ADA Recognizes Children’s Hospital of Richmond’s Diabetes Education Program

By Malorie Burkett

The diabetes self-management education program at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) has been awarded the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for offering high-quality education services to its patients and families.

CHoR’s Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is the only pediatric ADA-recognized program in Central Virginia.

The ADA recognition effort is a voluntary process that assures that approved education programs have met the national standards for diabetes self-management education programs.

“Our team is dedicated to treating the whole patient and family—from diagnosis to on-going diabetes education and support groups,” said Gary Francis, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. Education recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.

Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the education recognition program. Through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for diabetes management and even prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and chronic complications of diabetes.

In addition, Children’s Hospital of Richmond recently opened its new Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, which brings together clinical and specialized support services for children with diabetes, obesity and other endocrine disorders.

Offering the most comprehensive pediatric endocrine program in Central Virginia, the new facility is the region’s only endocrinology center to offer treatment, clinical trials, education, medical nutrition therapy and psychological support in one location.

For more information, visit www.vcuchildrens.org/endo or call 804-828-7035.