HobNobMurfreesboro Announces Middle Tennessee Medical Center Creates Scholarship Program for Diabetes Education Classes

Murfreesboro, TN, July 24, 2009 --(PR.com)-- HobNobMurfreesboro has recently partnered up with the Middle Tennessee Medical Center which is set to launch in October of 2010. This partnership is designed to help promote the awareness of the medical community and its advances in Murfreesboro, TN.

Middle Tennessee Medical Center has established a $250,000 scholarship fund for individuals seeking financial assistance for diabetes education classes. Education classes have been shown to improve diabetes related health issues.

“Diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires knowledge and behavior changes,” said Mary Gaines, Diabetes Program Director for MTMC and Baptist Hospital in Nashville. “Diabetes education classes assist patients with lifestyle changes that lead to better health. The scholarship fund assures that a patient with financial barriers can receive diabetes education.”

MTMC will award 425 scholarships to applicants who meet certain criteria including a diabetes or pre-diabetes diagnosis, the lack of financial resources for classes and a desire to improve their health through diabetes education. The classes cover nutrition, exercise, weight loss, acute and chronic complication, medication management and stress management. Individual appointments are also available for those who have language barriers or need one-on-one instruction.

“It is our hope that this program will serve as a model for other hospitals in order for all patients, particularly those who are uninsured, to receive the diabetes support and education that can improve their quality of life and even extend their lives. We are committed to improving the health of the community one person at a time,” said Gaines.

Providing education is important given that diabetes is at epidemic proportions in the United States affecting nearly 24 million people. By 2010 it is estimated that one in every 10 Americans will have diabetes. Tennessee is ranked fifth in the nation for diabetes. One-fourth of all patients admitted to MTMC have either a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes.

Ask your physician for a referral for diabetes education or contact the center by calling 895-9475 for more information. Diabetes support groups are also available on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Hastings Conference Center, 2nd Floor of Bell Street Building at 503 East Bell Street.

Saint Thomas Health Services is a faith-based ministry with more than 6,000 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health Services’ regional health system consists of four hospitals – Baptist and Saint Thomas in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville – and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures in diagnostics, cardiac services and ambulatory surgery as well as medical practices, the Center for Spinal Surgery, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. STHS is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.sths.com.

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