Billings Clinic Miles City Diabetes Education Program Receives American Diabetes Association Recognition Certificate

Billings, MT (August 1, 2008) — The prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to Billings Clinic Miles City on May 16, 2008. ADA acknowledges that this program offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment. The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.

Programs apply for Recognition voluntarily. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive, state-of-the-art information about diabetes management. The comprehensive Diabetes Education Program at Billings Clinic Miles City offers education to all populations including gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients with type 1, type 2, or pre-diabetes. Program Coordinator Kris Kilen, RD, CDE has been a Certified Diabetes Educator for 14 years and has specialized training in the management of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring sensors.

“Bringing a Diabetes Education Program to Billings Clinic Miles City has been a goal of the clinic and our providers for some time,” commented Kilen. “Achieving Education Recognition status assures our patients they will receive high quality services that are continually measured and improved as we keep up-to-date with the ever-changing health care needs for consumers.”

Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. Billings Clinic Diabetes Program, following Education Recognition requirements, uses ADA approved curriculum that is patient-centered and emphasizes interactive learning. Mary Derenburger, a patient with Type 2 Diabetes, has been a participant in Diabetes Education at Billings Clinic Miles City. “Everyone with diabetes needs education; it’s more than just quitting the sugar and taking a pill,” stated Mary. “An education program teaches you about exercise and eating the right foods so you can take care of your diabetes.”

Chris Lieb, M.D., physician director for the Diabetes Program, said “patient education is known to improve patient interest and response to their self management of diabetes. By working as a team the patient, physician, and diabetes educator can achieve improved patient health.

###