Baptist Medical Center Downtown Diabetes Education Program Merits ADA Recognition

Jacksonville, Florida, February 13, 2007 -- The Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Baptist Medical Center Downtown has been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association. The program was originally recognized in October 2000. This program offers high-quality education services to the patients it serves.

The ADA Education Recognition effort is a voluntary process which assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs that achieve "Recognition" status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide the latest information about diabetes management for participants.

Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the ADA's Education Recognition program. Through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his/her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.

"The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of the services they provide," says Yvonne McCormick, RD, CDE, team leader for Diabetes & Nutrition at Baptist Downtown. "And, of course, it helps consumers to identify these quality programs."

For more information, contact the Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Baptist Downtown at 202.2140.