Scottsbluff, NE – The American Diabetes Association Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to the Diabetes Care Center at Regional West Physicians Clinic. The award means that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes that the Diabetes Care Center at Regional West Physicians Clinic has met specific standards in their delivery of high-quality education throughout diabetes treatment..

“Our group works hard to provide the best diabetes care for daily management, emergency management and complication prevention,” said Lisa Scheppers, MD, Regional West Diabetes Care Center Medical Director. “Ongoing education is key for diabetics to adjust to a healthy life style. The ADA certification shows our center’s commitment to meeting national standards for diabetes self management.”

The program has two locations; one in Scottsbluff and one in Alliance. The ADA first awarded recognition certificates for quality diabetes self-management education programs in 2003 to Scottsbluff and 2005 to Alliance. Each site is staffed with registered nurses and dietitians who are certified diabetes educators.

The Scottsbluff staff includes:
·Patty Brisco, APRN, CDE
·Susan Maxcy, RN, CDE, Program Coordinator
·Mary Skiles, RD, LMNT, CDE
·Marcia Bauer, RD, LMNT, CDE

The Alliance staff includes:
·Sue Steele, RN, CDE
·Kristin Kesterson, RD, LMNT, CDE

According to the ADA, 7 percent of the population in the United States has diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, it is estimated that approximately 6.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease. Each day, approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have the disease when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease and amputation.

For more information, go to www. Diabetes.org or call the Regional West Physicians Clinic Diabetes Care Center at 308-630-2100.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.