Cherokee Diabetes Program
The mission of the Cherokee Diabetes Program (CDP) is to improve the physical and emotional health of the Cherokee people by providing care in the areas of medicine, health-related education, behavioral health, and complementary health.

Location:
Ginger Lynn Welch Complex

806 Acquoni Road, Suite 100

Scope of Work: The CDP provides medical, nutritional, and educational services to people with diabetes as well as those at high risk for developing diabetes. It also provides education to the community on diabetes care and treatment.

Contact:
Lisa Wheeler, MS Ed, PA-C, 497-1992
Click Here for Departmental Phone Numbers


2004 Accomplishments:

  • Completed move to Ginger Lynn Welch from the Cherokee Indian Hospital
  • Provided medical and/or educational care for a large proportion of Cherokee people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, and those at high risk for developing diabetes. This includes the Snowbird and Cherokee County areas.
  • Maintained high levels of staffing.· Provided education to various groups in the Cherokee community
  • Co-led the diabetes support group at the Cherokee High School.
  • Participated in the Fall Festival and at various community and health fair events.
  • Fulfilled all requirements for the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians grant which funds the program.

2004 Accomplishments (cont)

  • Sponsored or co-sponsored several conferences, programs, and a retreat designed to promote mental health and healing from trauma
  • Assist Cherokee Choices staff with worksite wellness program.
  • Continued our successful group medical visit clinics: Kidney Clinic and the Diabetes Pain Clinic
  • Participated in national IHS diabetes activities and continued to be seen as a leader in program quality and innovation.
  • Assisted IHS in the development and testing of PCC+ forms for diabetes and MNT.
  • Implemented a complementary health care system including acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy.
  • Initiated Point of Care lab testing with consistently high proficiency scores (100%)
  • Received the Order of the Medicine Wheel Award from the American Indian Mothers Association, for outstanding contributions and service in health care to American Indians
  • Successfully implemented Diabetes Education courses that comply with American Diabetes Association Education Recognition
  • Offer weekly support group for individuals seeking wellness through a Wellbriety Group
  • Successfully moved the retinal camera telemedicine program from CIHA to the diabetes Program