The Final Diabetic Clinic

“Sad.” “Relieved.” “Grateful.”

“It’s like a divorce you knew was coming, but didn’t want.”

Those were the words I heard from the patients in the Diabetic Clinic as we had our last-ever meeting. It was the last one because they all qualify for healthcare insurance. Two purchased healthcare insurance through the Marketplace; one qualifies for Medicare this month; the others all qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan – Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program.

It was a bittersweet evening. We have been doing the Diabetic Clinic for around 10 years. It was the vision of Andi Scholl, PA-C. He wanted to try something different and new for diabetics – a clinic devoted to them done in a group setting. The patients all came in at 5 p.m. They had their vital signs (blood pressure, pulse and respirations) done, as well as their weight. Each one would talk to one of the nurses about what they needed that night – medication refills, to see the provider, test strips, etc. Then the group would meet together to share an educational program and a healthy snack.

When the provider came in, the ones that needed to be seen would have a chance to be seen individually. Each patient received a month’s worth of medications and glucose test strips to go with the meter the clinic provided.

The clinic was created by an amazing group of volunteers in addition to Andi. There was Pat Morgan, RN, and Sean Codier, a student at Hillsdale College who is now an MD with the U.S. Army and stationed in Korea.

Over the years, many others have volunteered their time and talents: Natalie Wyma, PA-C; Dr. Steigerwald; Dr. Schall; Linda Cosier, LPN; Marilyn Williams-Bayer, RN; Char Byers, RN; Mary Skupinski, RN; and, Cindy Horwath, RN. The pharmacist for the Diabetic Clinic has been Tim Skupinski, RPh.

I have some mixed feelings as this program comes to an end. It has been an amazing group of professionals to work with. The group of patients, for the most part, have been motivated, compliant and eager to take control of their lives. They have come each month to take part in the group. The names and faces have changed frequently over the years, but the support and care they gave one another stayed the same.

We will miss seeing them and they will, at least initially, miss seeing us. But, they are so much better off insured. They are a success story today – thanks to the Affordable Care Act.