To help meet the demand for local diabetes services, Cheshire Medical Center patients can now receive diabetes self-management education and support right within their Primary Care Provider’s office.
Cheshire’s Collaborative Care Team, embedded in the Primary Care department, achieved certification to provide this service in the fall of 2025. This was needed because the number of Greater Monadnock Region residents living with diabetes has “increased tremendously,” according to Jennifer Putzel, Cheshire’s Manager of Ambulatory Care Management.
“A Diabetes Self-Management Education program is essential because it equips patients with the knowledge and skills to control their condition, leading to better outcomes and fewer complications,” Putzel said.
Cheshire’s Collaborative Care team consists of registered nurses, registered dietitians and certified diabetes care and education specialists. The team helps manage chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma through screenings, monitoring, treatment coordination and patient education.
The diabetes program acts as an extension of primary care, offering evidence-based, accredited services that help individuals manage diabetes through personalized plans. This includes nutrition, exercise, medication management, glucose monitoring, reduce complications and lower healthcare costs.
“The goal is to educate people on how to manage their diabetes to stay healthy, avoid preventable complications and keep people out of the hospital,” Putzel said.
If a patient has complications or a higher need for care, they may still need to be referred to Cheshire’s Endocrinology Department, but most can be supported through this program.
“The Collaborative Care team that performs structured diabetes education may be the missing link that provides high-quality education that meets the needs of each individual person,” Putzel said.
The Diabetes Self-Management Education program is covered by most insurers, including Medicare and private plans. Those interested in the program should contact their primary care provider for a referral.