News & Events

BD Diabetes Makeover Program Continues to Yield Positive Results

2005 Participants Add to Program Success Stories

Franklin Lakes, NJ  (December 12, 2005) –

BD Medical-Diabetes Care, a unit of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced today the results of its second national BD Diabetes Makeover Program. The five program participants each achieved successful results, demonstrating the positive impacts of a comprehensive approach to diabetes care.

"The BD Diabetes Makeover Program takes a comprehensive approach to diabetes care, which is particularly important given the many dimensions of this disease," says Harvey Katzeff, M.D., BD Diabetes Dream Team member and chief of the Division of Endocrinology at NorthShore - Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New York. "This is our third program, and our third successful effort. With each program, we have been able to demonstrate that good diabetes control is achievable.”

As featured on the CNBC television show dLife, the BD Diabetes Dream Team—a group of the nation’s leading clinical, diabetes education, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle organization experts—provided participants in the 2005 BD Diabetes Makeover Program with comprehensive health and lifestyle evaluations and individualized care programs to improve their diabetes management. These plans included updated medication regimens, education on diabetes self-management practices, personalized fitness plans, nutrition guidance, lifestyle management skills and ongoing support.

“Our participants and the Dream Team are inspirations to people with diabetes,” said Bill Marshall, President, BD Medical-Diabetes Care. "The BD Diabetes Makeover Program, along with BD’s state-of-the-art diabetes care products, exemplifies our commitment to making it possible for people with diabetes to control their care and live healthier lives."

Participant Results

After the initial eleven-week period, the five participants showed an approximate 30% reduction in A1c (HbA1c) levels that represent an average fall of 120 mg/dl of blood glucose.The A1c test is a simple way to determine the average amount of glucose in a person’s blood over a two-to three-month period, and is the best way to evaluate if a person’s blood glucose levels are under control.These tests are the standard metric for diabetes care.

Results of the 2004 BD Diabetes Makeover Program were published in the 2005 ADA Scientific Session and presented at the 2005 AADE Annual Conference.

"I am honored to be a part of this program, because it shows that people can really improve their diabetes with the right tools, information and support," said Gary Hall Jr., 2004 Olympic gold medalist who has type 1 diabetes and serves as spokesperson for the program and motivational coach for the participants. "It’s an approach that works and an approach to which I am committed."

The BD Diabetes Dream Team

• Endocrinologist, Dr. Harvey Katzeff - Chief of the Division of Endocrinology at North Shore - Long Island Jewish Medical Center, program director of the Endocrinology Training Program and medical director of the Obesity Management Program at North Shore - Long Island Jewish Medical Center
• Diabetes Nurse Educator, Andrea Zaldivar - Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator and Clinical Director, North General Diagnostic and Treatment Center, New York
• Registered Dietician, Ann Fittante - Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center Education Affiliate at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle
• Exercise Physiologist, Paul Frickman - Diabetes exercise coordinator, wellness lecturer and intramural administrator at the Florida Hospital Diabetes Center, Orlando
• Professional Organizer, Pam Kelly - Professional organizer, redesigner and owner of Pam Kelly Interiors, Chicago

For more information on the BD Diabetes Makeover Program, program participants, the BD Diabetes Dream Team or to find out how to apply for the next BD Diabetes Makeover Program, please visit: www.bd.com/diabetes_makeover.

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. To learn more about BD please visit www.bd.com.