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.
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News for
the week of Oct 9 – Oct 14
