesity in NJ. I started to develop an interest in Type 2 Diabetes as well. 

I went to Johns Hopkins for residency. The endocrinology team there was stellar, and I sought them out right away. Within the first couple of weeks I knew I had found my career path.  

Pediatric Endocrinology is the perfect niche for me. If I was to go back and do it again, I would do it all the same. I love what I do. When I’m in the room with my patients … that’s where my heart is. And that’s a really amazing thing.  

How did you get connected to JDRF? 

I started at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in August 2015. I came straight from my fellowship; my husband and I are NJ residents, so we knew we wanted to be here.  

When I started, we weren’t partnered with JDRF in all the ways possible. I remember thinking, “where are the JDRF bags?” I was familiar with JDRF from my time at Hopkins and had participated in JDRF One Walks in Baltimore. That was how we began to expand our partnership beyond the yearly JDRF One Walk, Jersey Shore. 

Tell us about your American Girl doll program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.  

At the beginning of 2016, American Girl started to make a play diabetes care kit for the dolls. I read about it and knew I needed to incorporate it in my practice.  

I solicited for donations of gently used American Girl dolls and clothing; I asked for support from local friends and family as well as posted about the project on a Facebook physician’s mom’s group (PMG). 

The response was amazing; I’ve had dolls sent to me from all over the country, including Alaska. American Girl started to sell a boy doll too, which I also use.  

Now, new onsets in the right age range receive a doll, clothes and a diabetes play kit in the hospital. The project helps patients and families cope with diagnosis and supports play therapy. It is wonderful for everyone involved. 

Since you started a partnership with your local JDRF, what makes you want to continue your relationship with us?  

I love everything about the partnership. My goal is to teach my patients there is nothing they can’t do. I also want to help them (and their families) live their best life until there is a cure. A partnership with JDRF helps me do that. It helps me provide better support for my patients, hook them up with other local families, see other kids at the Walk. You can’t replace that level of community. My partners and I can’t do this completely on our own in our practice. Having support across the state takes it to another level.  

What are some of your favorite JDRF events?  

I love JDRF One Walk, walking alongside my patients. We’re more than just doctors in an office. We’re real people who care about you, and we’re passionate about curing this disease. I went to TypeOneNation Summit last year; I absolutely loved it. And, of course, Cheers to our Heroes. I’ve gone every year.  

What are you most hopeful for? Excited for? 

I’m extremely hopeful for a cure. I’m also really excited for research related to disease prevention. There are medications being studied that give hope for those at risk of T1D – delaying disease progression and a T1D diagnosis. Such therapy would be amazing. To be able to say you’re at risk, and I can do something about it, would be game changing.  

What advice would you give to someone that is newly diagnosed? 

When I walk into rooms I say two things every single time:  

1. There is nothing that anyone did wrong. I feel there is a lot of guilt with a new diagnosis. This is no one’s fault. What you ate and drank in the last few weeks didn’t cause this. Everyone has the guilt. It’s a real thing and there are so many layers. We’ve got to peel them off and put them aside. 
2. You’re going to be completely fine, and we’re going to take care of the diabetes along the way. 

#T1DNoLimits is a real thing. There is nothing they can’t do. Its’ my job to help my patients and their families realize this and go after their dreams. 

What does a cure mean to you? 

A cure would be absolutely amazing. It would completely change what I do professionally, and I would be 100% OK with that.   

A huge weight would be lifted. I worry daily about my patients and their parents. How to help them overcome barriers, achieve better control, strive for normalcy while battling the fear of sudden and long-term complications. For me, the “worry” list goes on and on and I can’t imagine what the weight of this disease feels like for patients and families. 

To look at people and say that science could take this away from them … I get the chills.