Cohosts Brent McKune and Stephen Williams of Kentucky REC introduce Episode 9 of Kentucky REC’s PILL Podcast. This episode explores the success of Diabetes Self Management and Education Support, also known as DSMES. This episode includes an interview between registered dietician Lynnett Renner and patient Samuel Stidham. Dr. Kristen Stakelin of UK HealthCare shares insights on making DSMES a success with your patients.

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) can help you learn to manage your diabetes as part of your daily life. DSMES is proven to:
• Improve blood sugar control leading to decreased risk for diabetes complications
• Increase self-confidence about taking care of your diabetes
• Increase healthy eating and physical activity
• Improve quality of life
 

Dr. Kristen Stakelin is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director at the University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center.

She attended the University of Louisville, School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Kentucky. After residency she was in private practice with an Internal Medicine group in Georgetown, KY. There she also served as medical director of a diabetes education center. She returned to the University of Kentucky Internal Medicine Group in 2007, and then joined the division of Endocrinology in 2010. She completed the University of KY Healthcare Executive Leadership and Management Program in 2018. Dr. Stakelin is certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine, a longstanding member of the ADA, and is a Master’s Licensed Diabetes Educator and a certified diabetes care and education specialist. Her areas of interest include diabetes education, and diabetes technology as well as ambulatory operations and quality improvement.

Lynnett Renner is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Diabetes Educator with over 30 years of experience.

She works with the Laurel County Health Department to implement the Healthy Living With Diabetes Program (HLWD). HLWD is a nationally accredited program that is administered by the Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

Samuel Stidham

Samuel was referred to HLWD by his primary care health provider from a Grace Health clinic located in Manchester, KY. Samuel was originally referred to the Kentucky River Health Department District HLWD Program. He was the connected to the Laurel County Health Department for HLWD that was offered by telehealth in the evening hours to better fit his schedule. Samuel shared that he had been struggling with his diabetes diagnosis for 10 years, and decided that he wanted to receive more diabetes education. His goal was to not only improve his health and feel better, but also to ensure that he could prevent complications often associated with diabetes.

Listen to our podcast on Buzzsprout, or Spotify and Apple Podcasts. All previous episodes are available.

If you need assistance with chronic disease quality improvement, contact the Kentucky REC at 859-323-3090 or by email.