NORWELL VNA RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION Recognition certificate for Diabetic Self-Management Education Program November 7, 2007 (NORWELL, MA) - Norwell Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is pleased to announce it received an Education Recognition Certificate from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for its Diabetic Self-Management Education Program. This recognition signifies quality educational programming that meets the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education established by the ADA. This recognition qualifies the Norwell VNA Diabetic Self-Management Education Program for Medicare reimbursement. Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. By adhering to the National Standards for diabetes education, the Norwell VNA offers consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes. The goal of the program is to teach the participant self-skills and the knowledge to allow for better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. Education covers many aspects of diabetes, including the disease process, physical activity, medications, complications and other topics necessary for participants to be their own best advocates for managing their care. In order to receive this recognition, the program must be prepared and managed by a certified diabetes educator and a registered dietitian. The Norwell VNA recognized the need for this high-quality education program and is pleased to offer it to residents of the South Shore. "The Norwell VNA serves many patients diagnosed with diabetes or related complications," said Lori Mahoney, Certified Diabetes Educator with the Norwell VNA. "There is an increasing need for education about diabetes. Now that our program will receive Medicare reimbursement our services will be more readily accessible to a broader range of people." Mahoney, the primary educator for the program, also runs a monthly Diabetes Support Group open to residents in the South Shore. The Education Recognition Certificate will allow Mahoney to take the Diabetic Self-Management Education Program, the monthly support group and other forms of diabetes education to a new level for members of the South Shore community.