Hall of Honor Recognizes Inspiring Individuals With
Diabetes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2011
Contact: Rob
Brogna
508-793-5394
774-317-0422
robert.brogna@umassmemorial.org
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/umassmemorial
WORCESTER - A diabetes diagnosis can be a debilitating blow.
The burden of having to regularly monitor one's glucose levels and pay special
attention to diet and exercise can leave many people overwhelmed. For some, the
example of public figures with diabetes who have thrived and succeeded despite
the disease, can have a positive effect and provide comfort, support and
inspiration.
The UMass
Memorial Health Care Diabetes Center of Excellence is doing its part to
remind patients that living with diabetes need not limit their potential. The
diabetes clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center's Ambulatory Care Center
displays a Diabetes Hall of Honor with
a photo gallery and inspirational quotes from notable public figures who have
the disease, including such notable figures as musicians B.B. King and Crystal
Bowersox, athletes like NBA great Dominique Wilkins and Olympic Champion Gary
Hall, Supreme Court Justice Sotomayer, actress Mary Tyler Moor, and many
others.
Beginning this month, patients with diabetes from the region are sharing that
spotlight, too. Outstanding adult and pediatric patients are recognized as
Honorees of the Month for their accomplishments and progress in controlling
their diabetes, and are also featured in the Center's Hall of Honor. Doctors,
nurses and other providers nominate individuals who they feel deserve this
honor. A team of providers then votes on the nominations received. The goal of
the program is to demonstrate to all patients that others just like them have
successfully managed their diabetes.
"Managing your diabetes is hard work," said David
Harlan, MD, co-director of the UMass Memorial Health Care Diabetes Center of
Excellence and William and Doris Krupp professor of medicine at University of
Massachusetts Medical School. "Finding inspiration from others who have gone
through the same challenges and yet who have maintained a positive outlook can
be helpful. We are proud to also present for all to appreciate and admire that
our own patients exemplify character, perseverance and leadership
qualities."
The first group of UMass Memorial patient inductees to the Diabetes Hall of
Honor are:
Blanche Gregoire, 70, North Oxford
Liz Bradley, 14,
Shrewsbury
Dan Polnerow, 17, Boylston
# # #
About UMass Memorial Health Care
UMass Memorial Health
Care is Central Massachusetts' largest not-for-profit health care delivery
system, covering the complete health care continuum with UMass Memorial Medical
Center, its academic medical center, member and affiliated community hospitals,
freestanding primary care practices, ambulatory outpatient clinics, home health
agencies, hospice programs, a rehabilitation group and mental health services.
UMass Memorial is the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts
Medical School. To learn more about UMass Memorial, please visit www.umassmemorial.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About the Diabetes Center of Excellence
The UMass
Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence brings together the region's finest
providers from a number of specialties and sites, advanced technology, and the
latest research breakthroughs to deliver comprehensive quality care to our adult
and pediatric patients with diabetes, whether type 1, type 2, or
gestational.
Combining the expertise of our primary care physicians, our member and
affiliated community hospitals, and our teaching and research partner, the
University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Diabetes Center of Excellence
takes an approach to care that emphasizes balance for our patients living with
diabetes, offering seamless access to specialists focused on heart and vascular,
eye, foot and weight loss care, as well as education and nutrition counseling,
so our patients can achieve their health goals.