MDNews - Greater Boston

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ + +++ HOSPITAL SPOTLIGHT+ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Morton hospital Expands Diabetes Care Service By Christopher Cheney W high incidence of diabetes in the area it serves, Morton Hospital in Taunton, a member of the Steward family of hospitals, has bolstered the level of services it can provide for diabetes patients. The centerpiece of this effort is the recent addition of three diabetes specialists to the hospital's Steward Medical Group (SMG) Specialty Care office: Dan Tang, MD, PhD; Hagop Kojanian, MD; and diabetes educator Margaret Pochay, RD, CDE. "Diabetes is a very common disease. We call it the 'silent killer'," says Dr. Tang, a fellowship-trained endocrinologist. "People with diabetes can be asymptomatic for a long time. We cannot cure it in most cases, but we can teach patients how to control diabetes." Dr. Tang says having endocrinologists and a diabetes educator at Morton Hospital is going to offer a vitally important service to surrounding communities. "With diabetes patients, regular followup is very important," she explains. "If the patient can have the convenience to be seen close to his or her home, then that is going to help us provide good care." With diabetes characterized as a multi-system disease that affects patients literally from head to toe, Dr. Kojanian says one of the top goals of diabetes care at Morton Hospital is building a network of doctors and specialists to work with their patients. "When we have diabetes patients, they have to be seen by other doctors," Dr. Kojanian says. In addition to endocrinologists such as he and Dr. Tang, he says Photos © ryan riChardson ith a relatively the specialists who play a role in caring for diabetes patients include cardiologists, nephrologists, ophthalmologists, neurologists and podiatrists. Medical care is obviously crucial to helping diabetes patients when they develop complications, but Pochay also plays a very important role in boosting diabetes services at Morton Hospital. "The more knowledge a person with diabetes has, the more likely he or she will be able to manage the disease," says Pochay, who has 30 years of experience in diabetes education and weight-loss programs. "The trend is to prevent complications." Diabetes is a chronic disease, and one of the unique aspects of living with the illness is patients must modify their lifestyles and frequently monitor blood sugar levels. A healthy diet, regular exercise and regimented use of medication are all critical factors in keeping the silent killer at bay. "There's a lot to it. That's one of the differences between diabetes and other chronic illnesses," Pochay says. "It is up to patients with diabetes to manage the disease themselves." Dr. Tang, Dr. Kojanian and Pochay all acknowledge that a diabetes diagnosis poses a daunting challenge to most of their patients. But they are equally firm in their belief that they can help people manage the illness effectively in a way that allows them to maintain a fulfilling lifestyle. "We think we make a big difference in people's lives," Dr. Tang says. For more information about diabetes care at Morton Hospital and SMG Specialty Care, please call 508-822-2266 or visit www.mortonhospital.org. ■ in addition to treating patients with diabetes, sMG specialty Care offers education, individual teaching, group classes and support groups. shown here, from left, are Margaret Pochay, rd, Cde; dan tang, Md, Phd; and hagop Kojanian, Md. mdnewS.com ■ MD News Greater Boston | 15

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