J&J debuts diabetes training center

MILPITAS, Calif. — Taking aim at the diabetes epidemic with a bid to foster healthcare provider partnerships, Johnson & Johnson has opened a first-of-its-kind training center to improve how practitioners deliver diabetes care in local communities.

The new Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute is “part of a new global initiative to provide health professionals with the latest information about innovative practice models and ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies,” according to J&J. The center, opened in late February in this California community, will provide free training in diabetes care and patient management.

J&J said it would underwrite all program costs for health professionals to attend the center, including travel and accommodations. Those who come will go through a two-day intensive course offered twice a week.

“At the new center, thousands of community-based clinicians will be trained in innovative practice models and ways to use new diabetes technologies to solve patient problems,” a J&J spokesperson stated. “This includes receiving training and access to new Web-based technologies just becoming available that show fluctuations in patients’ blood-glucose levels by the hour.”

National diabetes specialists developed the curriculum and will teach specific courses, according to the company.

The institute’s grand opening included a national town hall-style meeting, hosted by Griffin Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, where health experts discussed the state of diabetes care. The event also drew Congressman Mike Honda, a member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, and American Idol contender Elliot Yamin, who has Type 1 diabetes.