Diabetes is a common disease affects over 10% of the United States.  It occurs when the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes has not been found, although doctors and researchers agree that genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

 

Are you are risk?  Take the test

 

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Baystate Health provides cutting edge clinical services  including an Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship program and conducts state-of-the-art clinical research in a wide variety of disorders related to diabetes and related hormonal imbalances. Each patient is approached from an individual perspective with the goal of creating a plan that meets their individual needs.

 

Clinical areas include:

diabetes	thyroid disease
osteoporosis	adrenal disorders
pituitary disease	lipid/cholesterol abnormalities

 

Baystate Health offers some of the best resources for diabetes care not only in Western Massachusetts but in the USA.

 

The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism also offers an Adult Weight Management Program.

 

HOSPITALS

• The Baystate Medical Center Division of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism in Springfield was cited for its excellence by US News & World Report when it named BMC one of the 100 Best Hospitals.  The Diabetes Self Management Education Program at BMC was the first in Western Massachusetts to be accredited by the American Diabetes Association. There are three sites at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield:
  • 3300 Main Street, the main office for education
  • Programs at High Street Health Center, Adult Medicine
  • Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center

Members of the diabetes educators group 

Back row (L. to R.): Janet Foss, RN, CDE , Celeste Rosselli, RN, LD, CDE, Maryann O. Hayes, MS, RD, CDE, LDN

Front row (L. to R.): Barbara Bellucci, RN, CDE, Maria Consedine, RN, CDE and Karen Zapka, RN, CDE

 

 

The programs, coordinated by Janet Foss, Certified Diabetes Educator, are designed to assist patients with individual instruction to gain independence and confidence to self-manage their diabetes.

 

Appointments can be arranged by calling 413-794-2222, Monday-Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

    

In addition, training in the use of an insulin pump is available at the main site. 

    

• Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield  has two board-certified physicians on its medical staff who have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The nurse-managed outpatient diabetes education program offers a team approach to helping diabetics and their families. The program, coordinated by Judy Kuzdeba, RN, BSN, CDE (certified diabetes educator), is designed to assist patients with individual instruction to gain independence and confidence to self-manage their diabetes. Appointments are arranged by calling , 413-773-2233, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

 

• The Baystate Children's Hospital diabetes program includes:
  • Guidance and teaching about all aspects of home and school management of diabetes in childhood.
  • 24-hour beeper coverage.
  • Diabetes support groups for children and their parents.
  • A monthly outreach site in Pittsfield, MA.