The Sconi

Aspirus Upper Peninsula Hospitals have received recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for their quality diabetes management education programs. Three hospitals, Aspirus Iron River, Aspirus Ironwood, and Aspirus Keweenaw, were awarded the ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate.

This certificate signifies that the educational services at these hospitals comply with the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). These services are evidence-based and focus on results. The ADA recognition lasts for four years and is sought voluntarily by healthcare providers.

Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA’s vice president of health programs, emphasized the importance of DSMES, stating, “DSMES is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it. We applaud Aspirus Health for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes, and patient experience.”

The prevalence of diabetes in the U.S. remains a significant health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 38 million people, representing 11.6% of the population, have diabetes. Of these, 29.7 million have been diagnosed, while 8.7 million remain unaware of their condition. On average, 3,300 Americans are diagnosed daily, often discovering their condition during treatment for serious complications such as heart disease or stroke. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S., contributing to nearly 400,000 deaths in 2021. The ADA's 2022 report on the Economic Costs of Diabetes indicates that the disease remains one of the most expensive chronic health conditions, with costs totaling approximately $412.9 billion.

Beth Cook, RDN, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Aspirus Keweenaw, highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards of care in rural areas. “It is essential that in a rural area, we are able to maintain high standards of care which assures our patients we are providing high quality, comprehensive care with up-to-date clinical resources,” she shared. Cook also noted advancements in diabetes care, including improvements in monitoring and medication management, expressing enthusiasm for offering these options at Aspirus Health.

The ADA remains a leading non-profit organization promoting diabetes research, advocacy, and information, providing resources to health professionals, patients, and the public. Additional information about diabetes care, including Aspirus’ Diabetes Education Center, is available at aspirus.org/diabetes-care.