In response to a growing need in the community, Kettering Health Network is expanding its services for people with diabetes. Since 2004, Joslin, the world’s largest institution dedicated exclusively to diabetes, and Kettering Health Network have partnered at Southview Joslin Diabetes Center. Affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Joslin is a global leader in diabetes treatment, research, and education. Kettering Health Network plans to expand the partnership by opening the Diabetes Care Centers at additional locations.
Locations will include: Beavercreek Health Center (Beavercreek) opening November 1, 2014, Fort Hamilton Hospital (Hamilton), and Southview Medical Center (Centerville) with multiple patient education sites throughout the network.
In addition to opening diabetes care centers, the network is launching a new Primary Care Provider Certification Program to enhance diabetes-specific training for physicians and their staff in order to help patients effectively manage their condition.
“Diabetes is on the rise nationwide, and the incidence rates in our region are startling,” says Melody Johnson, network director of Outpatient Diabetes Services. “In Montgomery County 13.14% of the people have diabetes, compared to the national average of 8.13%.”
These statistics illustrate a need, greater than ever for Kettering Health Network to provide diabetes care and educational services for the community. According to Bev Knapp, vice president of Health Reform Strategies, “Joslin provides us with an exciting expansion opportunity to take a national best practice model and combine it with an amazing, dedicated, and highly educated team of care providers to truly deliver on the Kettering Health Network mission of improving the lives for the communities in which we serve.”
The diabetes care centers will offer clinical care, nutrition counseling, diabetes self-management classes, and a support group. In most cases, the first step is for patients to undergo a thorough assessment by a certified diabetes educator, who can help determine what services will be most beneficial.
Melody Johnson indicates, “As we align Kettering Health Network to incorporate the sweeping changes in healthcare delivery, we strive to find new and improved ways to integrate the diabetes program while maintaining the excellent quality of care that our patients have come to expect at Joslin Diabetes Center.” She continues, “Diabetes is a growing epidemic and requires strong program leadership to develop and maneuver the ever changing healthcare landscape. We look forward to building the diabetes care centers with the dedicated champions within Kettering Health Network.”