70 Dubois Street, Newburgh, NY 12550 (845) 561-4400
19 Laurel Avenue, Cornwall, NY 12518 (845) 534-7711
SLCH Program Recognized by American Diabetes Association
Newburgh, NY - The diabetes self-management program at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) has been awarded recognition by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Education recognition is presented to health care sites that meet national standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME).
“This program was designed to help those living with diabetes gain knowledge and be empowered to make decisions and take actions that will improve their health,” said Joan Cusack-McGuirk, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at SLCH. “It’s a wonderful program and it’s validating to receive the recognition from the American Diabetes Association.”
Approximately 1.9 million people 20 years of age or older are diagnosed each year with diabetes. If not properly treated and managed, diabetes can lead to a wide variety of complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, blindness and kidney and nervous system diseases, according to the ADA.
“Education related to properly managing diabetes is crucial,” Cusack-McGuirk added. “St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital hosts an extensive course one Saturday of each month for the convenience of our friends and neighbors struggling with this disease.”
The National Standards for DSME are designed to define quality diabetes self-management education and to assist diabetes educators in a variety of settings to provide evidence-based education. At SLCH, students of the DSME program complete an eight-part, comprehensive educational series designed to improve the diabetic’s health and quality of life. Topics covered include: monitoring glucose levels and exercising, oral diabetes medication and insulin, stress and its impact on blood sugars, proper diet and nutrition and ways to reduce diabetes-related problems of the skin, feet, vision and teeth.
