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Delta Diabetes Management Center holds open house
Cleveland
facility will greatly benefit the region
by
Victoria Locke
DBJ Contributing Writer
On
November 11, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Delta Diabetes
Management Center held an open house sponsored by Bolivar
Medical Center and the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber
of Commerce. The event was well attended by individuals
from the community who were invited to come and learn more
about this important service for Delta patients suffering
from diabetes. Guests were given an opportunity to tour
the facilities, and were treated to free health screens,
refreshments and door prizes.
According to Barbara Levingston, Director of Marketing for
Bolivar Medical Center, the staff and administration of
the hospital, as well as the Delta Diabetes Management Center
and all of its partners, were very pleased with the turnout
from the community.
“The number of people who came out to the open house,
not only to support us, but to learn more about the Center,
was very encouraging and gratifying,” says Levingston.
“The more people learn about the potential risks of
diabetes and the high incidence of the disease here in our
area, the more they want to know what they can do about
it for themselves and their loved ones,” she adds.
Delta Diabetes Management Center is funded by a grant from
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through
the Delta Health Alliance. The program is a provided by
a partnership of University Medical Center, Delta State
University, and Bolivar Medical Center. The Center’s
offices are located at 905 East Sunflower Road in Cleveland,
adjacent to the hospital. The research arm of the project
is linked to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts,
which is affiliated with the Harvard School of Medicine
and is one of the nation’s leading diabetes research
centers.
Nancy Cummins, Clinical Director of the Delta Diabetes Management
Center, explains that the primary purpose of the program
is to impact the effects of diabetes on the state of health
in the Delta, through intense education and research.
“Mississippi has a higher rate of diabetes than any
other state in the nation,” says Cummins. “In
the Mississippi Delta the percentage of people with diabetes
is as high as one out of every five individuals. These statistics
are staggering when you consider that diabetes affects almost
every part of the body, including the heart, nervous system,
cardiovascular systems, kidneys and eyes,” notes Cummins.
“Through this intensive education and health management
program, we hope to improve the quality of life of diabetic
patients and decrease hospital stays resulting from health
complications caused by the disease,” Cummins adds.
All diabetic patients, both newly diagnosed and those who
have had the disease for some time are eligible to participate
in the program. Patients may be referred by their primary
caregiver for the services at Delta Diabetes Management
Center (DDMC). The primary role of the staff of DDMC, is
to educate the patients on how to take a proactive role
in their own health.
Since Delta Diabetes Management Center opened on June 2nd
of this year, the number of participants has increased significantly,
with a total of 178 patients admitted. The number of initial
assessments, management visits, and education sessions also
shows the growing utilization of the program, with 92 visits
in June, 164 in July, 198 in August, 192 in September and
254 in October. According to Cummins, the program’s
initial goal had been 200 visits per month. As the program
grows, the Center will expand its services to accommodate
any patients who are interested in enrolling.
“We follow patients closely and show them how their
own choices can directly affect their condition,”
says Cummins. “We want them to understand that by
making better choices in diet, exercise, and lifestyle,
they can not only improve the quality of their lives, but
actually lengthen their lives by preventing or lessening
the long-term effects diabetes will have on their bodies
if left unchecked.”
The Medical Director of the Delta Diabetes Management Center
is Steven Clark, M.D., Internal Medicine and Bonita Cross,
CFNP, serves as the Center’s staff Nurse Practitioner.
Representing University Medical Center are Dr. Marshall
Bouldin, M.D. and Kelly Land, CFNP.
Other services provided at DDMC, in collaboration with Bolivar
Medical Center’s staff include: medication counseling
provided by a doctorate level pharmacist; social services
by a member of the social services staff; nutrition counseling
by a Certified Diabetic Educator and dietitian; and health
monitoring by Family Nurse Practitioners.
The Delta Diabetes Management Center is open from 8:00-4:30,
Monday through Friday. Diabetic patients wishing to participate
in the program should contact their primary care physicians
for referral. For more information one may call 662-846-2908.
DBJ
