"Lighting Your Way to a Healthier Life."

Diabetes affects 25.8 million people or 8.3% of the U.S. population. There are 18.8 million people diagnosed and 7.0 million people thought to be undiagnosed. Diabetes is the major cause of heart disease and stroke and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Because of this, West Branch Regional Medical Center has a diabetes education program that is certified by the Michigan Department of Community Health and the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Diabetes education, is defined as a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions.

Diabetes education is an interactive, ongoing process involving the person with diabetes (or the caregiver or family) and our diabetes educators. The intervention aims to achieve optimal health status, better quality of life and reduce the need for costly health care.

Our diabetes education mission focuses on seven self-care behaviors that are essential for improved health status and greater quality of life.

• Healthy eating
  
• Being active
  
• Monitoring
  
• Taking medication
  
• Problem solving
  
• Healthy coping
  
• Reducing risks

INSURANCE:

• Covered service by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as some private insurance.
  
• Grants available for under or uninsured persons.

DIABETES EDUCATORS:
		Linda Thompson has a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Madonna University. She has been a Registered Nurse for the John Tolfree Health Systems for 13 years. She has worked both on the Surgical floor at the medical center and as a case manager registered nurse for Heartland Hospice. Linda brings an extensive history in cardiac care and management of diabetes patients with cardiac history to our program.
Contact Us:
		Linda Thompson, RN 989-343-3276

Diabetes Education Support Group Meetings: