American Association of Diabetes Educators puts approval on local efforts
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s Diabetes Education recently received accreditation from the American Association of Diabetes Educators to add to previous certification by the State of Michigan.
Chronic Disease Manager Katie Daman, R.N., said the accreditation means Kalkaska area residents can be confident that the hospital’s program and classes are providing them with appropriate and practical information to help those manage their disease in their day-to-day lives.
“Our patients really do appreciate the information we are able to provide that can help them modify behaviors, eat well, and also maintain a healthy active lifestyle,” she said. “This accreditation informs them that the information and ideas we offer really are best practices to help them achieve their health goals.”
The hospital currently provides area residents a two-part self-management course held at the hospital, a monthly diabetes support group, and a once a month clinic where patients can see a physician specifically about their diabetes. This fall, the hospital also plans to launch a Diabetes Prevention Program for the community.
The American Association of Diabetes Educators Program Director Leslie E. Kolb, R.N., commended the hospital’s efforts to reach out to the community with diabetes education.
“Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Diabetes Education program is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up our accreditation program in 2009,” she said.
For more information, call the Diabetes Department at 231-258-3091.