Watson Clinic’s diabetes education program is designed to provide patients with the management skills and emotional support they need to live their life to the fullest in the face of diabetes. Led by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) and expert dietitians, the program offers both group and individual sessions devoted to a variety of common concerns related to the treatment and management of diabetes, including management basics, personalized planning, blood sugar and continuous glucose monitoring, weight management, medication injection training, stress management counseling, and insulin pump support.
“We understand the complexities of living with diabetes,” says Lynda Chaffin, RN, CDCES, diabetes educator at Watson Clinic. “Our primary goal is to empower our patients to take control of the disease instead of allowing it to control them.”
The success of the program is the result of a close collaboration between Watson Clinic’s diabetic educators and registered dietitians. “The registered dietitians also provide medical nutrition therapy for a variety of conditions – from digestive disorders to cardiovascular issues or other chronic diseases to weight loss,” says Watson Clinic dietitian Nancy Ulm, RD, CDCES. Medical nutrition therapy is available for both adults and pediatric patients at Watson Clinic.
Watson Clinic’s diabetes education program was recently honored with a four-year Education Recognition Certificate from the American Diabetes Association, a reflection of our commitment to providing the highest quality educational resources for the self-management of diabetes.
“This four-year certification renewal from the American Diabetes Association is testament to the quality of the program here at Watson Clinic.” says clinical director Heather Gordon, BSN, MPH. “Our entire team is comprised of consummate professionals, and they provide outstanding patient care to our diabetic patients.”
For the convenience of our patients, individual education is available at Watson Clinic’s Main, Lakeland Highlands, Bartow and Plant City locations. Group classes are also made available at the Main clinic and our South location.
The diabetes education program is open to Watson Clinic patients who have received a referral from their physician. The services are covered by Medicare and most insurance providers.
For more information on the program, call 863-680-7490.
The Team
Clinical Director: Heather Gordon, BSN, MPH
Diabetes Educators: Lynda Chaffin, RN, CDCES; Kathleen MacNeill, MSN, RN, CDCES; Gloria Willey, RN, CDCES
Registered Dietitians: Nancy Ulm RD, CDCES; Rita Langdale, MS, RD