Taking Control of Diabetes in the North Country: Education, Support & Advanced Wound Care

Every November, North Star Health Alliance proudly joins the national movement for Diabetes Awareness Month, shining a light on the importance of early detection, daily management, and compassionate support. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for someone you love, or simply looking to stay on track, one truth remains: diabetes is complex, but it is manageable.

With the right tools, education, and medical care, individuals living with diabetes can lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Here in the North Country, that support is strengthened by the expert teams at the Diabetes Education Program at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus (Claxton Campus) and the Rev. Thomas T. Patterson Wound Healing Center, who work together to empower patients with personalized guidance, advanced treatment options, and ongoing care.

Diabetes - The Basics

Diabetes happens when the body has trouble using insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar over time. The most common types are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Unmanaged diabetes can raise the risk of heart disease, nerve damage, kidney issues, vision loss, and slow-healing wounds, especially on the feet. The good news: education, prevention, and timely care can dramatically lower those risks.

Your Roadmap: Claxton Campus Diabetes Education Program

If you’re newly diagnosed, or navigating life changes that make diabetes management feel overwhelming, the Claxton Campus Diabetes Education Program is here to guide you. Our diabetes educators help you understand your diagnosis, build confidence in daily care, and create a self-management plan that fits your lifestyle, your goals, and your health needs. (A physician referral is required to enroll.)

Your first visit includes one-on-one time with a diabetes educator to:

• Review target glucose numbers and how to check at home

• Discuss symptoms, complications, and warning signs

• Tailor a treatment plan around your goals (weight, meal planning, activity, medications)

Our diabetes education program is designed to support you throughout your entire journey, not only when you are first diagnosed. Many patients return as their needs change over time. For example, they may come back when starting a new medication, adjusting insulin, or navigating a busy season when blood sugars begin to drift. No matter the reason, our team is here to help you stay on track and feel confident in your care.

The program follows American Diabetes Association standards and focuses on seven essentials:

1. Nutirion

2. Execerise and activity

3. Monitoring symtpoms

4. Medication management

5. Problem solving

6. Risk reduction

7. Healthy coping

Are you ready for real change? Take the next step by calling 315.713.5251 and asking to speak with one of our diabetes care specialists: Michele Catlin, DCCC, or Mary Cole, RN. They are here to answer your questions, guide your next steps, and help you begin a plan that truly works for you. We even offer free in-person and virtual Health and Wellness classes. The goal is to help you live your best and healthiest life!

The Connection Between Wound Care and Diabetes

Diabetes affects far more than blood sugar. Over time, elevated glucose levels can weaken the immune system, reduce circulation, and damage nerves. This means people with diabetes may not feel injuries when they occur, and once a wound forms, it can be slow to heal - especially on the lower legs and feet.

High blood sugar can affect circulation and nerve function, making it harder for wounds to heal properly. If a sore or wound has not improved within 30 days, specialized care is essential. Early treatment can prevent infection, reduce the risk of hospitalization, and significantly lower the chance of amputation.

Who benefits from wound care?

People with diabetic foot ulcers, lower-leg ulcers, pressure injuries, traumatic wounds and burns, slow or infected surgical wounds, impaired grafts/flaps, osteomyelitis (bone infection), radiation injuries, progressive infections, and those whose healing is affected by medications, cancer treatment, immune suppression, or circulatory problems.

Tip: If you have diabetes, inspect your feet daily. Call promptly if you see redness, drainage, blisters, calluses that change, or a sore that doesn’t improve within two weeks.

The Rev. Thomas T. Patterson Wound Healing Center

Located at CHMC, the Wound Healing Center offers comprehensive, compassionate care for stubborn wounds. What sets it apart?

• UHMS-Accredited Hyperbaric Medicine: It’s the only center in the North Country accredited by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, reflecting excellence in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and safety standards.

• A Whole-Person Approach: A dedicated team of physicians and nurses uncovers why a wound isn’t healing—then treats the cause and the wound together.

Prevention You Can Feel Good About

Managing diabetes does not require perfection. What matters most is consistency and choosing small, meaningful steps that support your health every day. Even simple changes can create powerful improvements over time.

• After-meal movement: A brisk 10–15 minute walk can help reduce post-meal glucose spikes.

• Smart plate: Center meals around vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber-rich carbohydrates, and be mindful of portions.

• Hydrate and sleep: Drinking water supports kidney function and blood sugar balance. Getting 7–9 hours of sleep improves insulin sensitivity and helps your body regulate glucose.

• Know your numbers: Check your blood sugar as directed and stay on top of regular eye, foot, and dental exams.

• Ask for help: Diabetes is a team effort. Educators, primary care providers, specialists, and wound-care experts are here to guide and support you.

We’re With You—Every Step

At the North Star Health Alliance, we believe education builds confidence, and confidence builds health. If you’re managing diabetes, at risk for it, or facing a slow-healing wound, you don’t have to do it alone.

Next steps:

• Talk to your primary care provider about a referral to the Claxton Campus Diabetes Education Program.

• Call our diabetes educators directly with questions: 315.713.5251

• If a wound isn’t improving, or you’re worried about a foot sore, contact the Wound Healing Center during business hours for guidance.

This Diabetes Awareness Month and beyond, let’s make knowledge the first treatment, prevention the daily habit, and support the constant companion. Together, we can turn small steps into lasting health.