Riverwood Diabetes team members, from left, Melissa Simons, Natalie Braden & Breann Goedken
The Riverwood Healthcare Center diabetes self-management education program in Aitkin, Minn., has been awarded continued Recognition status from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Riverwood’s program was originally recognized by the ADA in 2005.
The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures that approved education services have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Services. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide high quality care and information about diabetes management for participants.
Riverwood’s Diabetes Education team consists of Breann Goedken, RN, diabetes care and education nurse; Megan Perpich and Melissa Simons, registered dietitians; and Natalie Braden, education assistant.
“Daily self-management skills are absolutely essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes and prevent or delay serious complications of diabetes,” said Lind Cann, MSEd, the ADA’s senior vice president of professional services. “We applaud Riverwood’s Diabetes Education program for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes.”
Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. With the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the person with diabetes can assume a major part of the responsibility for his or her diabetes management.
“This designation recognizes the excellence of care provided to patients with diabetes who receive care from our Diabetes Education team at Riverwood,” said Dan Schletty, director of Ambulatory Services. “With a medical provider’s referral, those with diabetes are offered individual or group education sessions to successfully manage this chronic disease.”
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the United States. The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
For more information on Riverwood’s diabetes education program or services, call (218) 927-8182. See tips on living with diabetes at www.diabetes.org