CHL program to focus on taking control of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes

As part of the Healthy Boiler Program’s physical health pillar, the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus offers a 14–week diabetes program multiple times throughout the year.

Taking Control of My Diabetes (TCMD) is open to all benefits-eligible employees (and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan) from West Lafayette, Purdue Northwest and Purdue Fort Wayne. The program is geared toward those living with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes or those supporting someone with a diagnosis. The next session begins Aug. 9.   

The 14-week virtual lifestyle management program covers a variety of topics related to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes with a goal of equipping participants with the knowledge and resources needed to manage the disease as best as they can. Through the program participants will understand what diabetes is and how lifestyle changes are part of managing blood glucose. 

A pre- and post-program evaluation to measure knowledge and beliefs as well as satisfaction with the program are required.

Participants have access to the center’s health care professionals, including CHL pharmacists who are specially trained in medication therapy management, as well as the program’s co-leaders: Cheryl Laszynski, RN health coach at the CHL, and Megan Shidler, registered dietitian at the CHL.

Eligible participants will receive a glucose meter and test strips to check their blood glucose levels. Program participants can continue to receive glucose testing supplies post-program if they continue to meet with a health coach on a monthly basis.

Many past TCMD participants have seen improvement in their A1c (a blood test that measures a patient’s blood glucose level over the past three months) and more.

Bruce Novak, a limited term lecturer at Purdue Fort Wayne who has lived with type 2 diabetes for over 10 years, shared that his experience with the course was exceptional and he benefited from the increased and reinforced knowledge he gained. 

“Diabetes does not go on vacation,” he said. “The more you learn and apply, the better off you are. Diabetes is a constant battle.”

The upcoming session runs Aug. 9 to Nov. 8. Those interested in participating should register by Aug. 2 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. A registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s home page. Hover over the “Taking Control of My Diabetes” square and hit “Submit” to register. 

“I would highly recommend this class to any diabetic or someone who has been diagnosed as prediabetic,” said Leigh Ann Griffin, senior quality advisor of the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering. She has lived with type 2 diabetes for approximately 20 years and previously participated in the TCMD program.  

“I decided that I could benefit from a refresher course of ‘how to act like a diabetic’ by eating and cooking healthy and could use all the assistance I could get with motivating me to exercise. And I didn’t even have a working blood glucose meter anymore, and this class was giving us one for free! So, I signed up. Knowledge is power, and this class provides you with much-needed knowledge to properly manage your diabetes.” 

Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle programs are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and their dependents.

Individuals living with type 1 diabetes are able to meet monthly with a health coach but are not required to participate in the 14-week TCMD program to take advantage of the test strips and blood glucose meter opportunity. Contact the CHL at 765-494-0111 for more information. 

Questions 

Questions about the TCMD wellness program should be directed to the CHL at 765-494-0111.