Horizon Health Continues Excellence in Diabetes Care

Leighsa Cornwell retains national certification

Horizon Health’s Leighsa Cornwell, RN, CDCES, continues to receive national recognition as an expert in diabetes care and education.

Leighsa recently renewed her status as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. Her five-year recertification involved completing at least 75 hours of diabetes continuing education.

“Living with diabetes can be overwhelming, but there is hope,” Leighsa said. “A diabetes educator works with you to develop a self-management plan that fits your lifestyle. There is no cure for diabetes, but you can manage it and live well.”

Leighsa joined Horizon Health in 2011 as the community health and disease management coordinator. She became a certified diabetes educator in 2013, providing education and continuous follow-up care for diabetic and pre-diabetic patients. In her role, she helps patients understand carbohydrate consumption, medications, insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices, nutrition labels, blood sugar and exercise, and lab results.

Diabetes Education Program

The American Diabetes Association has recognized Horizon Health for its excellence in diabetes education since 1994.

In 2022, the program’s participants averaged a one percent reduction in A1c. So far in 2023, more than 200 patients have utilized the program. One patient reduced their A1c from 16.9% to 6.3% in just three months. An A1c measures average blood sugar levels over the previous three months.

Horizon Health’s Diabetes Education Program is part of a comprehensive diabetes team that includes endocrinology, primary care, podiatry, and nutrition. Other certified diabetes educators at Horizon Health include Debbie Griffin, family nurse practitioner, and Heather Pfrank, registered dietitian and director of nutritional and dietary services.

Most insurance plans cover diabetes education for patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

For more information about diabetes care at Horizon Health, visit MyHorizonHealth.org/Diabetes.