Care Team Spotlight: Taylor Boudreau, Diabetes Nurse Practitioner

Community Diabetes Partnership Program

For several years, Taylor split her week between helping people manage diabetes at Worcester's UMass Memorial Medical Center campus and in northern Massachusetts at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. As of 2025, she is full-time in Gardner, providing expert diabetes care closer to her home. Taylor and her husband are parents to three children and a seven-pound morkie (maltese and yorkie mix) named Diesel.

Education & Certifications

BS in Nursing from Fitchburg State
Masters in Nursing from MCPHS University in Worcester
Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM)

While completing the Nurse Practitioner program at MCPHS University, the preceptor who supervised Taylor’s clinical practice was endocrinologist Dr. Richard Haas, who spent many years seeing patients at both Worcester’s UMass Memorial University campus and Heywood Hospital as part of our Community Diabetes Partnership Program.

“I’ve learned so much from him,” Taylor said. “Dr. Haas made a huge difference in those north county communities by bringing the Diabetes Center of Excellence's quality care, diabetes expertise, and resources to people who live in those towns and were having their diabetes treated by their primary care physicians (PCP).”

Since beginning her career at UMass Memorial and Heywood Hospital in 2016, Taylor has appreciated the opportunity to continue working closely with and learning from Dr. Haas. Together, they have helped many people lead healthier lives by offering newer, more effective medications and the latest diabetes management technology.

What Makes the UMass Diabetes Care Clinic Special

Many resources are available to people living with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Taylor appreciates how the care team in Worcester works together to provide individualized diabetes management as needed.

"Unlike a primary care physician (PCP), who cannot possibly stay up-to-date on the latest technology and treatment options for every disease and ailment, we specialize in treating people living with diabetes. Our knowledge of diabetes management products allows us to help patients if they have issues obtaining necessary supplies. Our team is also available to help when problems arise with supply, insurance, or device companies. My experience working at a smaller community hospital, such as Heywood, has made me appreciate all the accessibility the UMass DCOE offers to diabetes patients.

Most Frustrating Part of the Job

"Unfortunately, insurance companies and medication costs often dictate treatment. It doesn’t make sense for me to prescribe a medication, even if I feel it’s the best option, if it’s not covered or the cost will be so high that the patient won’t fill it and take it. Instead, we use creative combinations of meds to attack best the patient’s needs that fit within their insurance coverage."

Most Rewarding Part of the Job

Building relationships with patients and their families, and seeing the pride they take in making progress, such as lowering their A1c, achieving a weight goal, or getting their blood sugars into a healthy range after making lifestyle changes, is incredibly rewarding. There aren’t many diseases that affect nearly every decision you make each day, the way diabetes does. I enjoy helping people understand the barriers preventing them from keeping their blood sugars within a healthy range and helping them to overcome those obstacles. Once we develop a plan and they put it into action and see results, they feel better, and that’s the most rewarding part."