The Diabetes Control Program team. (Photo courtesy of Hilo Medical Center)

MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo Medical Center’s Diabetes in Control Program (DICP) is registering participants for its nine-week course that focuses on managing diabetes by improving nutrition, exercise and personal health habits.

“With the epidemic of diabetes in East Hawaii, this program is an enormous benefit to HMC’s Hawaii Island Family Health Center and our community,” says Howard N. Ainsley, CEO of the East Hawaii Region of HHSC. “HMC is grateful for the Hilo Medical Center Foundation’s underwriting of this program through the generous support of the County of Hawaii Shippers’ Wharf Committee Trust.”

The upcoming classes start on Wednesday, May 23, and participants are asked to commit to attending the entire nine-week session.

DICP will host two sessions — 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Wednesdays at the hospital located at 1190 Waianuenue Avenue.

Pre-registration is required and those enrolled are encouraged to bring a relative, friend, or caregiver with them.

This program, accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators, covers: monitoring your health with diabetes, nutrition, exercise, emotional coping with the disease, and more. Licensed, experienced instructors will lead participants through goal setting, coping skills, and behaviors for success.

“With only 1 percent of Americans with diabetes having access to educational programs to learn how to better manage their disease, Hilo Medical Center’s program is a true community resource,” said the program’s coordinator, HMC’s Certified Diabetes Educator Becky Stubbs. “This program has empowered participants to live well and without complications by keeping blood sugar in control.”

For further information, contact Stubbs by email at HMCDICP@hhsc.org, or by calling 932-3122.

— Find out more:
www.hmc.hhsc.org