CHPPR Partners with Columbus Community Hospital to Provide a National Diabetes Prevention Program to Rural Community
Published: July 5, 2023
CHPPR has partnered with the Columbus Community Hospital and Wellness Center, an acute care medical and surgical facility in Columbus, Texas, to establish a National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). Columbus Community Hospital adds the NDPP lifestyle change program to an array of services they offer to their rural community through their Wellness Center.
This collaboration between CHPPR and Columbus Community Hospital and Wellness Center is particularly significant for the rural community of Columbus, Texas, as it establishes them as the sole provider of the NDPP in the area. This exclusive offering fills a crucial gap in healthcare services for individuals at risk of diabetes, ensuring that residents in rural Texas have access to vital preventive measures and lifestyle change programs to combat this prevalent condition.
“The most rewarding part of becoming a Trained Lifestyle Coach was learning the impact Type II Diabetes has on our community and sharing this important message with our community to help prevent Type II Diabetes by developing a healthier lifestyle,” said Dawn Schultz, Wellness Center Tech at Columbus Community Hospital and Trained Lifestyle Coach. “Our team of Trained Lifestyle Coaches genuinely cares about our participants’ progress and success and enjoys providing a safe, supportive environment to motivate participants in the program.”
As part of the CDC’s NDPP, Columbus Community Hospital offers a lifestyle change program that helps patients make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent Type II Diabetes. Trained Lifestyle Coaches meet regularly with program participants, patients who have been identified as prediabetic, to provide resources, support, and strategies for practicing healthy behaviors including exercise, healthy eating, and stress management. The program lasts for one year, allowing participants enough time to see results from their lifestyle changes and to build a support system with other participants to help them sustain those changes.
“Implementing this program is such a gift to our participants and staff,” said Denise Moncrief, Wellness Center Manager Tech at Columbus Community Hospital and Trained Lifestyle Coach. “It helps patients understand that this is a lifestyle change and does not happen overnight or in a couple of months. The program also empowers our staff with resources to make an impact on the health and wellness of the community. A community of this small size is very fortunate to have such a program.”
At just over a month into the new program, Columbus Community Hospital’s Lifestyle Coaches have already seen results among participants. Participants have given positive feedback and indicated that the program has motivated them to make healthier choices in diet and exercise. Coaches have also observed participants using the Columbus Wellness Center Gym on a daily basis and some participants have already begun losing weight.
“In my role as a Quality Improvement Consultant with UTHealth Houston, I’ve witnessed some dynamic, interactive group support and learning activities to change behavior in a community of people at risk for diabetes,” said Tracy Swoboda. “It’s so gratifying to see this Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program facilitated as a community solution, built with robust care coordination, and interfaced by clinical and community partners devoted to improving public health outcomes.”
The Columbus Community Hospital partnership is part of CHPPR’s “Improving the Health of Americans through Prevention and Management of Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke” project, funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The project team works with Health Centers throughout the state to implement or provide referrals to the National DPP.