State Grant Helps Diabetes Patients at St. John’s Mercy Hospital

St. John’s Mercy Hospital , with the assistance of a grant worth over a million dollars from the Missouri Foundation for Health, is helping hundreds of people learn how to manage life with diabetes. 

“Our grant could not have been awarded at a more opportune time,” said Barb Till, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. “Many people have not only lost their jobs, but many have lost their health insurance, too. Assistance from this grant focuses on individuals who are underinsured and uninsured, so it has been a blessing in the midst of our current economic situation.”

Till added that more people are being diagnosed with the disease and increasing rates in Missouri are staggering.

“At a local level, Franklin County has an 8 percent rate of diabetes, compared with 7.7 percent for Missouri,” she said.

The grant benefits “Take Control,” the diabetes self-management program at St. John’s Mercy Hospital, and its participants. Take Control has been a Recognized Education program by the ADA since 2001. The team of educators at the Nutrition and Diabetes Wellness Center, which includes dietitians, nurses and social workers, teach people how to manage their disease so they can live longer, healthier lives.

The grant, through Take Control, has provided individuals with educational tools, testing supplies, medications and aids for increasing activity and managing stress. Some grant dollars were used to create a diabetes information packet that is distributed, at no cost, to those who need it. The packet contains valuable information about pre-diabetes, diabetes and guidelines on how to manage diabetes effectively.

Grant money is distributed annually for three years. During the first year, the grant provided medical assistance to more then 650 people. Now in its second year, the services offered have expanded into stress management and, with the support of Four Rivers Area Family YMCA in Washington, increased activity. 

For more information, or to receive the free Diabetes Information Packet, call the Nutrition and Diabetes Wellness Center at 636-239-8384. Packets can be mailed by request.

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