September 26, 2023 – The ARH Hazard Family Health Services is now offering a diabetes self-management education program with appointments available with Ashley Webb, RN, LDE, ARH System Diabetes Education Coordinator. The program focuses on anyone with a diabetes diagnoses, patients who receive insulin or other diabetic medication as a part of their treatment plan, pregnant women, and those who have trouble controlling their blood sugar and A1C.

The program received accreditation with the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists in Paintsville in 2016 with services being expanded to the Hazard locations just recently. The program allows Webb to see up to five patients each day, allotting time for the patient to receive diabetic education and a full range of services that is tailored for the patient.

The patient and diabetes educator will work together to develop a plan that helps them overcome the barriers they face in managing their diabetes, develop problem-solving and coping skills, and adopt healthy behaviors. Most insurances cover ten hours of diabetes education in the first year of the patient’s initial referral and two hours in subsequent years.

“Access to care and education is key to living a healthy life with diabetes. Expanding our nationally accredited diabetes education program across Appalachia is a way to let our communities know they are not alone in their diabetes journey. I want to provide a sense of hope, relief, and empowerment for everyone living with diabetes,” says Webb.

Diabetes care opportunities do not end at the close of the appointment. ARH also offers a free monthly diabetes support group meeting at the local public library. As part of an integrated approach to diabetes management, attending a diabetes support group is a proactive way for those living with diabetes to find information, encouragement, and peer support.

Webb adds, “I want to ensure patients have the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully manage their diabetes. ARH is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes through high-quality, comprehensive care and education through its’ nationally accredited diabetes education program at every step of their diabetes journey, from diagnosis through ongoing management.”

The goal of the program and for the patients that come through the diabetes education program is to empower them to successfully manage their diabetes while working to prevent or delay complications that can come from uncontrolled glucose. The program does this by tracking the patient’s A1C, weight, and blood pressure readings while they are attending diabetes education. 71% of ARH diabetes education participants lowered their A1C in 2022 and the program seeks to meet and grow that number.

“Diabetes education is my true passion. I enjoy being able to empower people to better manage their diagnosis. I work with each patient to put all the puzzle pieces together—healthy food choices, controlling their blood sugars, helping them become confident in managing a disease that may initially be very overwhelming to them.” says Webb.

Patients and providers may contact Webb for an appointment or for more information on the program at ewebb2@arh.org, visit www.arh.org/diabetes, or by calling 606-439-1316.