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JACKSON HOSPITAL
Contact: Rosie Smith FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 850/718-2696
Email: rsmith@jackhosp.org
Jackson Hospital’s Outpatient Diabetic Program
Diabetes Self Management Community Education Program
Marianna, FL, November 6, 2007. November is Diabetes Awareness month. The American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, provides information and resources to help those prevent and manage diabetes. In Jackson County, Jackson Hospital offers a community education program called Outpatient Diabetic Education to help those learn locally about diabetes care self-management, including diabetes complications, nutrition, and lifestyle.
This program does require a referral from your physician. As Anna Brunner, RN, BSN, CEN, Director of Education, at Jackson Hospital says, “this is a wonderful asset for the community.” Particularly when one considers about 1 resident in 5 has been told by their doctor they have diabetes.
“Self-management of diabetes is the cornerstone of diabetes care,” according Sandy Helms, ARNP, this area’s Certified Diabetes Educator and Jackson Hospital’s Outpatient Diabetic Education class lead instructor. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is daily – it is in front of the person with diabetes, each day, often several times a day. Lifelong learning about the disease process and the three approaches to managing it – meal planning, exercise, and medication – is necessary in order for each individual to achieve control of diabetes.
The program consists of three group sessions. However, individual participant goals are set at the first session. Participants then measure their progress using self-assessment and evaluation of post-education A1C. The physician referring the patient to the program receives a record of attendance and progress reports.
Interested citizens are encouraged to attend the classes and then come back through to continue the learning process. Ask your doctor for a referral to attend the class.
Sandy Helms, ARNP, is a Certified Diabetes Educator with 15 years experience as a Nurse Practitioner in a 29-year nursing career. She maintains a small practice dedicated to diabetes management at Chipola Medical Associates and serves as Executive Nursing Director at Sunland Center. Nurse Brunner characterizes
Ms. Helms as an “excellent Diabetes resource.”
Jackson Hospital, a top 100 Hospital in the nation according to Thomson Healthcare, is the only Florida hospital in its size category to receive the 2006 Performance Improvement Leaders award. Jackson Hospital’s mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare to those it serves, enhancing life in a compassionate environment. The hospital counts Jackson County and neighboring counties as its service area.
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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Anna Brunner or Sandy Helms, please call Rosie at 850/718-2696 or email her at rsmith@jackhosp.org.
4250 Hospital Drive, Marianna, FL 32446 ● (850) 526-2200 ● www.jacksonhosp.com | |