Catholic Health Good Samaritan University Hospital Opens New Diabetes Education Center in Bay Shore

Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital (West Islip, NY) announced the opening of its new, outpatient Diabetes Education Center at 15 Park Avenue in Bay Shore. The new space will provide education for patients to better manage their diabetes. This will lead to a reduced risk of health complications. With more than 37.3 million people diagnosed with this disease, equaling 11.3% of the United States Population, management of diabetes is more important than ever.
 
“By properly managing diabetes, patients are able to avoid the onset of other conditions that could be detrimental to living a healthy life,” said Good Samaritan University Hospital President Ruth E. Hennessey. “This new center addresses a major need for diabetes education on the south shore of Suffolk County.” 
 
Diabetes Self-management Education Services are essential tools and support needed for those suffering with diabetes to improve their health behaviors and outcomes. Catholic Health offers robust health education for diabetes management due to evidence that demonstrates positive outcomes. A person is in need of Diabetes Self-management Education Services:

• During diagnosis to provide information and ensure nutritional, physical and emotional support is in place
• Annually, and/or when not meeting treatment targets, which may indicate limited prior education or ineffective treatment.
• When complicating factors develop, such as a change in health status, physical limitations, well-being or living conditions.
• When transitions in life and care happen, such as a new living situation, discharge from inpatient care or different health plan. 

A free monthly support group is also available and provides emotional support, continuing education and the exchange of helpful hints, such as meal planning, exercise, blood glucose monitoring and more. The peer support group is led by a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) and provides holistic education for patients living with diabetes, as well as their family members. The group is held the third Wednesday of each month from 1 pm to 2 pm.
 
“It is not necessarily diabetes that is an issue, but instead unmanaged diabetes that can cause further health complications,” said Catholic Health Assistant Vice President of Diabetes Education Lucille Hughes, DNP, MSN/Ed. CDCES, BC-ADM, FADCES. “Properly managing diabetes can lead to reduced emergency room visits, hospital admissions, as well as reduced hypoglycemia and a lower A1C.”  
 
This announcement is yet another example of how Catholic Health continues to make investments in its health system to transform its facilities into state of the art centers for healing. Good Samaritan is currently underway on the construction of its new 500 million, 300,000-square-foot patient care pavilion, designed to set the new standard for inpatient care on Long Island’s south shore. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the facility will feature a 75-bay emergency department, 16 high-tech replacement operating rooms and three floors of private patient rooms, as well as larger and enhanced clinical areas. In addition, the facility was verified as the only Level I Adult Trauma Center on the south shore of Long Island and nationally ranked by US News and World Report as a Best Hospital for obstetrics and gynecology services.
 
Learn more about the Diabetes Education Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital. Call 855-908-8989 for more information.