Shady Grove Adventist Hospital plans to launch a diabetes management program in early spring 2011, hospital officials said this month.

The program will be certified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and is designed to meet the needs of the growing number of people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 is the most common form of the disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin that allows the body to use glucose for energy.

"One in 10 people have diabetes," said Judy Lichy, regional director of health and wellness at Adventist HealthCare. "It's projected that by 2050 the number will be one in three. It truly is an epidemic."

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes education is vital to successful self-management of the disease. Programs such as the one at Shady Grove are designed to walk participants through everything from what to eat to what steps to take to safeguard the health of their heart.

The Shady Grove program will be taught by diabetes educators and will comprise three, three-hour sessions once-a-week for three consecutive weeks.

"Our first go-round is part of the certification process," said Lichy.  "Nurses and dieticians will lead those sessions. We'd like to bring in a podiatrist and a vascular specialist. [Ultimately] we'd like to have as many different areas represented as possible."

The cost of the course will be about $600 per individual, although participants can bring along one other person at no charge. Tuition includes an individual consultation with both a dietician and a nurse educator at the outset and at the conclusion of the program.

Scholarships will be available to help cover the cost, as well as some other expenses.

"One of the most exciting moments for me," said Lichy, "was when Eagle Bank gave our program $49,000 to pay for scholarships for people who don't have insurance to pay for the program. The money is also available to pay for diabetes medications and testing supplies for those who cannot afford them."

Lichy's interest in diabetes and diabetes education is personal.

"I have an aunt who passed away from diabetes," she said. "For her it was a lifestyle issue.  It really made an impression on me." 

The diabetes management program will teach participants that diabetes is manageable, Lichy said.

"We're giving people the tools they need to choose to have a healthier lifestyle," she said. "If we are passionate enough about it can be infectious for them to do the same."

Registration for the program has not yet opened. For more information call 1-800-542-5096.