From Type 1 Diagnosis to Aspiring Diabetes Educator: Toby Hollister’s Journey
Published on July 14, 2025
By Hilary Holinghausen
At just 17 and soon to be a senior at Carterville High School, Toby Hollister is already a Certified Nursing Assistant. He completed John A. Logan College’s dual-credit CNA program this May (pictured with his certificate).
His commitment to caring began long before that, grounded in lessons from his family and mentors. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10, he recalled, “It was a struggle trying to get used to my new lifestyle, but we managed.”
His older sisters, both in nursing, have been key to his journey. Macey, who went through Southern Illinois University’s nursing program and now works at SIU Medicine, was the one who first recognized his symptoms and prompted him to get tested. Britt, who completed JALC’s CNA program, now cares for patients at Deaconess. “They’ve shown me what caring really looks like,” Toby said.
His dream of becoming a diabetes educator began with the calm male nurse who helped him at diagnosis. “I want to do for others what he did for me,” Toby explained.
When he was younger, he was attending Camp BETA, a free overnight camp in southern Illinois for youth with Type 1 diabetes, when he met SIH professional Lisa Nation. She inspired him so much that he returned to Camp BETA this summer as a junior counselor.
Earlier this year, Lisa, alongside Amy Stout, visited his NAD 101 class, giving hands-on training in both Type 1 and Type 2 care, an experience Toby said continues to fuel his passion. “They showed me that I can deal with it,” he said. “And I don’t have to let diabetes control me, I control it,” Toby added.
Looking ahead, Toby plans to stay at JALC for a nursing degree after graduation, then pursue certification as a diabetes educator. “CNA is the best foundation. It will get me into the world of medical things,” he reflected.
“Our dual credit and early college courses give high school students like Toby a great head start,” said Abby Porter, Manager of Dual Credit and Partnerships at JALC. “These opportunities not only help families save money but also build students’ confidence as they begin their journey into higher education.”
With his CNA credential, unwavering family support, dedicated mentors, and strong dual-credit foundation, Toby Hollister is on track to turn his personal journey into a career that empowers others, just as others have done for him.