Episcopal Health Services Healthy Heart Ambassador Program lead Latoya Maragh, MS, MPH, RN, and Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coaches, Brittany Heitman, LMSW, and Nicole Smith, RD, CDN.
Photo courtesy of Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services (EHS) has launched two vital community health programs aimed at addressing the growing issues of diabetes and hypertension in the Rockaway Peninsula and surrounding areas.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program, a year-long initiative backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seeks to help individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes make lifestyle changes. Participants receive support from peers and trained coaches, focusing on weight loss and healthier habits to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
“This evidence-based program focuses on behavior modification to help participants achieve and maintain weight loss,” said Preet Kukreja, Director of Population Health at EHS. “By preventing type 2 diabetes, we’re not only improving health outcomes, but also reducing healthcare costs and fostering healthier, more resilient communities.”
Alongside the diabetes prevention program, EHS has introduced the National Healthy Heart Ambassador Program, a four-month initiative designed to assist individuals with hypertension. Through workshops led by a social worker, registered nurse and dietitian, participants learn personalized techniques to monitor and manage their blood pressure, improving both physical health and well-being.
“The Healthy Heart Ambassador Program serves as a critical tool for empowering individuals to take control of their health,” Kukreja explained. “We’re helping participants not only manage their hypertension, but improve their overall well-being.”
These new programs are part of EHS’ broader commitment to improving community health outcomes. Renee Hastick-Motes, Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer at EHS, emphasized the importance of these efforts.
“At EHS, we continue to prioritize programs that address the pressing health needs of our community,” she said. “Through outreach efforts such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program and the Healthy Heart Ambassador Program, we are taking important steps to help improve the long-term health of our residents.”
For more information about the programs, community members can contact EHS’ Population Health Team at (718) 869-7454 or (718) 869-7293.
