by Jared Rutecki

Although only in existence since 2003, the Appalachian Rural Health Institute’s (ARHI) Diabetes/Endocrine Center was honored as the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Rural Health Provider award by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The award is given to a provider which “delivers outstanding care to a largely rural population, is involved and dedicated to the broader rural community and who has made a lasting contribution to the rural health care system.” The award was given Sept. 6 at a ceremony held at the Quest Business Center in Columbus.

“The center provides care and education for diabetes patients and their families, and leads diabetes research efforts in the region,” says Heather Reed, director of the state office of rural health at ODH. “During three short years of operation, the center has established clinical care for the residents of Appalachian Ohio with a center in Athens and a satellite clinic in Coolville.” The Diabetes/Endocrine Center was established to provide diabetes clinical care and education and pursue research to find better treatments for diabetes and diabetic complications and, ultimately, a cure for diabetes. It also is a training center for physicians and medical, nursing and dietetic students.

“It was a tremendous honor to receive this award, which was a result of the excellent work of the center’s staff,” says Frank Schwartz, M.D., the center’s director. “Diabetes is a growing problem in the country, and we will continue providing outstanding care and expanding our services throughout the region.”

Reed named several exemplary accomplishments of the center representing the forefront of its fight against diabetes throughout the counties of Appalachian Ohio, 11 of which are likely to have as high as two to three times the national incidence of diabetes. Among these achievements were the creation of the Diabetes Fellowship program, which trains primary care physicians in specialized diabetes care; creation of the Diabetes Educator’s Coalition, which brings together area health-care providers and educators to discuss clinical and practical issues surrounding diabetes care; and the creation of the Community Diabetes Resource.

“We were very happy to be recognized with the Ohio Rural Health Provider award,” says Jay Shubrook, D.O. (’96), director of the center’s Diabetes Fellowship program.

“We take our commitment to serving the people of Southeastern Ohio very seriously. Being recognized by the state for meeting that goal is great for us. What makes us unique is the collaboration with the diabetes educators across Southeast Ohio. We are really tied into the educators in the region.”

“Our outreach efforts are not only effective; they’re being recognized by others as top of the line,” says Jack Brose, D.O., dean of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM). OU-COM and Ohio University’s College of Health and Human Services founded ARHI.