Photo at right: GRMC HealthReach team members James Vigil, Tami Bates, Trish Heck and Mayra Hopkins.The diabetes education program at Gila Regional has been officially recognized as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The ADA is the official accrediting body for diabetes education. This certification identifies GRMC’s Diabetes Education Program as a high-quality program for diabetes self-management; provides national recognition and publicity; and channels referrals from local ADA offices.
GRMC is now one of only three recognized programs in southern New Mexico. There are 18 other ADA-recognized programs in the state. “We are very excited about this recognition,” says Tami Bates, RN and Certified Diabetes Educator, “It has taken a lot of departmental effort and team work. This has been a goal for five years and it has now been achieved.” Ms. Bates has been involved in diabetes education for 6 years. “I got involved because of my desire to share health education with patients and help them learn skills for avoiding diabetes complications. It has always been my dream to have ADA recognition for the Diabetes Education at Gila Regional. It has been a long journey but now we can move forward with the support of the largest and most widely known organization in the field of diabetes.
