BMC Diabetes Education Program Achieves American Diabetes Association Recognition

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The BMC Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has again received the prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education and support service. 

According to the ADA, the BMC program "offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment."

The association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the national standards for diabetes self-management education and support. The standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012 and 2017.

DSMES services like BMC's apply for this recognition voluntarily. Services that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

"The process gives professionals national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” said Candace Lusa, manager of the BMC Diabetes Education Program. "And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service."

Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded to BMC for four years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people, or 9.4 percent, of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2015.  Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2015 as it contributed to 252,806 deaths. 

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, people with diabetes and the public. Founded in 1940, the association continues to support people affected by diabetes nationwide.

For more information on recognized education services in your area or other American Diabetes Association programs, call the ADA office at 800-342-2383) or contact the ADA online.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.