Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems’ Merrihue Diabetes Education Center has achieved the significant milestone of accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES).
Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in the Southwestern Virginia area.
Caitlin Davis, MS, RD, said, “In 2020 it was estimated that 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and approximately 1 in 3 have prediabetes. In our local area, we have seen this to be true. That is why we decided to start the Merrihue Diabetes Education Center. We want to be a resource for our community by providing education and services to help those dealing with diabetes. We hope to improve our patients’ health and decrease prevalence of diabetes-related complications.”
Merrihue Diabetes Education Center located at 13168 Meadowview Square, Meadowview, VA 24361 will be offering diabetes education sessions at Meadowview Community Health Center on-site or virtually from the comfort of your own home. One-on-one sessions are available for the following:
- Introduction to Diabetes and Prediabetes
- Diabetes Problem solving
- Being Active
- Taking Medication
- Checking your blood glucose
A Registered Dietitian is also available to help with:
- Counseling to help manage disease states and their complications (such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and obesity)
- Health and nutrition-related goal setting
- Nutrition education based on your individual needs
Diabetes education services utilize a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care to help them reach their health goals. Diabetes education is a covered Medicare benefit when delivered through an accredited program.
“Evidence shows diabetes education and support is helping people with diabetes to lower their A1c’s and obtain the knowledge and skills to better self-manage their condition,” said Sacha Uelmen, Director of Accreditation at ADCES. “That is why we need programs like Merrihue Diabetes Education Center to make these services available in their community.”
ADCES is a National Accredited Organization (NAO) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Accredited programs must meet the 2017 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support; 10 standards that are revised every 5 years by a group of diabetes educators representing both ADCES and the American Diabetes Association and approved by CMS. Programs must maintain compliance with the Standards during the 4-year accreditation cycle.
About ADCES:
ADCES, formerly known as the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving diabetes care through innovative education, management and support. With more than 14,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, and others, ADCES has a vast network of practitioners working with people who have, are affected by or are at risk for diabetes. Learn more at www.diabeteseducator.org, or visit us on Facebook (Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists), Twitter (@ADCESdiabetes) and Instagram (@ADCESdiabetes).