Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group

Southcoast Diabetes Education Program receives national recognition

For Immediate Release Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan

November 2, 2006 508-961-5270

brennanj@southcoast.org

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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to Southcoast Hospitals' Diabetes Management Program.

The ADA's education recognition certificate assures that diabetes educational programs across the country meet national standards for diabetes self-management programs. Programs apply for recognition voluntarily. According to the ADA, programs that achieve this prestigious recognition have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

"The ADA recognition status gives professionals a national standard to measure quality of services and assures our patients that they are receiving the latest and most comprehensive care available," said Geraldine Santos, RN, Team Leader and Diabetes Nurse Specialist for the Southcoast Diabetes Management Program. Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years.

Southcoast Hospitals Group's Diabetes Management Program offers diabetes self-management education for Types 1 and 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes Management Classes are offered at all three hospitals sites on the following topics: Basics of Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Glucose Monitoring, Lifestyle Changes, Medication Management, Nutrition, Survival Skills and Weight Management.

For more information, visit www.southcoast.org or call the Southcoast Diabetes Management program in your area:

Charlton Memorial Hospital

New Bedford
St. Luke's Hospital
508-994-4415

Wareham
Tobey Hospital
508-273-4173

About Southcoast

Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.

Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.

Media Contact

Joyce Faria Brennan
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org