Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, Texas, recently received the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for its diabetes self-management education program. ADA awards hospitals this certificate when it believes a hospital’s program offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

This is the first time Centennial has received the distinction since its Diabetes Program was implemented in 2009. Since its inception, the Diabetes Program has expanded to include a full-suite of services for patients diagnosed with diabetes.

“Centennial wants to lower our patients’ chances of complications from uncontrolled diabetes by raising awareness about the disease,” said Jodi Moravec, Centennial’s Diabetes Program coordinator. “Our program provides the patient with extensive knowledge about the disease and advice on how to manage it.”

By earning the recognition, Centennial has proven that it employs a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

“Educating people about the disease is just one step toward managing it,” said Moravec. “The certification gives the hospital a national standard to measure the quality of services it provides. This is a great way to reassure patients that they will receive the best-quality service at Centennial."

ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years.

According to ADA, almost eight percent of the American population has diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed, a remaining 5.7 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Many learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease or amputation.

ABOUT 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.

For more information on Recognized education programs in your area or other American Diabetes Association programs, call your local ADA office or contact the ADA online at www.diabetes.org.