A Registered Nurse for nearly four decades and an educator for the past 10 years at California Nurses Education Institute (CNEI), Edwina Dirk brings a wealth of hands-on experience and passion for teaching to Alzheimers Coachella Valley. She is the program director for CNEI’s Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) nursing programs.

Edwina first became a volunteer at ACV when she developed a 27-week state-approved Continuing Education Unit course for Dementia Caregiver Training, which services CNA and HHA professionals, a first-ever program in the Coachella Valley.

She began teaching the course at ACV in April. Classes are offered the last Thursday of each month with a different topic and are currently free of charge. Classes have been at capacity, with 30+ attendees every month, and thus ACV has had to move to a larger office space.

Edwina’s vision for ACV is, “Keep growing. You are going in the right direction. I love what you are all doing, and I very much want to be part of this!” The ACV Board agreed and asked Edwina to serve on the board this summer.

A 16-year resident of Cathedral City, Edwina and her husband George love eating out and winning jackpots. Her hobby is collecting covered and uncovered ceramic pie dishes, which led to her “Winkie’s Odds & Ends” novelty business.