Horizon Family Medical Group is expanding its team to teach patients how to manage their chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia and depression.

Certified Master Trainer Eileen Bromm, RN, has successfully instructed 10 new certified trainers in the nationally-recognized Chronic Disease Self-Management Program®. The strategy is from the Self-Management Resource Center (SMRC) and was originally developed at Stanford University.

The new trainers are: Beth Miller, Melissa Barnao and Glenine Ryan, all RNs. Michele Garcia and Kim Sager, both LPNs and Valerie Santana, Administrative Assistant in Horizon’s Population Management group. Finally, Patricia “Patt” Smith, Lyndsay Brischoux, Valeria Palacios, and Eric Cruz, Licensed Master Social Workers who are part of Horizon’s Behavioral Health Team.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program® is an effective tool to help this population cope with their conditions. It is used internationally, including North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In a series of 13 studies performed between 1999 and 2007, the program was found to boost participants’ energy, considerably improving quality of life, augment psychological well-being, lower health distress, increase exercise and relaxation, and expand partnerships with clinicians.

In addition, there were an average of 2.5 fewer hospitalizations and Emergency Department visits. No significant decreases in overall improvement occurred in four-month and 12-month follow-up investigations, indicating that the effects of the program are long lasting.

Horizon participants utilized suggestions like reading food labels to learn about serving size and sodium and carbohydrate content; gratitude journal-writing to focus on the positive; weekly action planning, and reducing tasks to smaller doable steps; celebrating small victories and problem-solving barriers to success; listing pros and cons in decision-making and integrating better breathing techniques.

The free sessions, entitled “Steps to Healthier Living,” are fun with many group activities. They are open to caregivers as well as patients. Horizon has hosted two series of six-week classes this year.

Horizon will expand the daytime workshops to include Saturdays and evenings. They are held in Goshen and New Windsor.

For more information, call 458-8849 or go to horizonfamilymedical.com.