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The American College of Diabetology recently announced that it will increase the number of Diabetology Fellowship programs for primary care physicians in the U.S. with support from a generous $2.99 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. There are currently only six Diabetology Fellowship Programs in the country including one at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. The college’s program was one of the first when it began in 2004.
“Diabetes is a non-communicable condition that has reached pandemic proportions, and the health care system has been unable to adequately address it,” said Jay Shubrook, D.O. (’96), chair of the American College of Diabetology in a press announcement about the program expansion. “With this partnership, we will widely expand the ability for physicians to gain expertise in diabetes — especially in the primary care setting.”
The diabetes fellowship is a rigorous, one-year program that trains primary care providers to become diabetes experts. It includes clinical experiences, research and scholarly activity, weekly didactics, diabetes camp and conference experiences.
There have been 16 graduates of the program at the Heritage College since it began, said Associate Clinical Professor Amber Healy, D.O. (’09). She is the diabetes fellowship program director, a founding member of the American College of Diabetology and currently serves as secretary of the executive board. She said a new diabetes fellow will begin in July. The Heritage College and Diabetes Institute have partnered with OhioHealth to offer the program since 2017.
The funds from the Helmsley Charitable Trust will make it possible for another nine fellowship programs to start around the country over the next three years. The programs increase diabetes education, access and care across the U.S., create a recognition pathway for diabetologists, and provide ongoing professional education for physicians working with patients with diabetes.
The Heritage College takes applications for the fellowship program on a rolling basis between September and February.