Woodworth Community Health Center in Central Louisiana is currently administering lifestyle coaching for patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes.  Johannah Holden spearheads the program and Health Coach Kami Holden assists her with operating the program and reports to the American Diabetes Association. March 26th marked the midway point for the second cohort of patients completing these services. Three cohorts are required prior to Access Health Louisiana receiving our certification from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This month’s topic was “Stress Management to avoid Overeating.” The next topic is “Eating Healthy Away from Home”.

After their class, patients created motivation boards that they were able to take home, as well as a calendar with suggested physical activities and healthy recipes. Patients are happy with the program and appreciated the conversational format of the group session to learn and ask questions, as well as the accountability that it offers to allow the patients to set goals and be measured. One patient stated: “I’ve already reached my goals, but I keep coming because I know that I can’t just quit because I reached my goal.  I need to make this a lifestyle change.  And make this a routine. And it’s fun. I like coming.”

For patients living in Central Louisiana, call our Woodworth Community Health Center for more information on joining our next diabetes education cohort, call (318) 484-9588.

For patients living in other parishes we serve, contact your local Access Health Louisiana community clinic and find out how you can see a health coach or take part in our chronic care management program.