Interning at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital has been quite the experience. When I first found out I would be at this particular internship site, I had no idea what I wanted to focus my project on. However, after teaming up with my preceptor Anna, we were able to come up with an Idea. We decided that I should create a manual/handbook that provides resources for low-income individuals with diabetes in the Hampton Roads area. To get a real understanding of diabetes and the different effects it has on the body, I shadowed my preceptor on the hospital floor while she visited patients with diabetes. While on the floor, I witnessed Anna provide diabetes education to each patient. Some of the patients have dealt with diabetes throughout most of their life, so they already had knowledge of their condition. Some listened and received the information Anna brought to their attention, while some rejected everything they were told. However, despite their response, Anna worked hard to deliver education about diabetes, and I am steadily learning so much from her.

While interning, I have also had the privilege of attending an in-person diabetes nutrition and self-management course. In this class, I was able to hear first-hand about people’s life experiences with diabetes. From being on the floor to listening in on these diabetes courses, I was able to think of and pull together different resources that I believe to be useful for these individuals. In the manual/handbook thus far, I have created a resource guide of clinics available to low-income individuals with diabetes in the Hampton Roads. Along with that, I have also implemented resources for affordable housing and affordable diabetic medications and supplies.

Throughout this internship, the number of individuals with diabetes who have no insurance have become very prevalent. Many reasons can account for this gap in this community; however, to help address the situation, I have provided application details and resources for individuals looking to enroll or interested in enrolling in Medicaid or Medicare. Healthy eating habits and normal fitness routines/exercise habits have also been discussed heavily in the management of diabetes. For this reason, I located a multitude of different recreational centers all around the Hampton Roads area that provide different services at affordable prices; Along with a very detailed list of soup kitchens and food pantries available to those with low-income. Even transportation services are provided in the manual/handbook if anyone ever needs help to get to and from these recreational centers, food pantries, soup kitchens and etc.

I am still steadily learning more and more about diabetes education. So much more is yet to come, and I am super excited to be a help to this community. I know this manual/handbook will be beneficial in so many ways.