OUR HISTORY
The History
of Mississippi Diabetes Network
Pandemic-Induced Innovation
The vision for the Network developed from the initial success Diabetes Solutions had among patients utilizing its services. Dr. Catherin Moring and Jennifer Taylor developed Diabetes Solutions as an answer for how they could continue seeing patients during the pandemic when in-person services were no longer possible. They later received almost a million dollars of federal funding in 2021 to pilot test Diabetes Solutions and provide coaching services in a primarily virtual format to patients with diabetes and prediabetes.
Proven Success Leads to Expansion
Providing one-on-one diabetes and nutrition coaching services to patients with diabetes, the program has served over 500 patients in 23 counties in Northwest Mississippi since 2021 and results in statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in A1c and weight as well as symptom improvement in over 30 symptoms.
New Vision for Mississippi
As Moring and Taylor were immersed in the development and growth of Diabetes Solutions, they began to see many other needs as it relates to diabetes care, management, and prevention in Mississippi. Together, with their team of existing partners, they began to brainstorm and make plans to formalize existing partnerships and obtain start-up funding for the Network. Over the course of 2022, Moring met with potential founding members, stakeholders, and partners, and together, developed a plan of action and deliverables for the Network. The team applied for the Health Services and Resources Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Health Network Development Program grant in December of 2022 and received funding in the summer of 2023. The grant is a 4-year, $1.2 million dollar opportunity to grow and sustain the Network. While the Network loosely formed in 2022, the funding opportunity was the catalyst to really move the Network forward.
Early Formation
Founding network members include Tallahatchie General Hospital (TGH), TGH Medical Foundation, University of Mississippi’s (UM) Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement (CREW), William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), The National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute (NDORI), Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi, and Baptist’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. The UM Department of Public Health is also a partner.
Working in Full Force
We, the Mississippi Diabetes Network, will work to address and combat diabetes in Mississippi in a myriad of ways. The Network partners encourage all health care providers in Mississippi to consider joining the Network’s referral network to be able to refer patients into Diabetes Solutions coaching services as well as have first-hand access to the Network’s additional resources and patient services. We also encourage anyone with or at risk for developing diabetes to utilize our array of resources and services to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, we can partner with community groups and worksites to conduct onsite health screenings for diabetes and hypertension as well as provide follow-up care and resources.
Statewide Expansion in Mind
While the primary target area for some of the Network’s deliverables (i.e., Diabetes Solutions services and onsite health screenings) is Northwest Mississippi, the intention is to grow the Network statewide. Some network deliverables, such as continuing medical education (CME) and online courses for patients and the general public, will be available statewide whereas access to one-on-one coaching services and screening events are currently only available to those in the 20-county service area. Payors, healthcare providers, people with diabetes, and their families and caregivers will all benefit from the Network’s services and resources.
Non-Stop, Purpose-Driven Pursuit
The key purpose of the Network is to address the massive burden diabetes places on our state, the healthcare system, and residents (and their families) living and suffering with diabetes and its related comorbidities. As such, the Network and its members are committed to excellence in diabetes care, management, and prevention strategies.
Our Primary Goals are to 1) Implement novel and promising strategies designed to improve diabetes care and management at both the patient and provider level; 2) Improve health outcomes and quality of life in residents with diabetes and/or those who are at risk for developing diabetes; 3) Reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment of diabetes and its related comorbidities; and 4) Reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in our service area.
Team, Leadership, & Visionaries
The Network’s key personnel include Moring, who will serve as the Project Director, Allison Tharp, the Network Director, Jennifer Tayler, Assistant Director, Rani Richard, Director of Finance, and Dr. Danielle Fastring, Network Evaluator.
The Network’s Governing Board includes: Dr. Stephen Farrow from NDORI, Dr. Danielle Fastring (Network Evaluator) and Dr. Bob Bateman from the COM, Dr. Seger Morris and Dr. Reid Davis from Baptist, Dr. Meagan Rosenthal and Dr. Annie Cafer from CREW, Dr. Catherine Moring from TGH Medical Foundation, Jim Blackwood CEO from TGH, and Dr. Allison Ford-Wade from the UM School of Applied Sciences.
