Center for Adults and Children Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Helping Patients Regain Control of their Lives
Press Release
HACKENSACK, NJ – Just in time for National Diabetes Awareness Month in November 2021, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center’s MOLLY Diabetes Education/Management Center for Adults and Children will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Since 1996, the MOLLY Center has provided comprehensive diabetes education for children and adults with all types of diabetes.
The MOLLY Center is certified by the American Diabetes Association and staffed by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES), registered nurses and registered dieticians. The center, which also has a social worker, offers group and individual outpatient classes that provide information, education and support on diet/nutrition, medication, technology, exercise and the social/emotional aspects of living with diabetes.
The center also offers an inpatient program that helps people who have been admitted to the hospital manage their diabetes and provides referrals to the outpatient program.
“Over the years, the MOLLY Center has helped many people learn to live well while managing diabetes,” said Colette Knight, M.D., chair of the Inserra Family Diabetes Institutes at Hackensack University Medical Center. “We help our patients make lasting lifestyle changes that support long-term health to prevent diabetes-related complications.”
“Research shows that when people with diabetes are engaged in educational programs such as ours, they have better outcomes — and our patient-centered, individualized program meets people where they are,” said Toni Isabella, manager, MOLLY Diabetes Center. “World Diabetes Day is November 14, and this year’s theme is Access to Diabetes Care. We hope that celebrating our 25th anniversary raises awareness of our center so more people can benefit from the services we provide.”
Lorna Gooden is an example of a grateful MOLLY Center patient who has raised awareness by recommending the center to her mother and sisters. (see her full story attached)
“When I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, I spent years in denial while my [blood sugar levels] kept going up and I was eventually put on medication,” said Gooden, operations manager of Outpatient Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Going to the MOLLY Center was the best thing I ever did, because knowledge is power — and after you learn about how to manage diabetes, you do better.”
Gooden said the comprehensive education she received through the MOLLY Center’s Wellness Program was “life-changing” and credits the center’s team — which includes CDCES, registered dietitians and social workers — for being kind, knowledgeable and available. Today, Gooden’s blood sugar levels are so good that she has been able to reduce the amount of medication she takes — and her mom and sisters have had their own successes as a result of the MOLLY Center program.
“I couldn’t have done it without the team at the MOLLY Center,” said Gooden.
“Patients like Lorna illustrate why the MOLLY Center is so important to our community,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. “For 25 years, the center has been helping people manage, prevent and even reverse diabetes through life-enhancing education and support. The entire team at Hackensack University Medical Center is proud to celebrate the MOLLY Center’s 25th anniversary milestone.”
