FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: KAREN C. RAINEY, J.D., C.M.P.E. Executive Administrator (713) 520-4790

MEDICAL CLINIC OF HOUSTON’S DIABETES EDUCATION* PROGRAM MERITS ADA RECOGNITION

Medical Clinic of Houston’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program first earned Recognition status from the ADA in April of 2013 for a period of four years.  Upon end of the certification term, the program earned continued certification for another 4-year period from March 2017 to March 2021.

The Diabetes Self-Management Education* Program at Medical Clinic of Houston L.L.P. (“MCH”) has recently been Recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education*. Receiving this prestigious ADA Education Recognition Certificate acknowledges that the Diabetes Self-Management Education program at MCH offers high-quality education which is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

Achieving Recognition status signifies that Medical Clinic of Houston has knowledgeable health professionals who can provide Clinic patients with comprehensive information about diabetes management. “The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” comments Martin White, M.D., Managing Partner of Medical Clinic of Houston.   “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.” Programs apply for Education Recognition voluntarily; the status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and is awarded for four years.

The Diabetes Self-Management Training Program at Medical Clinic of Houston has been recognized by the ADA as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and aims to provide its patients and their families with tools to enhance overall health with diabetes. “Our program, which offers group and individualized education and guidance, is designed to help patients learn how to make informed choices in daily living, set and meet behavior change goals, and reduce the risk of complications from diabetes,” says Courtney McNamara Jennaro, MS, RD, CDE, LD, a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian.  As a part of this program, Clinic patients will discover the seven key self-care behaviors as recommended by the American Diabetes Association that promote successful self management: Healthy Eating, Exercise, Taking Medications, Monitoring Blood Glucose, Problem Solving, Reducing Risks, and Healthy Coping.  These Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000 and 2007.

According to the ADA, in the United States there are 25.8 million people or 8.5% of the population who have diabetes. While an estimated 18.8 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.0 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day approximately 5,205 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve disease and amputation. About 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older in 2010 in the US. Diabetes contributed to 231,404 deaths in 2007, making it the seventh leading cause of death in the US. Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of similar age people without diabetes.

About Medical Clinic of Houston

Medical Clinic of Houston’s board-certified physicians specialize in the field of Internal Medicine. Twenty-four of MCH’s physicians focus on general internal medicine and thirteen physicians practice in various sub-specialties of Internal Medicine including Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Rheumatology, and Hospitalist Medicine.  MCH offers an extensive range of accredited diagnostic testing and ancillary services onsite, providing enhanced care and convenience for patients. For more information on Medical Clinic of Houston, visit www.mchllp.com

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.  To learn more about the ADA, visit their website at www.diabetes.org

American Diabetes Association