In My Community

The Awakening the Spirit Team of the American Diabetes Association is excited to announce the recipients of the fourth annual "John Pipe Voices for Change Awards." The awards were presented at the National Indian Health Board’s 29th Annual Consumer Conference in Denver (scroll down to see their picture).

The 2012 John Pipe Voices for Change Award recognizes SDPI programs that have excelled in the following categories: Advocacy, Outcomes and Innovation.

Advocacy Award:

Being Responsible American Indians with Diabetes (BRAID)
Oklahoma City
The BRAID Program educates American Indians about type 2 diabetes prevention and promotes healthier lives with positive lifestyle changes. Members of the BRAID team created a detailed brochure explaining their efforts in the diabetes community and how the funding for SDPI programs has helped them along the way. They took this brochure to the Oklahoma congressional staff where they received a verbal commitment that they would continue to be supported through SDPI funding.

Outcomes Award:

Cherokee Nation Diabetes Program
Tahlequah, Okla.
The Cherokee Nation Diabetes Program has provided services and diabetes supplies to over 10,000 diabetes patients served by their outpatient clinics and hospitals. The clinical staff are fully integrated into the delivery of direct patient care at their facilities, all have additional diabetes-related training, and many are Certified Diabetes Educators. The Cherokee Nation Diabetes Prevention Program offers 16-week diabetes prevention classes to participants with prediabetes, with classes covering nutrition, physical activity and psychosocial concepts.

Innovation Award:

Healthy O’odham Promotion Program
Sells, Ariz.
The Healthy O’odham Promotion Program introduced the Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools (DETS) curriculum throughout four schools of the Tohono O’odham tribal reservation. They were also able to implement a tele-school pilot project in collaboration with four other middle schools off the reservation. The curriculum focused on prevention of diabetes and obesity. There was a health care specialist onsite to assist with hands-on activities as well as cooking demonstrations. In mid-July, bike ride was coordinated to keep the children active. The Healthy O’odham Promotion Program was successful in developing innovative prevention and treatment activities.

L-R Tekisha Everette, ADA Staff, IHS Director, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux,Tonya Wapskineh and Teresa Chaudoin (Cherokee Nation Diabetes Program), Carme Hamilton (BRAID), Maegon Lopez, (Healthy O’odham Promotion Program), Cathy Waller (BRAID), Shondra McCage, Chair NAI Subcommittee, Denise Price-Brown, ADA Staff

Read more about the 2011 Award Winning Programs!