Holy Cross Health Diabetes Education Service Merits ADA Recognition

The American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate has been awarded to Holy Cross Health for its quality diabetes self-management education and support service.

The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support and have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

Holy Cross Health’s robust diabetes education and prevention program supports a journey to improve overall health and well-being. A Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, or CDCES, (formerly known as a Certified Diabetes Educator, or CDE) assists participants in learning how to properly self-manage their diabetes. The Holy Cross Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support program provides training and support on the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist’s (ADCES) 7-Self Care Behaviors: healthy eating, being active, taking medications, monitoring, reducing risks, problem solving and healthy coping. The program includes individual one-on-one session and group education. Holy Cross Health also offers free monthly diabetes support groups led by certified diabetes care and education specialists that is open to family members, caregivers, community members and those who are newly diagnosed or having been living with diabetes as well as free online cooking segments designed to provide support to those striving to live a healthier life.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition. Teaching the community about the risks associated with diabetes and the importance of a healthy lifestyle including good nutrition, portion controlled meals and consistent physical activity and movement, is essential for diabetes management and can prevent some of the unnecessary complications diabetes can cause,” said Kristen Schroeder-Brown, RN, CHES, CDCES program manager for the Diabetes Education Program at Holy Cross Health. “Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. The numbers are staggering because 7.3 million people in the U.S. are not aware they have diabetes.”

According to the CDC’s 2020 National Diabetes Statistic Report, there are 34.2 million people or 10.5% of the population in the U.S. who have diabetes. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2018.

For more information on the diabetes program and services at Holy Cross Health, please call (954) 319-4254.