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A different kind of graduation ceremony was recently held at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

Participants in HSC Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program completed the four-week group session portion of the program aimed at providing comprehensive diabetes support to HSC Health patients. The graduates were surrounded by the educators who have supported them through the last month.

This program was developed in 2019 and was accredited by the American Diabetes Association in 2021. The interprofessional team providing education to patients consists of a pharmacist, physical therapists, a physician, a dietician, a nurse practitioner and a social worker, representing different colleges and programs within HSC.

For patients like Pat Stevens, the program offers accountability and a new perspective to refresh information related to diabetes.

“The presenters were excellent on all of the topics we covered,” Stevens said. “I learned a lot about medication options with detailed information about the pros and cons of the latest options available.”

“I would leave classes so encouraged,” Stevens continued. “We worked to set smart goals each week that would hold me accountable until the next time we met.”

Stevens entered the program as a referral from her new provider at HSC Health’s Center for Older Adults, Dr. Brittany Love.

“I just started coming to the Center for Older Adults and I had really gotten off track in managing my diabetes,” Stevens said. “Like many people in my age group, I had felt dismissed previously, but my new provider cares for me differently and recommended this group to get me back on track.”

Each group session is led by one to three team members, and participants can attend all or a few sessions depending on their needs. At each class, patients enjoy light refreshments and receive a welcome bag at the beginning consisting of a pedometer, measuring cups, a glucose logbook, diabetic socks and a weekly pillbox.

The program is offered quarterly and consists of four weekly group sessions and two individual meetings prior to the group sessions and two months following the conclusion of the program to check in on progress.

Instructors for the program include:

• Adenike Atanda, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, CTTS – HSC College of pharmacy

• Brittany Love, DO – HSC Health Center for Older Adults; Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Myla Quiben,  PT, PhD, DPT, GCS, NCS – HSC School of Health Professions department of physical therapy

• Kristen Reuter, LCSW-S, MSSW, CDP, CADDCT – HSC Health Center for Older Adults

• Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, FNAP – HSC Health Center for Older Adults

• Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHW – SaferCare Texas

For more information about the program, contact Dr. Atanda, PharmD — a certified diabetes care and education specialist and faculty member at HSC’s College of Pharmacy.

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