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Congratulations to Dr. Tseghai Berhe who has been named Patients' Choice recipient! The Patients' Choice honor is given to you as a reflection of your patients' continued appreciation and praise for the quality of care and service you provide.
At Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, families who have a child with diabetes can now choose a treatment option closer to home.
The Pediatric Endocrinology program at Presence Saint Joseph provides the newest treatments-as well as ongoing support-for children with diabetes and their families. Pediatric endocrinology focuses on the treatment of children with a range of conditions, including diabetes, thyroid problems, and metabolic disorders.
"Diabetes is more prevalent today, and unfortunately, researchers don't know why that is," says Heather Smith, registered dietitian & certified diabetes educator, with the Pediatric Endocrinology program at Presence Saint Joseph. "We are seeing an increase in Type 2 diabetes in children because of the environment we live in: more fast food and less physical activity. We are also seeing a very high increase in Type 1 diabetes."
A Family Focused Approach
"When a child has diabetes, it is not just the child who is the patient-it is the entire family," says Tseghai Behre, MD, pediatric endocrinologist with Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. "Managing diabetes requires a support structure between the family, school nurse, and other caretakers because children are constantly growing, and their treatment is constantly changing. Our program works with the family and their support system to give their child the best treatment plan and options to manage this disorder."
Benefits of the Program
Patients meet with a Certified Diabetes Educator as they arrive for their appointment. They also are assessed by the physician who works with the family on finding the best treatments for their particular child. Presence Saint Joseph's program offers treatment options including insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose sensing devices, and ongoing support through phone calls, e-mails, faxes, and quarterly educational classes. If a child is having a particularly difficult time accepting their disease, the program also can refer the child to counseling.
"For a child and his or her family to successfully manage diabetes, constant support is key," says Dr. Berhe. "We assess all the needs of our patients to provide the most comprehensive treatment."
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