Individuals who want to get fit, prevent diabetes and lower their risk of heart disease can receive free help in a pilot program in Luzerne County.
Wilkes University is partnering with Crestwood Pharmacy in Mountain Top to pilot the Diabetes Prevention Program-Group Lifestyle Balance Program. Program staff will work with individuals to make lifestyle changes to prevent disease and lower risk factors.
The program is made possible by grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. Wilkes is the first pharmacy school to offer the diabetes prevention program Group Lifestyle Balance coach training. Fifteen students were trained as part of the program. Natalie Everett, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy student and certified lifestyle coach, is the first to partner with a pharmacy to offer the program.
Participants who enroll and meet eligibility criteria will receive healthy lifestyle incentives throughout the program that includes gift cards, access to gym memberships, fitness tracking devices, healthy food prep tools and more based on their attendance and meeting their personal goals.
The program will run for 12 months starting with an informational session May 5 and the first class on May 12. Classes will be held weekly from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 316 S. Mountain Blvd. in Mountain Top. After the first 12 weeks, monthly accountability meetings will be held to track progress.
Participants will work toward achieving two goals:
● Increase physical activity to a minimum of 150 minutes a week
● Lose a minimum of 7 percent of their body weight
The program will be led by Everett, and overseen by Jessica Orloski, PharmD, Crestwood Pharmacy co-owner, holistic/integrative pharmacist and Wilkes alumna. Coaches will work with participants to provide education and assistance to help achieve program goals. Those enrolled in the program will be monitored for one year and are required to attend group sessions for support.
Participants must be willing to:
1. Commit to a positive change in diet and physical activity habits
2. Attend group sessions regularly
3. Actively participate in education sessions
4. Monitor daily food intake and physical activity for one full year
5. Track and record information as requested for the program
6. Work toward achieving the program goals and their own personal lifestyle goals
For more information about the Group Lifestyle Balance program, contact Natalie Everett at natalie.everett@wilkes.edu or call the pharmacy at (570) 474-5859. For more information and to register for the program, visit https://form.jotform.com/crestwoodpharmacypa/CrestwoodGLB.
