Good Shepherd Ministries of Oklahoma

Social determinates have a severe impact on their overall health, leaving them at risk for chronic diseases. Integrating concepts of compliance and adherence by adopting a more collaborative model of care emphasizing patient autonomy and choice. In this model of challenging diabetic patients to take control of their disease, health care providers can provide autonomy support to their patients to enhance their success at disease management behaviors. From the perspective of the health care delivery system, this model of collaborative or co-managed care emphasizes providers setting goals with their patients and providing ongoing support for optimal patient self-management behaviors over time.

The majority of patients cared for at the Good Shepherd Clinic are struggling with chronic disease and major health problems. Social and health system barriers such as poverty and a lack of health care providers affect the ability of poor and vulnerable populations to access and navigate specialty health care. These barriers can lead to patients either significantly delaying or discontinuing care or – worst of all – forgoing the care recommended for them.

We provide the following services:
• Primary Medical Care
• Medical Interpreters
• Dental Care
• Mental Health Treatment/Counseling
• Specialty Care such as Neurology, Dermatology, Audiology, Gynecology, and referrals
• X-ray Services, Lab and Diagnostic Tests
• CODA Diabetes Screening
• Nutrition/ Diabetes Cooking Classes and Education
• Prescription Medications & Supplies
• Diabetic Eye Exams & Glaucoma Exams

Just like food is a necessity to live a healthy life – providing access to medical care, medication and supplies and tools to self-manage their disease is just as important. Diabetes affects millions of people and it doesn’t discriminate, diabetes can hit when a person is least expecting it. It requires constant monitoring of blood glucose levels, proper medication treatment, whether this includes oral pills or insulin. Without the needed medications, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as neuropathy, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke or glaucoma, or even worse it can lead to an early death. Proper blood glucose control is vital in preventing any long-term complications.

Our clinic relies on volunteer doctors, PAs, dentists, hygienists, nurses and students s to be able to provide the needed health care to the medically underserved and uninsured people in our community. We would not be able to provide for those in our community who are suffering if it were not for all the selfless volunteers who choose to help our patients.

Diabetes is a number of diseases that involve problems with the hormone insulin. Normally, the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) releases insulin to help your body store and use the sugar and fat from the food you eat. Diabetes can occur when the pancreas produces very little or no insulin, or when the body does not respond appropriately to insulin. As yet, there is no cure. People with diabetes need to manage their disease to stay healthy.

The sociological and psychological impact of diabetes in a person’s daily life might increase the risk of emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, even if diabetes isn’t a lethal disease, people with diabetes must take precautions and make the right decisions so they can keep enjoying a happy and functional life.

The good news is with the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications. Thanks to the new tools, treatments, and applications on the market right now, diabetics can find it easier to stay on top of their health. This means they have a better chance of avoiding long-term complications and experience a better quality of life for years to come.

Diabetes Challenge: “Taking Control To Wellness” is a program to urge people with type 2 diabetes to work with their doctor to set and reach their A1C goal. This program also encourages effective behavioral interventions by understanding the why, how, and when patients do not engage in optimal diabetes self-management behaviors. Assessment of the reasons for lack of optimal self-care is important before embarking on specific behavioral interventions that may fail if specific regimen barriers are not understood and dealt with as part of the intervention.
This powerful initiative program is designed to encourage our 51 diabetic patients with life-threatening A1C levels to manage and control their disease. It is designed to inspire our patient's healthful habits at work, home and beyond. “Taking Control to Wellness” helps our providers and students educate and motivate patients to adopt healthful habits to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. For some, it will mean fewer sick days and higher productivity. For others, it means looking and feeling better. For everyone, the result is empowerment—patients who are better able to control, delay or prevent diabetes. This Diabetes Challenge will include the following to improve their A1C levels, avoid serious health complications from uncontrolled diabetes and take control of their disease by providing:
Weight Management, nutritional food boxes, recipes and cooking demonstrations on, encouraging exercise, eye exams, medication and supplies, kidney function and nerve monitoring for neuropathy, monitoring and managing blood sugar levels and oral health care,

Working with care providers and students in a comprehensive care plan to help diabetic patients achieve their goals in managing their A1C levels, assess the risk of complications from the disease, changing behaviors, monitoring feet for wounds and sores, diet modifications, not smoking, getting recommended vaccinations — like flu shots — and support.

We have begun fundraising to purchase equipment for the eye exam clinic. Once the equipment is in place we will begin seeing patients in the eye clinic. This initiative will impact the delivery of health care to those living in poverty. Providing access to proper medical care and the tools to live a healthy lifestyle by lowering their blood sugar levels, people can live with diabetes and minimize its negative impact on themselves. Our programs extend to the improved quality of life of our patients and their families, reduce loss of work productively due to illness and benefits the larger community. Together, we are building a stronger and healthier community.