Valley Baptist Diabetes Centers in Harlingen, Brownsville Re-Accredited; Remain Only Accredited Diabetes Centers in Cameron County

Diabetes is a major health problem in the Valley, but education services for thousands of diabetes patients are available though the Valley Baptist Diabetes Education Center, which recently received re-accreditation from the American Diabetes Association for a three-year period.

With the re-accreditation from the national organization, the diabetes centers at Valley Baptist Medical Center–Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville remain the only accredited diabetes centers in Cameron County. The Valley Baptist-Brownsville diabetes center was re-accredited in July 2004.

 Dr. Alfredo Garcia, Endocrinologist and Medical Director for the Jessie Crump Diabetes Education Center at Valley Baptist-Harlingen, urges anyone with any risk factors for diabetes to be screened regularly for abnormal blood sugar levels. “It is very important that individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes learn how to control their disease … education is the most important way of doing this,” Dr. Garcia said.

By taking diabetes seriously and controlling the disease, patients can help alleviate some of the other chronic conditions which often result from diabetes, such as heart disease, renal disease, and vision problems. Diabetes is rampant in the Valley; the disease has prematurely crippled, disabled, blinded and killed thousands of Valley residents at relatively early ages. Mexican-Americans are twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

Sylvia Garza, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Director of Outpatient Services for Valley Baptist-Harlingen, said that it is very important to have accredited diabetes centers in the Valley, since diabetes is so common among the Hispanic population.

“Accreditation from the American Diabetes Association also helps give assurance to physicians who may want to refer patients for diabetes education,” Ms. Garza said. “Because we are accredited, the physician will know that we follow the national standards set by the ADA. Accreditation is a long, lengthy process of meeting very high standards,” she added.

Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s diabetes center is located in the Outpatient Services area on the first floor of Valley Baptist’s East Tower. The Valley Baptist-Harlingen center is staffed by three Certified Diabetes Educators: Yolanda Gonzalez, RN, CDE; Luisa Acosta, RN, BSN, CDE; and Maria D. Gonzalez, RN, BSN, CDE. They are assisted by Irma Trevino, who serves as Diabetes Education Assistant / Secretary for the Diabetes Center.

At Valley Baptist-Brownsville, Leo Vasquez, RN, BSN, CDE, serves as Certified Diabetes Educator – and leads by example, being that he is a diabetic himself.

“I work to control my own diabetes … my weight and my blood sugar, while teaching our patients to do the same,” Mr. Vasquez said.

Mr. Vasquez practices what he preaches – he recently lost 90 pounds, and through diet and exercise, was able to achieve control of his high blood pressure without medication.

Basic nutrition is one component of the Jessie Crump Diabetes Center’s program, with advice on meal planning guidelines for diabetes patients provided by a registered dietitian. To encourage exercise, class participants who complete the program are awarded a six-week free membership to the Valley Baptist Wellness Center gym in Harlingen.

In addition, the diabetes educators teach Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes patients about proper self-monitoring of blood glucose, proper use of medications, using an insulin pump, and ways to prevent diabetes-related complications.

The diabetes educators also offer support groups for diabetes patients as well as community education about diabetes. For example, the diabetes educators conduct workshops for school nurses, which help the nurses to recognize possible diabetes symptoms in children and become more knowledgeable about ways they can help a child with diabetes at school.

In addition, the diabetes center conducts several community outreach programs, including the annual Diabetes Expo and Diabetes Fiesta which attract hundreds of people. These outreach efforts emphasize the importance of prevention and diabetes awareness. During the last Diabetes Expo held at Valle Vista Mall in November, the diabetes educators identified and counseled several people who are at risk for diabetes.

One patient recently diagnosed with diabetes who has benefited from the Jessie Crump Diabetes Education Center is Sergio “Tony” Chapa, age 58, of Harlingen. “Basically, I watch my diet and I try to exercise as much as I can daily by taking two or three-mile walks,” Mr. Chapa said. “My glucose level has remained stable since I started taking the medication for diabetes,” he added.

At Valley Baptist-Brownsville, classes on diabetes management are offered for all ages, including geriatric, pediatric and gestational patients, each evening, Monday through Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., with individual sessions available as needed. The Diabetes Support Group meets the last Thursday of the month in Brownsville. All services are provided in English or Spanish.

Diabetes patients can access the services of the diabetes centers by obtaining a referral from their doctor.

For more information on the diabetes program at Valley Baptist-Harlingen, please call (956) 389-1119 or toll-free 1-888-420-7411.

For information on the Valley Baptist-Brownsville diabetes program, call (956) 698-5512.