NUMC ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION AS A DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SITE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2011
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055
NUMC ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION AS A DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SITE
East Meadow, NY… Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, is pleased to announce that the Nassau University Medical Center’s diabetes self-management education (DSME) program has been accredited by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) “I am very proud to say that NUMC has joined the roster for recognized programs by the ADA. The NUMC DSME program is proud to be a part of this noble mission of preventing and curing diabetes in order to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes,” said Gianelli. “Recognition was awarded this month when our program met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education as set forth by the ADA in its request to provide quality education to persons with diabetes.”
Diabetes is one of our nation’s most prevalent, debilitating and costly diseases. Nearly 24 million Americans are living with diabetes, and another 57 million have pre-diabetes. Almost six million persons have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three Americans, and one in two minorities, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, if we do not change our current unhealthy habits.
“A goal of our DSME program is to equip persons with diabetes with the tools, skills and knowledge base necessary to live healthily and to successfully manage their diabetes. In so doing, it is our hope to avoid or diminish the acute and chronic complications associated with diabetes while, at the same time, helping our patients live a productive and emotionally satisfying life,” said Kenneth H. Hupart, MD, chief of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.
The course is taught by Terry Gray, ANP-BC, PhD, CDE who has been certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. The role of the Certified Diabetes Educator entails assessing each program participant for their learning needs, structuring an individualized teaching plan with specific goals, bringing the participant through the education process and evaluating the outcomes of the learning experience. Dr. Gray added, “We want to help our patients realize that life does not end with the diagnosis of diabetes; that it is a condition that can be controlled. Another goal for our program is to identify those with pre-diabetes and teach them how to avoid progressing to a diagnosis of diabetes.”
The program is open to persons with any type of diabetes and persons with pre-diabetes. The education sessions are offered on both an individual basis and group sessions. For registration, please contact Ms. Tenekia Lindsay-Sopp, program coordinator at 516 572-6573 or tlindsa1@numc.edu.
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life. Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community. By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.