Cary Medical Program Earns National Recognition

Cary Medical Center has been awarded ‘Preliminary Recognition’ for the hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

The recognition was awarded by the Department of Health Human Services, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The award is reserved for programs that are effectively delivering a quality, evidence-based program and have proven to be advanced toward CDC Full Recognition.

The diabetes prevention program is part of the Siruno Stroke Prevention Program. The Siruno Stroke Prevention program was established in memory of the late Dr. Cesar Siruno, a long time general surgeon at Cary Medical Center.

The recognition will now allow Cary to enroll in Medicare as a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) supplier.  Enrollment in Medicare as a MDPP supplier is required before an organization can bill Medicare for in-person DPP services provided to eligible beneficiaries. Cary's Director of Community Relations and Development, Bill Flagg, says it will now be possible for individuals covered by Medicare to take the Diabetes Prevention Program at no cost to themselves because the cost of the program is covered by Medicare.

Nancy Holmquist, coordinator of the Siruno Stroke Prevention program, pointed out that avoiding diabetes helps to reduce your risk for stroke. "There are many risk factors for stroke. Smoking, High Blood Pressure, and Obesity.  People with diabetes have a 1.5 times higher risk for stroke than people who don’t have diabetes."

Cary Medical Center is planning to offer the Diabetes Prevention Program in the fall.  Class size is limited to 10 participants.  There are criteria for qualifying to take the program.  To learn more or to register for an upcoming introductory session, please contact the community relations office at Cary Medical Center 498-1376 or visit carymedicalcenter.org/Siruno Stroke Prevention.