Henry Ford famously said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
For primary care physician Maggie Chacko, MD, that philosophy is at the heart of Endeavor Health’s team-based care.
She strives to come together with her patients to build lasting relationships to improve their quality of life. With more than 30 years of practice, she knows the best way to do this is with repeat visits and collaboration.
“People have such diverse healthcare options now with urgent care facilities on every corner,” Dr. Chacko said. “While this is convenient, piecing together healthcare with different physicians at a variety of health systems results in poor overall outcomes and less personal care.”
For patients diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, working with physicians like Dr. Chacko means having a primary care doctor who continuously tracks your health while bringing in a dedicated team of specialists to support your journey — and it all begins with early detection.
Understanding your A1C: The key to early prediabetes detection
Early intervention for diabetes often starts with a simple, proactive screening to monitor a patient’s A1C, or hemoglobin A1C level, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells that binds with glucose/blood sugar.
An A1C test measure the average amount of sugar in your blood. It is a quick and effective tool used to spot prediabetes before symptoms ever appear. For those with diabetes, it can help monitor if a diabetes treatment plan is effective.
Prediabetes indicates that blood sugar levels are higher than a normal range. While such a level is not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes, prediabetes should not be ignored.
“When my patients come to me consistently for care, I can incorporate them into our team-based care,” Dr. Chacko said. “As a primary care physician, I am just one aspect of this team. We can pull in Endeavor Health resources, such as the Jumpstart Program, certified diabetes care and education specialists, dietitians, pharmacists, mental health support, physical and occupational therapists, and so many other specialists to support our patients.”
According to the American Diabetes Association, 115 million Americans who are 18 years old or older are living with prediabetes. Dr. Chacko believes this statistic gives her an opportunity to follow Endeavor Health’s approach for team-based care. Dr. Chacko often refers patients for diabetes education with certified diabetes care and education specialists across the Endeavor Health system.
How a personalized diabetes action plan works
Dr. Chacko often refers patients with elevated A1C values for a consultation with diabetes care and education specialists based out of Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital or Endeavor Health Edward Hospital.
At these facilities, prediabetes patients can attend a low-charge, one-year Jumpstart Your Health program. Patients with prediabetes and diabetes have additional course options at all Endeavor Health hospitals.
Working with a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) or participating in an education program provides patients with practical, real-world skills for nutrition, exercise and lifestyle management.
For example, some classes teach patients how to read food labels so they can navigate grocery store aisles with confidence. This helps them identify and cut back on refined carbohydrates, added sugars, unhealthy fats and ultra-processed foods. Patients also discover how to satisfy their sweet tooth by swapping out sugary treats for healthy, low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives.
Liz Jones, MS, RDN, CDCES, one of the certified diabetes care and education specialists at Elmhurst Hospital, explained, “People do not have to completely restrict foods to live a healthy lifestyle. Learning more about healthy substitutions, moderation, support and how that balances with physical activity is vital to diabetes education.”
As a result, many patients at Endeavor Health have made straightforward lifestyle adjustments that successfully lowered their A1C below the prediabetic threshold.
Who makes up your care team?
Making lifestyle changes can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face them alone — the Endeavor Health team is here to support you.
Depending on your personal health goals, your care team may include:
- Primary care physicians (PCPs): Oversee your overall wellness and order routine A1C screenings.
- Diabetes care and education specialists: Partner with patients living with prediabetes and diabetes to better support and manage their diabetes. They review healthy eating, being active, healthy coping, problem solving, taking medications and other tasks to help improve quality of life and reduce risks.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs): Provide dedicated follow-up care and monitor your progress between doctor visits.
- Clinical pharmacists: Offer specialized guidance on medication management when needed.
- Behavioral health specialists: Help you overcome emotional or behavioral hurdles to build lasting, healthy habits.
"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with the guidance and encouragement of others is so vital to success," said Dr. Chacko. "Research shows we tend to have more motivation and ambition when support systems are in place to hold us accountable and cheer us on. I will always be a cheerleader for my patients, but I also know when to bring in our extended team to give them every advantage possible."
Take control of your health: How to get started
While awareness observances like Diabetes Awareness Month put a spotlight on education, Endeavor Health’s care team is available every day of the year to partner with you.
Talk to your primary care physician at your next visit about scheduling an A1C screening. If your results indicate prediabetes or diabetes, our team can help you make lifestyle changes to help prevent it from progressing, or provide personalized support to manage an existing diabetes diagnosis.
Related Articles
