Program focused on taking control of Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes offered in the new year

As part of the Healthy Boiler Program’s physical health pillar, the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue's West Lafayette campus offers a 14-week diabetes program multiple times throughout the year.

Taking Control of My Diabetes (TCMD) is open to benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan. The program is geared toward those living with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes or those supporting someone with a diagnosis. The next session begins Jan. 18.  

The virtual lifestyle management program covers a variety of topics related to Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes with a goal of equipping participants with the knowledge and resources needed to manage the disease as best as they can. As a result of the program, participants will understand what diabetes is and how lifestyle changes are part of managing blood glucose.

A pre- and post-program evaluation to measure knowledge and beliefs, as well as satisfaction with the program, are required.

Participants have access to expert services of the center’s health care professionals, including CHL pharmacists who are specially trained in medication therapy management, as well as the two facilitators of the upcoming session:

• Cheryl Laszynski, RN health coach
• Megan Shidler, registered dietitian

Eligible participants will receive a glucose meter and test strips to check their blood glucose levels. Program participants can continue to receive glucose testing supplies post-program if they continue to meet with a health coach on a monthly basis.

Many past participants in the program have seen improvement in their A1c (blood test that measures a patient’s blood glucose level over the past three months) and more.

“I would highly recommend this class to any diabetic or someone who has been diagnosed as prediabetic,” says Leigh Ann Griffin, senior quality advisor for Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, who has lived with Type 2 diabetes for approximately 20 years and previously participated in the TCMD program. “I decided that I could benefit from a refresher course of ‘how to act like a diabetic’ by eating and cooking healthy and could use all the assistance I could get with motivating me to exercise. And I didn’t even have a working blood glucose meter anymore, and this class was giving us one for free! So, I signed up. Knowledge is power, and this class provides you with much needed knowledge to properly manage your diabetes.”

Those interested should register by Jan. 12 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s home page. Hover over the workshop’s square (shown below), and hit “Submit” to register.

Individuals living with Type 1 diabetes are able to meet monthly with a health coach but are not required to participate in the 14-week “Taking Control of My Diabetes” program to take advantage of the test strips and blood glucose meter opportunity. Contact the CHL at 765-494-0111 for more information. 

Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle programs are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan.