Sunday, December 28, 2008

Baylor Health Care System appoints president of new diabetes program for facility in South Dallas

By Pegasus News wire

Baylor Health Care System recently named Donna Rice as president of the Southern Sector Health Initiative (SSHI), a new program designed by Baylor to create a center of excellence for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Rice will be responsible for overseeing the development of the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, a much-needed diabetes specialty clinic that is the cornerstone of the initiative. The vision of the SSHI is to improve care and save the lives of people with diabetes by creating a new care model focused on health care, prevention, education, and research specifically in the Frazier Community in South Dallas.

Joel Allison, president and CEO of Baylor Health Care System; community advocate Alva Baker; and Donna Rice, president of Baylor’s Southern Sector Health Initiative, attended the Frazier Neighborhood Holiday Party in South Dallas on Dec. 18.

"As a not-for-profit, faith-based health care entity with community service at its core, initiatives like this one are integral to Baylor's mission," said Joel Allison, president and CEO of Baylor Health Care System. "We anticipate this center will become a model for similar projects around the country and we are excited to have someone with Ms. Rice's knowledge and expertise lead this initiative."

A registered nurse, Rice has been involved in diabetes management for more than 20 years. She is a national and international thought leader on diabetes care and has chaired a national task force for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Rice also serves as the current Immediate Past President of the American Diabetes Educators. She is frequently called upon to speak on the topic of diabetes education and has authored many publications on diabetes care.

Rice received her nursing degree from Saint Anne's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the Madonna University in Michigan. In addition, she received her Master of Business Administration degree from the Baker College of Business.

"My goal is that this center becomes woven into the fabric of the community so that diabetes prevention and care is a natural and convenient part of life in this neighborhood," said Rice.

Baylor recently announced its plans for the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, a $15 million three-year project that includes the renovation of the existing center as well as the diabetes clinic that will open within the facility. The institute will provide an on-site physician and nurse practitioner in addition to nutrition and cooking classes, and a diabetes drug distribution system. It will also collaborate with other community organizations, such as public health programs, schools and churches, to improve health. All of the existing programs at The Juanita J. Craft Recreation center will be maintained or enhanced once the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute opens.

Baylor Health Care System, a not-for-profit health care provider based in North Texas, is a growing network of hospitals, primary care and specialty care centers, rehabilitation clinics, senior health centers, and affiliated ambulatory surgery centers. An employer of more than 16,000 people, Baylor ranks as one of the largest private-sector employers in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service. For fiscal year 2007, Baylor Health Care System will report $390 million in community benefits to the Department of State Health Services.

Source: Baylor Health Care System

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