Pandemic-Induced Innovation
The vision for the Network developed from the initial success Diabetes Solutions had among patients utilizing its services. Dr. Catherin Moring and Jennifer Taylor developed Diabetes Solutions as an answer for how they could continue seeing patients during the pandemic when in-person services were no longer possible. They later received almost a million dollars of federal funding in 2021 to pilot test Diabetes Solutions and provide coaching services in a primarily virtual format to patients with diabetes and prediabetes.
Proven Success Leads to Expansion
Providing one-on-one diabetes and nutrition coaching services to patients with diabetes, the program has served over 500 patients in 23 counties in Northwest Mississippi since 2021 and results in statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in A1c and weight as well as symptom improvement in over 30 symptoms.
New Vision for Mississippi
As Moring and Taylor were immersed in the development and growth of Diabetes Solutions, they began to see many other needs as it relates to diabetes care, management, and prevention in Mississippi. Together, with their team of existing partners, they began to brainstorm and make plans to formalize existing partnerships and obtain start-up funding for the Network. Over the course of 2022, Moring met with potential founding members, stakeholders, and partners, and together, developed a plan of action and deliverables for the Network. The team applied for the Health Services and Resources Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Health Network Development Program grant in December of 2022 and received funding in the summer of 2023. The grant is a 4-year, $1.2 million dollar opportunity to grow and sustain the Network. While the Network loosely formed in 2022, the funding opportunity was the catalyst to really move the Network forward.
Early Formation
Founding network members include Tallahatchie General Hospital (TGH), TGH Medical Foundation, University of Mississippi’s (UM) Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement (CREW), William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), The National Diabetes and obesity Research Institute (NDORI), Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi, and Baptist’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. The UM Department of Public Health is also a partner.
Working in Full Force
We, the Mississippi Diabetes Network, will work to address and combat diabetes in Mississippi in a myriad of ways. The Network partners encourage all health care providers in Mississippi to consider joining the Network’s referral network to be able to refer patients into Diabetes Solutions coaching services as well as have first-hand access to the Network’s additional resources and patient services. We also encourage anyone with or at risk for developing diabetes to utilize our array of resources and services to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, we can partner with community groups and worksites to conduct onsite health screenings for diabetes and hypertension as well as provide follow-up care and resources.
Statewide Expansion in Mind
While the primary target area for some of the Network’s deliverables (i.e., Diabetes Solutions services and onsite health screenings) is Northwest Mississippi, the intention is to grow the Network statewide. Some network deliverables, such as continuing medical education (CME) and online courses for patients and the general public, will be available statewide whereas access to one-on-one coaching services and screening events are currently only available to those in the 20-county service area. Payors, healthcare providers, people with diabetes, and their families and caregivers will all benefit from the Network’s services and resources.
Non-Stop, Purpose-Driven Pursuit
The key purpose of the Network is to address the massive burden diabetes places on our state, the healthcare system, and residents (and their families) living and suffering with diabetes and its related comorbidities. As such, the Network and its members are committed to excellence in diabetes care, management, and prevention strategies.
Our Primary Goals are to 1) Implement novel and promising strategies designed to improve diabetes care and management at both the patient and provider level; 2) Improve health outcomes and quality of life in residents with diabetes and/or those who are at risk for developing diabetes; 3) Reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment of diabetes and its related comorbidities; and 4) Reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in our service area.
Team, Leadership, & Visionaries
The Network’s key personnel include Moring, who will serve as the Project Director, Allison Tharp, the Network Director, Jennifer Tayler, Assistant Director, Rani Richard, Director of Finance, and Dr. Danielle Fastring, Network Evaluator.
The Network’s Governing Board includes: Dr. Stephen Farrow from NDORI, Dr. Danielle Fastring (Network Evaluator) and Dr. Bob Bateman from the COM, Dr. Seger Morris and Dr. Reid Davis from Baptist, Dr. Meagan Rosenthal and Dr. Annie Cafer from CREW, Dr. Catherine Moring from TGH Medical Foundation, Jim Blackwood CEO from TGH, and Dr. Allison Ford-Wade from the UM School of Applied Sciences.
