Abington Diabetes Team: Thursday Alpacas

Alpaca Meet the team that will care for diabetes patients on Thursdays at CHOP Specialty Care, Abington.

Endocrinologist: Sara Pinney, MD

Sara Pinney, MD, joined our division in 2005 and she had been seeing patients in Abington since 2015. Dr. Pinney completed her medical school training at the University of Cincinnati, her pediatrics residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, and her pediatric endocrinology fellowship at CHOP. Her clinical practice focuses on general pediatric endocrinology, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and atypical or monogenic forms of diabetes. Dr. Pinney is the Director of the Monogenic and Atypical Diabetes program at CHOP.

Nurse Practitioners: Melissa Rearson, MSN, CRNP and Maureen Dever, MSN, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CDCES

Melissa Rearson, MSN, CRNP, has been a member of our division since 1993. She graduated with her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Her specialties include helping families find their own journey with diabetes using tools and tips to help along the way. She advocates for families to be able to use all of the resources and technology possible to achieve their diabetes goals. Melissa is also our liaison to the CHOP Public Relations team and works with the Diabetes Center to help patients and families to learn and connect outside of the traditional clinic setting. She leads our participation in Diabetes Camp annually.

Maureen Dever, MSN, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CDCES, has been a member of our division since 2017 and has been a diabetes nurse practitioner since 2000. She graduated with her MSN, CRNP, from Drexel University and is also a board-certified diabetes educator. Her specialties include type 1 and type 2 diabetes, atypical diabetes and adolescent depression screening. Maureen is also adjunct faculty in the Nurse Practitioner Program at Drexel University.

Diabetes Educator: Rachel Fowlie

Social Worker: Stephanie Nickerson, LCSW, MSW

Stephanie Nickerson, LCSW, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, who is a recent addition to the CHOP Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes. She graduated with her BSW from Sacred Heart University in 2015 and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. Stephanie received her LCSW in 2019. Stephanie is excited to join the team to support patients and families impacted by diabetes! Stephanie currently lives in South Jersey with her two cats and enjoys cooking for her family in her free time.

Nutrition: Kristi Drabouski, RD, CDCES, LDN

Kristi Drabouski, RD, CDCES, LDN, is the dietitian joining the Abington Alpacas Diabetes Team. Kristi has been working at CHOP since 2006 in clinical nutrition inpatient and outpatient sections. Kristi has been active in Diabetes Center at CHOP since 2017 on the Princeton Parrots, Tuesday Turtles and Thursday Tiger teams. Kristi is looking forward to meeting new patients and families and welcoming back those who are transitioning from other offices.

Psychologist: Julie Gettings (BGR)

A Team Approach

At the Diabetes Center for Children, we use a coordinated team approach to help your family achieve better control of diabetes. Each of our specialists helps your family navigate the different types of challenges you may face. Learn more about team member roles.


Next Steps
Appointments and Referrals
girl testing blood sugar

Tools to Manage Diabetes

These resources will help your child and family manage blood sugar testing, highs and lows, insulin, nutrition, and more.

young boy smiling

Life With Diabetes

Review our information about support and coping, school, teen topics, and general well-being.