Today, the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation (EPCHF), along with partners from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PdNHF), announced a grant of nearly $500,000 for the Empower Program at El Paso Children’s Hospital (EPCH). With significant support from community physicians, EPCH is pleased to partner with the PdNHF to expand their diabetes services to include outpatient pediatric prediabetes educational services in addition to medical nutrition therapy services through the Empower Program.
The Empower Program at EPCH was developed with a team approach to provide the education and support needed to make changes in the lives of children faced with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Every child and teenager in the Empower Program works with a specialized dietitian and social worker to receive a personalized plan to include achievable goals. The specific plan is also shared with the child’s primary care physician to better manage the child’s overall health. The program is aimed to change children’s behaviors, help overcome barriers, and support entire families as they become involved in healthier lifestyles at home.
“Since the start of the Empower Program, El Paso Children’s Hospital has seen a significant number of referrals from community physicians,” said Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital. “We are very proud to be able to provide these services thanks to the help of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation.”
“The El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation is honored to be the recipient of this generous gift,” said Leslie Lujan, Interim Executive Director of the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The partnership with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation has allowed us to be able to transform the lives of children faced with nutritional challenges.”
"With childhood obesity on the rise, so is Type 2 diabetes. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is pleased to support the El Paso Children's Hospital and its Empower Program to provide the information and resources families need to address Type 2 diabetes," said Tracy Yellen, CEO for Paso del Norte Community Foundation.