News Release

February 5, 2008

Contact: Christopher DeFrancesco, 860-679-3914
e-mail: cdefrancesco@uchc.edu

New Diabetes Support Group at UConn Health Center

FARMINGTON, CONN. – People with diabetes need to pay particular attention to many factors that affect their health. There’s a lot to consider, including healthy eating, monitoring blood sugars, taking medications, and exercising. But with the right tools and support, diabetes can be manageable.

Individuals with diabetes can offer each other support at the UConn Health Center’s Diabetes Support Group. “You can’t take a vacation from diabetes so we want to provide the tools to assist people with managing their diabetes on a daily basis” says Jean Kostak, M.S., R.D., CD-N, C.D.E., a diabetes educator at the UConn Health Center Diabetes Education Program. Led by a diabetes health psychology intern, this group allows participants to share their experiences with diabetes, learn from others, and interactively discuss how they live with diabetes. Family members and caregivers are welcome.

The support group meets the second Thursday of every month from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Dowling South Medical Building, 1st floor training room.

Registration is not required. The support group is free and open to the public. For more information, call 860-679-7692 or 800-535-6232.

The UConn Health Center offers several diabetes education programs, including the “Diabetes Self-Management,” “Meal Planning and Carbohydrates,” and “New to Diabetes Care” workshops.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital, a Solucient Top 100 Hospital® 2006. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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