Gwinnett Medical Center will host the Trends in Diabetes 2008 conference on April 25 at the GHS Resource Center in Lawrenceville.

The conference is designed for physicians, physicians' assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators, dietitians and other health care professionals. Topics will include diabetes medications, evaluating and managing gestational diabetes, managing renal patients with diabetes and using insulin pumps to manage Type 2 diabetes.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The $50 fee includes breakfast and lunch.

The conference is free for physicians and Gwinnett Medical Center hospital associates, but they must register on NetLearning. Other participants must register by calling 678-442-5000 or by visiting www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org and clicking on classes and events.

HEART WALK AWARD: Betsy Jackson, director of risk management at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, received the 2007 Metro Atlanta Heart Walk Lifestyle Change Award from the American Heart Association. The award is given to people who improve their quality of life and health.

"I was so thrilled to receive this award. By changing my lifestyle, I was able to get my blood pressure, weight and cholesterol all within a normal range," Jackson said.

Jackson participated in the Metro Atlanta Heart Walk as a member of one of Piedmont Newnan Hospital's walking teams. The event raised more than $25,000 for the American Heart Association.

BEST IN CARDIAC CARE: Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta was recognized as best in Atlanta for overall cardiac care and cardiac surgery in the 2008 HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study. The study identifies key trends in the quality of care provided by about 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

Piedmont is the only hospital in metro Atlanta to attain both the Cardiac Care and Cardiac Surgery Excellence Awards, and it's one of only 108 hospitals in the country to earn that distinction.

ALS CERTIFICATION: The Medical College of Georgia's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic recently became the 31st nationally certified ALS practice site in the United States. It is the only one in Georgia.

The ALS Association of Georgia announced the certification at its 20th anniversary celebration dinner in December. The organization also awarded the clinic the Collaborative Partner Award for demonstrating compassion and commitment to serve those affected by Lou Gehrig's disease.

CANCER PROGRAM: The Commission on Cancer has awarded a three-year approval with commendation to DeKalb Medical Cancer Center in Decatur. The center will be accredited for three years and was recognized for demonstrating excellence in key areas.

"Our top priority is day-to-day excellence in serving patients and their families. This latest award acknowledges that commitment," said Eric Norwood, DeKalb Medical president and CEO.

WORK-SITE WELLNESS: According to data compiled by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN), work-site wellness programs, including weight-management and tobacco-cessation initiatives, are helping employees stay healthy and benefiting employers' bottom lines.

In a survey commissioned by the AAOHN, nearly half of the respondents who participated in workplace weight-management programs reported success in reaching and maintaining their long-term goals.

Employers have helped employees quit smoking by establishing smoke-free environments and paying for them to attend smoking-cessation classes.

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