Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION RESOURCES, Spokane, WA
O.C. Olson Diabetes Center

What is it?
Community Health Education Resources (CHER), a service of Inland Northwest Health Services that was formed as a collaboration between the health education resources of hospital systems Providence Health Care and Empire Health Services, provides the region with public and professional health education opportunities, often at little or no cost.

In 1997, CHER took over the management of the O.C. Olson Diabetes Center, a comprehensive diabetes education program focused on diabetes prevention and self-management. With classes and personal consultations provided by registered nurses and dietitians who are certified diabetes educators, the program provides personalized, hands-on education for those with diabetes and pre-diabetes throughout the community. Topics ranging from behavioral changes and physical activity to blood glucose monitoring and insulin management help participants feel in control of their diabetes and make positive choices for life.

Who is it for?
Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetics.

Why do they do it?
As in many communities across the country, diabetes is on the rise in Spokane and the surrounding communities throughout eastern Washington. 

Contact: Jennifer Polello
Program Manager
Telephone: 509-232-8149
Email: PolellJ@inhs.org