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Diabetes Management That Works – At Work

Diabetes Management That Works – At Work

On 19 Aug 2015, in

BarnesCare is proud to introduce a Diabetes Education Program designed to help individuals with diabetes manage the disease and maintain their livelihood.

The program will be led by Jennifer A. Markee, LMSW, CDE. Markee is a Certified Diabetes Educator and medical social worker with over 16 years of experience in diabetes education. She has developed and implemented education services in pediatric and adult medical practices as well as nonprofit and community organizations. Markee is well-versed in the lifestyle components of diabetes self-management and its technological advances such as insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring systems. 

Markee says that many patients, especially those with type II diabetes or pre-diabetes who make up the vast majority of the current diabetes “epidemic,” need more than just traditional diabetes care. These patients benefit greatly from lifestyle and behavior changes, she says, and the best time to reach them is during the workday.

Markee will see patients at either their worksite or at BarnesCare, rather than a hospital or doctor’s office. “Diabetes self-management doesn’t just happen in the hours at home and off work,” she says. “To be successful, individuals must learn how to incorporate the healthiest lifestyle and eating habits into all aspects of daily life.”

This approach can also benefit employers, who end up spending millions to pay for workers suffering from diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that diabetes costs about $176 billion in direct medical expenses. “And that doesn’t cover indirect costs like absenteeism and disability,” says Markee.

For example, the Department of Transportation (DOT) certification requires some commercial drivers to submit A1c lab tests, which indicate how well a person is controlling their disease. In some cases, the DOT limits or denies certification to drivers whose diabetes isn’t controlled. Thorough education coupled with an understanding of how to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lives can help people maintain their livelihood, says Markee.

“Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the chance of heart, kidney nerve and eye damage,” says Tom Kibby, MD, MPH, BarnesCare chief medical officer. “By providing diabetes education through BarnesCare, we can help individuals gain a greater understanding of the disease and empower them with specific regimens that lead to lowered risk and improved health.”

“It’s only through true knowledge and understanding of diabetes that people find a successful route to control,” Markee says. “I enjoy helping others achieve those successes. It’s my way of making a difference in the world.”

For more information on BarnesCare’s diabetes program, call 314-747-1934.

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