Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Offers Diabetes Prevention Program with Exercise Component

BENNINGTON, VT—May 2, 2019— People with an A1C reading that indicates that they may be headed for a diabetes diagnosis now have extra support to help them avoid the disease, which is irreversible. It’s the Diabetes Prevention Program from Vermont Blueprint for Health and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). And it’s free.

“This is a proven way to avoid the debilitating pain and complications associated with diabetes,” said Paula Haytko, RN, a certified diabetes educator who leads the class. “And it’s just a fun and interactive way to learn more about how to live a healthier, longer life.”

The next section of the year-long program begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 13. The first meeting will be held in SVMC’s Employee Cafeteria. From there the class may change location to provide guided exercise with Andrea Malinowski, RiseVT program coordinator and an ACE certified group fitness instructor.

The class is offered in cooperation with the Vermont Blueprint for Health as a part of their Healthier Living Workshop series. For a listing of all workshops visit myhealthyvt.org. In addition, it is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and includes one-on-one instruction and exercise. Participants support each other to lower their A1C and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. They learn proven ways to decrease weight and increased energy. And the same actions that prevent diabetes can prevent heart disease and stroke, as well.

“I am excited to be involved with this program and to build on its success,” Malinowski said. “I can’t wait to help the participants incorporate more movement in their lives.”

Those interested in the program are encouraged to contact Paula Haytko, RN, at 802-440-4025 or paula.haytko@svhealthcare.org or Andrea Malinowski at 802-379-5468.

About:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.