No Sugar-Coating Diabetes Epidemic: Announcing New Diabetes Innovation Center

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - March 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Diabetes kills 2,700 Illinoisans each year. Helping our community stay healthy is a primary mission for Mason District Hospital, and with epidemic levels of adult diabetes and increasing teen onset of the disease, we see a critical need to educate, support and provide our patients with the tools needed to successfully manage or avoid diabetes. Our new Diabetes Innovation Center is a resource program of Mason District Hospital that focuses on helping patients live better with diabetes.

“Many myths about diabetes prevail, and left untreated it can cause severe and life-threatening complications including heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and even amputation. As we see more and more adults and children developing diabetes, we want to offer ways to help patients with pre-diabetic conditions stay ahead of the disease, and those with diabetes learn to manage it for a healthier life”, explains Harry Wolin, Administrator and CEO of Mason District Hospital.

Mason District’s Diabetes Educator, Sherie Turner, P.A.-C., will explain how newly diagnosed patients and those with unmanaged diabetes can make healthier decisions as they begin to cope with their disease. Coordinating with other departments, patients will learn what foods are best to eat, how to develop a menu plan, how to ‘decode’ food labels, and even how minimal exercise changes can all add up to big benefits for a better quality of life as people learn to live with diabetes.

This comprehensive program is customized for each individual’s needs, and consultations with our Diabetes Educator are available by appointment from a referring family physician.  If you or someone you know would like more details, please contact us at 309-543-8465.

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Mason District Hospital is a rural critical access hospital serving Mason and southern Fulton Counties since 1957. The hospital includes full service emergency room, physician clinics in Havana and Mason City, specialty clinics, high-tech diagnostics, and rehabilitation services.