As part of West Shore Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to improving the health of our community, the organization is launching a new initiative to target diabetes, a prevalent chronic health condition in our area. As an extension of West Shore’s Patient Centered Medical Home model, the hospital will be providing additional access for patients by integrating diabetes education with primary care.
Lisa Morris, RD, CDE, will begin seeing patients for diabetes education at the Primary Care office on Thursday, March 5. She will be at the clinic every Thursday for one-on-one counseling with patients who are either newly diagnosed with diabetes or need help controlling it. Appointments are also available for patients who have questions or concerns about nutrition in general. A referral from a primary care provider is required.
“Diabetes is a serious health condition characterized by high levels of blood glucose (or sugar) resulting from the body’s inability to effectively produce or use insulin,” said Morris. “The condition can lead to severe complications including blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy, high blood pressure and stroke. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, these complications can be prevented or delayed.” Morris notes that about 10% of Michigan adults have been diagnosed with diabetes.
West Shore’s diabetes education program is certified by the American Diabetic Association and the Michigan Department of Community Health. Diabetes education is often covered by insurance. West Shore offers both group and individual education based on initial assessment and provides comprehensive diabetes self-management classes, annual follow up training, and medical nutrition therapy. Education is designed for all people in the community with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes or a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
For more information, contact Morris at (231) 398-1680.