Amanda (Host): This is Community Connect presented by Tampa General Hospital.
I'm Amanda Wilde.
Joining me today our lead Diabetes nurse specialist Laura Gill, and
Director of Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition, Latoya Connor, Dr.
Connor, Laura, welcome.
I'm excited to hear your insights and expertise on diabetes.
It's a disease that affects so many of us.
Laura Gil, MSN: Yes, And we are so glad to be here today because conversations
like this matter and diabetes affects so many people, yet it's often misunderstood.
And as diabetes educators, our passion has.
Always been to help people move forward from fear and confusion
to confidence and clarity, because when people feel supported and
informed, real change happens.
Amanda (Host): So, Laura, can you share a little about what
inspired you to become an educator?
Laura Gil, MSN: Yes.
I think back to early on in my career when I was working on a busy transplant
unit and I was asked to translate diabetes education for a Spanish speaking
patient even back then, I saw firsthand how overwhelming diabetes diagnosis
can be and diabetes shows up in.
almost every area of healthcare, but education is what empowers patient's
and where lives truly change.
Helping people understand their condition, feeling empowered and
regaining a sense of control, has been the most meaningful part of my career.
Amanda (Host): This is interesting what you said about diabetes
affecting so many people.
I understand there are millions that don't even know they have the disease.
leads me to wonder, what are some of the common misconceptions you hear from
patient's or families about diabetes?
Laura Gil, MSN: Yes.
we definitely have that.
And one of the biggest misconceptions is that diabetes is, About willpower
and doing everything perfectly but in reality, diabetes is complex and
influenced by genetics, hormones, stress, illness, and medication.
So it's not about perfection, it's about progress, learning and giving
yourself grace along the way.
Amanda (Host): You lead a monthly support group for people living with
diabetes, and I can already tell that you are on fire about this subject.
What kind of impact have you seen these groups make in people's lives?
Laura Gil, MSN: So, yeah, our support groups remind people that they're
not alone, and I've seen individuals, walk in feeling discouraged and
leave feeling hopeful and connected.
When people share experiences from one another and feel understood, it
reduces fear and builds confidence in managing diabetes day to day.
Amanda (Host): You mentioned it can be an overwhelming diagnosis, Laura, for someone
newly diagnosed with diabetes, what are the first steps you recommend they take
to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed?
Laura Gil, MSN: yeah, so when somebody's newly diagnosed, my first advice to
that person is to pause and breathe.
so you don't have to learn everything all at once.
just start with small steps and ask questions, and lean
on your healthcare team.
Diabetes is a journey, and empowerment comes from taking
one manageable step at a time.
Amanda (Host): On that note, Dr.
Connor, there is so much information out there.
How can people know what diabetes advice or sources to trust
Latoya Connor, DNP: Thank you, Amanda.
There's a lot of information online and not all information are always helpful.
And, and accurate.
But I encourage your, patient's, to just trust evidence-based sources
like the American Diabetes Association as our number one cornerstone.
if you have a certified diabetes educator, when you show up at your
appointments And also always your providers will providing care for you
if something promises, a quick fix, that kind of sounds like a red flag.
So we try to tell our patient's, not to just jump on every quick fix that's
out there.
Amanda (Host): Mm-hmm.
What are some of the resources Tampa General Hospital provides
to support people living with diabetes in our community?
Dr.
Connor,
Latoya Connor, DNP: Tampa General Hospital offers diabetes education,
individualized counseling, structured classes, and ongoing support groups.
We leave these, twice monthly.
We also help patient's transition safely from our hospital states
when they're acutely ill to home by connecting them with outpatient
resources and follow-up appointments.
Amanda (Host): Dr.
Connor, if you could give one message of hope or encouragement
to anyone struggling with diabetes right now, what would that be?
Latoya Connor, DNP: One message of hope is if you think that you're
failing, then you're not alone.
Diabetes is challenging, but it does not define you with education
and support, self-compassion.
You can live a full and meaningful life, and we're always here to support.
Amanda (Host): Thank you so much, both of you, for sharing the ways
in which education can provide support and empowerment for those
of us suffering with diabetes.
Latoya Connor, DNP: you for having us.
Thank you, Amanda.
Amanda (Host): That has been Lead Diabetes Nurse specialist Laura
Gill and Director of Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition, Dr.
Latoya Connor.
For more information, visit tgh.org/endo.
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I'm Amanda Wild, and This is Community Connect, presented by TGH.
Thanks for listening.