NHSC Scholar Helps Patients Manage Diabetes

Dana Green, a certified physician assistant (PA-C) and National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholar, arrived in the remote rural community of Van Buren, Maine, and launched a personal crusade to educate underserved populations and their caregivers about diabetes. Four years and many success stories later, Green is now recognized nationally and locally as a leading researcher on the standards of diabetes care.

Green assumed the position of local project director of the National Diabetes Learning Collaborative shortly after his arrival at St. John Valley Health Center. His first priority was to improve the standard of diabetes care in his own community. He then went on to share his experience with others at national and international workshops and conferences.

Nearly 5 percent of Van Buren's population of 1,700 have type 2 diabetes. To address this issue, Green instituted a community diabetes education and outreach program, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." The program included speaking one-on-one with individuals and community groups, publishing a regular newsletter, and providing free educational workshops.

The success of this program can be measured by the fact that all registered people with diabetes in Van Buren have participated in key program components—100 percent completed all laboratory studies and office visits, 87 percent attended diabetes education classes, 80 percent received eye exams, and 70 percent brought their 90-120 day blood glucose levels to within normal range.

These experiences and ideas formed the basis of a workshop that Green now delivers nationwide to clinicians and clinicians-in-training. With the commitment and talent of clinician-researcher community whirlwinds like Green, the knowledge and practical methods for preventing and treating diabetes continue to grow, and access to diabetes services for those in underserved areas is growing with it.

Learn about other NHSC success stories.