Brookfield, MO — The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) has announced the recognition of the Pershing Diabetic Center at Pershing Health System through its Education Recognition Program (ERP), recognizing the Center’s commitment to providing high-quality diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) to patients in Brookfield and surrounding communities.
The ADA’s ERP certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. The corresponding intervention provided is evidence-based and outcome driven. Services apply for recognition voluntarily, and ADA-ERP recognition lasts for four years.
Led by Brenda Haley, RN, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), the Pershing Diabetic Center provides personalized education and ongoing support to help individuals better understand and manage diabetes while improving their overall health.
“DSMES is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it,” said Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA’s vice president of health programs. “We applaud Pershing Diabetic Center for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes, and patient experience.”
Diabetes self-management education and support can benefit individuals who are newly diagnosed as well as those who have been living with diabetes for years. Education is personalized to each patient and can address areas such as understanding blood glucose levels, medications, healthy eating, physical activity, reducing health risks and developing practical strategies for managing diabetes as part of everyday life.
“The program teaches those with diabetes to understand their diagnosis, develop self-management skills, and make lifestyle changes to optimize health outcomes,” Haley said.
The goal is to give patients the knowledge, tools and confidence they need to take an active role in their health. Depending on each participant’s insurance requirements, education may be offered in a one-on-one or group setting.
For Haley, helping people understand and manage diabetes has been a focus of her nursing career for more than two decades. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience and has provided diabetes education since 2002. She earned her Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist credential in 2022 and has also worked closely with an endocrinologist in a clinic setting for many years.
Haley began her nursing career at Pershing Health System in 1995, where she worked for six years before joining Hedrick Medical Center for 21 years. Most recently, she worked with Hometown Pharmacy in Chillicothe. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of nursing settings, including Med-Surg, ICU, Surgery and Specialty Clinics.
Bringing recognized diabetes education services to Pershing Health System gives area residents an opportunity to receive specialized education and ongoing support closer to home.
“I am grateful to be back in the community, and I’m honored to serve patients here at home,” Haley said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Statistics Report, millions of Americans are living with diabetes, including individuals who have not yet been diagnosed. Diabetes can lead to serious health complications, making education, ongoing medical care and effective self-management important components of long-term health.
The Pershing Diabetic Center is currently accepting patients. Insurance coverage and referral requirements may vary.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact:
Pershing Diabetic Center
Brenda Haley, RN, CDCES
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
660-258-1233
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by diabetes through research, advocacy, education and support. Through its Education Recognition Program, the ADA recognizes diabetes self-management education and support services that meet the National Standards for DSMES.
