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    Published on April 22, 2024

    Owensboro Health Offers New Diabetes Education Programs

    Patient checking glucose

    Owensboro Health Healthpark is offering two new programs to help combat diabetes in the community.

    The first program, the Prediabetes Education and Exercise Program (PEEP), is a 12-week diabetes prevention class designed and led by Healthpark Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists. The program is designed to help participants reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes by changing their eating habits, maximizing sleep and reducing stress. Participants will also get 30 minutes of exercise during each class.

    “More than 1/3 of American adults have prediabetes and are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The good news is that lifestyle change can reverse prediabetes and reduce a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the other associated health risks,” Shelby Shelby, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, said. “Our PEEP class is designed to teach participants what they can do to prevent diabetes, and we incorporate exercise into every class to break down barriers to being more active.”

    Classes for PEEP start June 6 at 4:30 p.m. To learn more about the program and for information on cost, call 270-688-4804 or email DiabetesEducation@OwensboroHealth.org. Financial assistance options are available for qualified participants.

    In addition to PEEP, Owensboro Health Healthpark has launched a Juvenile Diabetes Support Group. This support group caters specifically to parents and caregivers of children with diabetes. It provides a welcoming and supportive environment where parents and caregivers can connect, share experiences, offer encouragement, and gather valuable resources. The group aims to foster a sense of community and empowerment among those navigating the challenges of caring for a child with diabetes. The inaugural meeting of the Juvenile Diabetes Support Group will be held on Monday, April 22, from 5-6 p.m. at the Healthpark in Classroom A. This initial meeting serves to gauge interest and determine the optimal meeting time for the group.

    “Children with Type 1 diabetes often feel isolated,” Melissa Gaither, registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, said. “The daily demands of managing Type 1 diabetes are difficult to understand for those who do not have it. This support group’s goal is to provide a place where children with Type 1 diabetes and their parents can meet each other and help each other with management challenges.”

    Interested individuals can register for the meeting or seek further information by calling 270-688-4858 or emailing Jenny.Young@OwensboroHealth.org.

    These two new programs at Owensboro Health Healthpark demonstrate the organization's commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community. By offering targeted support and comprehensive education, Owensboro Health Healthpark empowers individuals and families affected by diabetes to take control of their health and live healthier lives.

    About Owensboro Health

    Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

    On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.