Newman Regional Health’s Diabetes Education Program was recently named the recipient of a major grant from a major local employer.
Tyson Fresh Foods gifted Newman a $10,000 grant that will be used to help provide diabetes patients who normally could not afford the program due to non-coverage or financial hardships with scholarships to receive the education and resources they need.
According to Newman Outpatient Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Wilma Malone, a total of 31 scholarships will be made available thanks to the Tyson grant.
Malone says due to a lack of finances or coverage many individuals often have to seek answers through non-reputable sources such as the internet which can lead to a misdiagnosis or other complications. She says thanks to the Tyson generated scholarships patients will now be able to receive the most up-to-date and scientific-based information available on diabetes.
Malone says certified educators such as herself undergo 15 hours of training and education each year.
The Newman program also offers the most up-to-date and topical information for patients suffering from a wide range of diabetic conditions. Along with providing the scholarships the Tyson grant is also helping Newman to provide targeted diabetes education sessions with Tyson, promotion for the 2020-21 diabetes health fair, quarterly diabetes support groups and continued education for diabetes educators.
