Mission: To improve the health, function, and quality of life of all
Fulton County residents at risk for, or affected by, diabetes.

May 2014 Newsletter

DCAC Offers Intro to Diabetes Educator Level 1 Training

As part of DCAC's mission to increase access to quality health care, Medical Assistant students in the Anatomy & Physiology II class at Westwood College, Northlake Campus, were invited to participate in DCAC's first Intro to Diabetes Educator Level 1 Training on April 7th. The three-hour class included a two-hour presentation by Diabetes Educator Vicki Karnes, RN, and a one-hour self-study component.

The curriculum for the class was based on the American Association of Diabetes Educators Competencies for Diabetes Educators.

Dr. Lester Mae Jackson and Westwood College students

Colleges may request a presentation for Licensed Practical Nurse or Medical Assistant students in classes at A & P Level II or higher by contacting DCAC at

740-807-1054 or at dcacfulton@gmail.com.

Allied health professionals who are interested in Diabetes Educator Level 1 Training may wish to enroll in Emory's Diabetes Education for Clinical Support Staff. This free 8-hour course is offered twice a year. Learn more...

DCAC Quarterly Meeting: April 22nd

Guest Speaker, Alexis Williams, MPH, CHES, from

the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP),

gave an update on NDEP's revised:

New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for

Living Well with Diabetes.

The Guide uses stories about African Americans with diabetes to help group leaders lead discussions about the emotional side of living with diabetes. It is designed to be used alone or along with the showing of the 30-minute film, The Debilitator. Your free copy of the Guide is available for download here.

To order a free copy of The Debilitator, written, produced, and directed by Maurice Madden of Millennium Filmworks, contact Alexis Williams at: awilliams15@cdc.gov.

NDEP frequently hosts webinars for partners, health care providers, and community organizations. To receive announcements and other news from NDEP, DCAC members are encouraged to sign up for NDEP's monthly e-newsletter, News & Notes. Subscribe here.

Living Well:

Special Vaccinations for People Living with Diabetes

Each month, we offer a resource for you to use or share with others.

Did you know that a one-time Pneumonia and the Hepatitis B series vaccinations are recommended for people living with Diabetes?

The cost of these vaccines at one local pharmacy, $90 and $105, respectively, is a barrier to many.

For the over 6,500 uninsured low-income adults living with Diabetes in Fulton County, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness has a solution.

As part of a statewide program to provide vaccinations to people living with chronic health conditions, County Health Centers provide the vaccines for a fee of $21.93. The fee is waived, however, for those uninsured, low-income Fulton County residents, who are unable to pay.

To learn why these vaccinations are important and to locate a County Health Center near you, read the DCAC handout here.

NDEP Webinar: Tuesday, May 20th

"Diabetes, Distress, and Depression:

Incorporating the Emotional Side of Diabetes Into Clinical Care".

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lawrence Fisher invites health care providers to consider the broader construct of emotional distress which takes into account the context of living with diabetes including its management, other life stresses, and other contributors that can impact emotional well-being. This approach can reduce confusion between depression and distress so that appropriate and targeted patient-centered interventions can occur.

Tuesday, May 20th, 1 pm to 2 pm. Learn more and register here.

DCAC Partner Programs:

Ruby A. Neeson Diabetes Awareness Foundation

C.U.B.S. Support Group

Dates: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Place: West End Branch Library, 525 Peoples Street, Atlanta 30310

The Support Group is free and open to the public.

Learn more...

Atlanta Medical Center - South Campus

Diabetes Academy

Free class given by Novo Nordisk Diabetes Educator

Date: Tuesday, May 20th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Place: Medical Arts Building, Ground Floor Classroom

1170 Cleveland Ave, Atlanta 30344

For more info, contact Linda Lowey, RN, MS, CDE, at 404-265-6015.

Diabetes Association of Atlanta (DAA):

18th Annual Downtown Dash for Diabetes: 5K Walk/Run

This fundraiser supports the DAA Medical Assistance Program.

Date: Saturday, June 21st, 9 am

Place: Hurt Park, 25 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30303

Metro ATL YMCA:

Better Choices. Better Health - Diabetes Workshop

Villages at Carver YMCA, 1600 Pryor Road SW, Atlanta 30312
Orientation: 5 pm to 6 pm, Monday, June 9th
Workshops for 6 weeks: 5 pm to 7:30 pm beginning Monday, June 16th

Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and their caregivers may enroll.

Contact Jennifer Rewkowski at: jenniferr@ymcaatlanta.org.

Note: Dr. Glenda Knight, DCAC Co-Chair, will be one of the two Lay Leaders.

Georgia Diabetes Coalition:

Quarterly Meeting: Wednesday, July 20th. Social Media Training.

For details on the above programs, see DCAC Calendar.

Health Happenings in the Hometown

Open Hand & Truly Living Well

Celebrating Seniors Garden Party

Includes freshly prepared lunch by local chefs.

Date: Thursday, May 22nd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Place: Wheat Street Gardens, 75 Hilliard Street, Atlanta 30312

RSVP to Tammy Reasoner at: treasoner@projectopenhand.org.

C.H.O.I.C.E.S. for Kids

Cooking Matters 6-week Class:

Part of the Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, these classes are for adults with children ages 6 to 17. Children age 8 and older may join the class.

Dates: Thursdays, June 5th to July 10th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Place: 125 Ellis Street, Atlanta 30303

Learn more...