Hutchison, who is a registered nurse, and Caiazza, a registered dietitian, are both licensed registered diabetes educators. Together they develop the educational programs that help people with diabetes learn to manage their disease.

Changing lifestyle factors are contributing to this new generation of earlier onset Type II diabetes. “We’re raising children who are less physically active and who eat a diet higher in fats and sugars,” said Caiazza. “There is a direct correlation between childhood obesity and Type II diabetes,” she said.

Diabetes can be challenging to diagnose, because the symptoms are similar to other conditions or diseases. “It’s like a chameleon,” said Hutchison. “The symptoms are there, but they blend in with your life and you can easily rationalize them away and ignore them,” she said.

New approaches to the management of diabetes include a wide array of technological advancements, such as insulin pumps and glucometers for monitoring glucose levels. “Technology has come a long, long way in the treatment of diabetes in recent years,” said Hutchison. Also, pharmaceutical companies are continually releasing new types of insulin.

Both educators have also seen a significant shift towards self-management lately, driven by the American Diabetes Association. “It makes a lot of sense, because this is a life-long condition, and the more proactive people are with managing their diabetes, the better their quality of life will be,” said Caiazza.

Grove City Medical Center sponsors four-week diabetes education programs six times a year. Ideally, the classes are limited to eight to ten patients so that the educators can give them the attention they need and for the messages to be effective. Through their classes, they reach approximately 75 people each year. Along with the group sessions, both Hutchison and Caiazza are available for patients whose needs are better served through one-on-one individualized counseling. “Sometimes patients just need to make a minor adjustment to their diet or their insulin, and they can meet with either of us briefly for that kind of support,” said Caiazza.

Both women appreciate the opportunities their work provides for helping others. “I truly believe that teaching is a way to touch someone forever,” said Hutchison. Caiazza agreed. “Helping patients understand the disease process and self-management is extremely rewarding,” she said. “With diabetes patients, if they don’t manage it, it will manage them.”
For more information about Diabetes Management, contact 724-450-7189.