Mercy Health – St. Vincent Diabetes Education earns recognition from the American Diabetes Association

The Mercy Health – St. Vincent Diabetes Education program is a self-management education and support service that was originally recognized in 1994.  
The ADA’s Education Recognition Program certificate assures that educational services meet the national standards for diabetes self-management education and support. The corresponding intervention provided is evidence-based and outcome driven. Services apply for recognition voluntarily and the ADA Education Recognition Program recognition lasts for four years.

“Mercy Health is incredibly proud of our Diabetes Education team, which has once again been recognized with a certification from the American Diabetes Association. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our team, who are committed to providing exceptional care and support to our patients,” said Jeff Dempsey, president, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center.

“The diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is essential part of managing diabetes and is as affective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it,” added id Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA’s vice president of health programs. “We applaud Mercy Health – St. Vincent Diabetes Education for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes, and patient experience.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Diabetes Fact Sheet, there are over 38 million people, or 11.6%, of the U.S. population who have diabetes. While an estimated 29.7 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately 8.7 million people are not aware they have this disease. 

Each day, nearly 3,300 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications—heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, or amputation. 

Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.—in 2021, it contributed to 399,401 deaths. The ADA’s Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022 report confirms diabetes continues to be one of the nation’s most expensive chronic health care conditions with an estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes of $412.9 billion. 

“Diabetes is a growing challenge, impacting an increasing number of people in our community, and this certification underscores our hospital’s ongoing commitment to addressing this pressing health issue,” said Jeannie Wagner, MS,RDN,LD,CDCES,BC-ADM, clinical coordinator, Diabetes Education Services “Through education, prevention, and personalized care, we are empowering individuals to manage their condition effectively and improve their quality of life. This achievement reflects our unwavering dedication to supporting our patients every step of the way in their journey toward better health."