It is with great honor and pleasure that we introduce our 2021 One Walk Healthcare Ambassador, Katherine Beckwith-Fickas, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital/Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ since 2015. Watch her

The Healthcare Ambassador is an Everyday Hero who inspires those affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) to be brave, be strong, and fight to turn Type One into Type None. Known lovingly by her patients as Dr. Kate, she is renowned for her warmth, humor, and the special care she gives to each and every one of her patients. Her support for her patients extends beyond the doctor’s office. She sees the value in creating a community for those affected by T1D.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Kate was first exposed to T1D when she met a friend in high school who had been diagnosed at the age of 7. Watching her new best friend navigate all the normal ups and downs of high school while managing her diabetes left her scared, but also in awe of everything she was able to accomplish. Dr. Kate learned how to support and encourage her friend, which ultimately drove her passion for bettering the lives of all people with T1D.

Dr. Kate attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she credits her endocrinology mentors with fostering her interest in weight management. She then went on to the UMDNJ School of Public Health where she obtained her medical degree and Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degrees. Her thesis focused on rates of pediatric obesity in NJ and she started to develop an interest in Type 2 diabetes.

She completed a pediatric residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and within the first few weeks she knew she had found her career path: pediatric endocrinology.

Dr. Kate says, “When I’m in the room with my patients…that’s where my heart is. And that’s a really amazing thing.” Her patients agree. Watch this moving tribute put together by several of Dr. Kate’s patients.

With one of her favorite JDRF events being the One Walk, it’s only fitting that we honor Dr. Kate Beckwith-Fickas with the title of 2021 One Walk Healthcare Ambassador!

In this video, Dr. Kate recognizes her team’s work and collaboration with JDRF as our 2021 Health Care Ambassador for the JDRF One Walk.