HCHC Receives $125,000 Grant for Diabetes Clinic
Hillsdale, Mich.– Hillsdale Community Health Center (HCHC) is excited to announce a grant in the amount of $125,000 from the Weatherwax Foundation to build a Diabetes Network and Patient Care Clinic. The network of key health care providers, human service agencies and community stakeholders was formed back in 2011 and has spent a considerable amount of time in coordination and planning of this clinic. This continued planning focuses on both the strategic and operational collaborations that will allow for the greatest amount of primary care for our indigent diabetic population. These collaborations are already producing new insight into areas of concern that could not be tackled by any one of the partners alone. The planning includes a commitment to work together for the first time to look at the challenges facing our diabetic population including medication challenges, healthy living and mental health issues. The grant is awarded for a two year cycle and will end December 2015.
The clinic is designed to meet the needs of diabetes patients throughout Hillsdale County. Michigan ranks 15th highest in the nation for diabetes prevalence, which has increased 15% over the past 5 years. Over 9% of Michigan adults are estimated to have diabetes but are currently undiagnosed. It is estimated that Michigan can save $545 million across all chronic disease by investing $10 in preventative care per person per year. Diabetes education results in 50% more people seeking recommended clinical exams and performing recommended self-care activities. In Hillsdale County the percentage of Type 2 diabetes patients by Alc level Range for our regional area ≤7.0% 64.6 % versus a national average of 58.1% according to the 2009 data. Percentage of type 2 diabetes patients by age 18-35 regionally is 4.1% versus a national average of 3.1%, 36-64 years old 53.9% versus 47.2 % nationally according to the 2009 data.
Assuring the future of the network includes focusing on dental care, podiatrist care, optic care, and renal care as we expand our resources. We will be working with the educational sector, both in K-12 and 0-5 settings, to create a proactive focus on diabetes prevention and continuous care for the youth and their caregivers in the county. We will be utilizing a PATH ( Personal Action Toward Health) program at the diabetes clinic sponsored by our mental health partner in the budding network. We seek tying obesity and diabetes awareness programs together in the county to create efficient and consistent education for local citizens as a proactive approach including the 10/10 plan from the mental health community, developing a food pantry awareness program that would educate providers on foods that supports diabetic diets and lifestyle classes.
Emily Lambright, Registered Nurse & Certified Diabetes Educator will be serving as the Clinic Director. The clinic opening will be announced at a later date with scheduled hours at our Hillsdale location. Until the official opening, Director Lambright will be working with the network members to establish meetings, presentations and counseling services working closely with Denise Lovinger, HCHC Nutritional Services Manager, and key hospital staff members.
