ADA’s certification ensures quality diabetes education and support for patients
Hillsdale Hospital’s diabetes education program was recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through their Education Recognition Program (ERP). The hospital’s program was recognized as a diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) service in December, 2025.
“Hillsdale Hospital’s diabetes education program empowers individuals with knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their condition, leading to better blood sugar control, improved quality of life and fewer complications,” said Hillsdale Hospital’s diabetes educator, Denise Lovinger, RD, CDE.
The ADA is the nation’s leading diabetes management organization. The ERP certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for DSMES. The corresponding intervention provided is evidence-based and outcome-driven. Program leaders voluntarily apply for the four-year ADA-ERP.
“DSMES is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it,” said Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA’s vice president of health programs. “We applaud Hillsdale Hospital for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes and patient experience.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Diabetes Statistics Report, over 38 million people, or 11.6%, of the U.S. population, have diabetes. While an estimated 29.7 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately 8.7 million people are not aware they have the disease.
Each day, nearly 3,300 Americans are newly diagnosed. Many first learn they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications—heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease or amputation. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.; in 2023, it contributed to over 95,000 deaths. A report released by the ADA, Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022, confirms that diabetes remains one of the nation’s most expensive chronic healthcare conditions, estimating the cost of diagnosed diabetes at $412.9 billion.
Learn more about the ADA’s ERP and other ERP-certified services.
For more information about diabetes education at Hillsdale Hospital, visit hillsdalehospital.com/diabetes.
