Courtesy of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital:
The Barragan Family Health Care and Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is set open Monday, September 10th. Thanks to a generous donation by Mary Ann Barragan, a grant from Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation, the Diabetes Center is now complete and equipped. The center is the first and only of its kind in San Benito County.
The Diabetes Center, located at 930 Sunnyslope Road, Ste. A2, will offer a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to the care of diabetes. The team, led by Medical Director and Endocrinologist, Dr. Michael Koteles, will consist of Aileen Wang, MD, Endocrinologist; Dina Casparro, DPM, Podiatrist; Janet VerVaecke, RN, BSN, CDE, CWCN, PHN, Certified Wound Care Nurse and Certified Diabetic Educator, an LVN and medical assistants.
The center was made possible by a donation from Mrs. Mary Ann Barragan, long time resident of Hollister, in honor of her late husband Ray Barragan, who suffered from diabetes for many years. Current data indicates that 17.5% of the adult population in San Benito County has diabetes. An estimated 30% of the adult population is considered pre-diabetic or at risk of becoming diabetic. That is nearly half of all adults living in San Benito County.
“A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to the care of diabetics has shown to significantly improve their outcomes. Mrs. Barragan’s generosity will allow this type of comprehensive care to be available to all the citizens of San Benito County” said Dr. Koteles. “Our center will provide personalized care, education, counseling and treatment. We will be able to offer motivational programs, screenings, informative literature, seminars and outreach to improve the health status of our community.” The center also has a kitchen where cooking demonstrations will be scheduled to teach patients about healthy eating.
With support from the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation, the Diabetes Center is also partnering with the Central Coast YMCA to provide a Diabetes Prevention Program for the residents of San Benito County. The CCYMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults (starting at 18 years of age) at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing a modest amount of weight in order to reduce their chances of developing the disease. Admission into the program is through physician referral.
About Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is a full-service, publicly owned District hospital committed to advancing healthcare in the community. Offering hundreds of health services across multiple locations, Hazel Hawkins delivers cutting-edge, compassionate care for the growing San Benito County community, including top-tier specialists, a modern ER, and a state-of-the-art Women’s Center. To learn more about Hazel Hawkins Hospital, please visit www.hazelhawkins.com.
