We partner with health care to ensure that patients have access to smoking cessation programs they need to be successful in quitting smoking.

Resources

• National Institutes of Health

  The National Institute of Health provides informative resources to help you play an active role in your health care and promotes clear communication with your doctor in order to better understand your diagnosis, treatment and recovery plan.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  Information and resources on many health topics and chronic diseases.

• Mayo Clinic

  Mayo Clinic provides you an expert comprehensive guide on hundreds of diseases and conditions.

• Minnesota Department of Health

  The Minnesota Department of Health works to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  Information and resources on many health topics and chronic diseases.

Success Stories

• Diabetes Group Education in Spanish

  Being diagnosed with diabetes can be scary and trying to manage the condition can feel daunting.

  To help support people living with diabetes, the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Winona Health, and Project FINE partnered on a Diabetes Group Education pilot program that was interpreted in Spanish. Two classes were offered to eight Spanish-speaking individuals living with diabetes and five family members or friends. Participants received recipes, a food plan guide, and a basic guide to diabetes.

  Topics included what diabetes is, how to treat or manage it, basic nutrition information, blood sugar targets, how to prevent complications from high or low blood sugar, how diabetes changes over time, and how to take diabetes medication safely.

  Each class began with a healthy meal and included education on appropriate portion sizes. During the break, movement was incorporated.

  The program was taught by Theresa Hoyles, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Winona Health. “The class provided basic information to help manage diabetes. We gave participants the knowledge and skills to live the longest, healthiest life possible, and we worked with them to find out what would work with their lifestyle,” said Hoyles.

  

  Since taking the class, 100 percent of respondents indicated their knowledge about diabetes had increased either slightly (3 people) or increased greatly (4 people). In addition, 57 percent of respondents said they are more active following the class; 86 percent of respondents are making healthier food choices, and 100 percent of respondents would recommend this class to a friend with diabetes.

  “Sometimes it’s hard to do things that are good for you, and classes like this one motivate me to do them,” said one participant.

  “I think the classes are very interesting, especially because it taught me how we should eat and what to do if my blood sugar is high or low. I learned good exercises. Thank you, I hope these classes will be repeated again in the future,” said another participant.

• Replacing Fountain Soda Machine

  

  Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are leading sources of added sugars in the American diet.  75% of the food items sold in the Lakeside Cafeteria at Winona Health meet the Mindful criteria for wellness. Only 41% of beverages sold in the cafeteria meet the same wellness criteria. Each year, customers purchase 6,117 cups of soda from the cafeteria, which translates to 2,664 pounds of sugar. A SHIP mini grant helped to replace the fountain soda machine with an ice and water dispenser and a hydration station featuring naturally flavored waters and refreshers.