Pen Bay Diabetes and Nutrition Program Recognized by ADA for the Fifth Time

The Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center of Pen Bay Medical Center has been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association. The program was originally recognized in 1999. This program offers high-quality education services to the patients it serves.

The ADA Education Recognition effort is a voluntary process which assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for participants.

Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. The participant in an ADA Recognized program will be taught, as needed, self-care skills that will promote better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. All approved education programs cover the following topics as needed: diabetes disease process, nutrition management; physical activity; medications; monitoring; preventing, detecting and treating acute complications; problem solving; psychological adjustment; and preconception care, management during pregnancy, and gestational management.

Assuring high-quality self-care education for the patient is one of the primary goals of the Education Recognition Program. Through the support of the healthcare team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his/her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admission and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.

The Pen Bay program is housed at Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice offices at 170 Pleasant Street in Rockland. Pen Bay Healthcare personnel at the Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center are Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators Eileen Molloy, MS, RD,LD, CDE and Marcia Kyle, RD, LD, CDE and Registered Nurses Brenda Berry, RN and Donna Dugal, RN.

For more information about diabetes management, contact the Pen Bay Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center at 390-4790.