The Rush University Diabetes Center has recently been awarded the prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate. The recognition means that people with diabetes can be assured Rush is providing the highest quality education and care needed to help patients manage their diabetes.

Empowering Our Patients

The Rush University Diabetes Center educates patients on how to become fully involved in their diabetes management. Patients are taught self-care skills involving medication, blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating, physical activity, coping with stress, and preventing acute and chronic complications.

Patients who are referred to the center can participate in the education program alone and may also be seen by an endocrinologist, depending on their personal physician’s recommendation.

Services of the Rush University Diabetes Center include:

• Educational sessions to teach patients with diabetes how to become fully involved in their diabetes management

• In-depth education about proper diabetes care and how it is achieved

• Education on the latest information and theories on the therapeutic approach to diabetes. Sessions cover such topics as:
  • What is diabetes
  • Medications, including insulin teaching if needed
  • Blood glucose monitoring
  • Healthy eating for diabetes
  • Physical activity
  • HgbA1C: Do you know what yours is?
  • Preventing, detecting and treating acute and chronic complications
  • Coping with stress and the psychological adjustments to diabetes

A referral for diabetes self-management education (DSME) is needed for insurance coverage. The ADA Education Recognition Certificate allows for Medicare reimbursement.

The center’s team includes:

• A registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes

• A certified diabetes educator

• A nurse practitioner, who educates patients on the best ways to control diabetes