Diabetes Specialist Now at West Park Hospital
Written by Andrew-Rossi on May 24, 2017
Northwest Wyoming now claims one of only two health care professionals in the state who holds a certification in Advanced Diabetes Management.
West Park Hospital’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Liz Fabrizio, has passed the boards for Advanced Diabetes Management from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. That’s an important resource, considering that the adult diabetes rate has almost doubled in Wyoming in the last 15 years.
According to West Park Hospital Public Relations Director Ashley Trudo, Fabrizio’s certification supports her advanced level of knowledge and ability to manage complex patient needs while assisting patients with therapeutic problem-solving.
In just 15 years, the adult diabetes rate rose from 4.5 percent in 2001 to 8.4 percent in 2016. Christine Revere, Chronic Disease Prevention Program manager with the Wyoming Department of Health, said the trend is not surprising when considered along with several risk factors linked with type 2 diabetes. 65 percent of Wyoming adults are obese or overweight, 83 percent don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, 25 percent engage in no daily physical activity, and 21 percent smoke cigarettes.
Uncontrolled diabetes can result in medical difficulties such as blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage. Diabetes is also an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
