Federal grant partnership aims to deliver evidence-based chronic disease management programs for older adults
The School of Public and Population Health (SPPH) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) recently hosted representatives from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) for their first official site visit since receiving a federal grant in 2023. The visit highlighted UTMB's implementation of evidence-based chronic disease self-management education programs for older adults.
Federal Partnership Making Real Impact
UTMB is one of just 10 institutions nationwide selected to receive this competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living. The NCOA-accredited programs implemented at UTMB focus on empowering older adults with chronic conditions and their caregivers to live active, healthy lives through evidence-based programs.
"We're proud of this partnership that allows us to create meaningful health interventions for our community's seniors," explained Dr. Hani Serag, MD, MPH, Principal Investigator and Director of the Division of Global Partnership at SPPH. "What makes these programs particularly effective is that they've been rigorously tested and proven to work in diverse settings."
The two-day site visit in early April brought NCOA representatives Kathryn Zahm, MPA, PMP (Director, Health Promotion Programs), Catherine Han, LMSW, CAPM (Program Specialist), and Denisha Hobbs, MPA (Program Specialist) to Galveston to meet with UTMB leadership and community partners implementing these vital programs.
Community Partnerships Expanding Access
During their visit, the NCOA team met with UTMB leadership including Dr. Kristen Peek, PhD, Dr. Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA, Dr. Cara Pennel, DrPH, MPH, Dr. Mandy Hill, DrPH, MPH, and Dr. Alan Landay, PhD.
A key component of the site visit involved connecting with the network of community partners essential to the program's success:
- Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UTMB, represented by Mary Ann Pedraza, Associate Director of Business Operations
- Galveston County Parks and Cultural Services, represented by Director Julie Walker
- Moody Methodist Church in Galveston
- The Nessler Center for Seniors in Texas City, represented by Director Leonora Mata
- Evelyn Meador Library in Seabrook, represented by Branch Manager Milagros Andrada-Tanega
"Our community partners spoke very highly of our programs," noted Dr. Hanaa Sallam, MD, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator and assistant professor in the Global Partnerships Division at SPPH. "During the visit, participants shared their success stories, with one explaining how they could now move easily forgetting her walker or cane. Seeing these results firsthand really reinforces the meaningful impact of our work."
Building Integrated Models of Care
The programs implemented through this grant represent a comprehensive approach to chronic disease management, including:
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)
- Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)
- Chronic Disease Toolkit
- Health Coaches for Hypertension Control (HCH)
- Walk with Ease (WWE)
- Geri-Fit
"This funding is enabling us to provide opportunities for integrated models of care," Dr. Serag emphasized. "In addition to the clinical care that UTMB is providing, we add components that include behavioral change and lifestyle modifications."
Student Engagement Creates Model for Others
NCOA representatives were particularly impressed with UTMB's approach to student involvement in the programs. Students gain valuable hands-on experience by helping verify patient eligibility, conducting A1c and blood pressure measurements, supporting recruitment at health fairs, and even leading workshops with older adults.
"We were very pleased to see the partnerships and meet more of the staff at UTMB," said Denisha Hobbs, Program Specialist at NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging. "Dr. Kristen Peek shared that one of the top priorities for the university is to focus on chronic diseases. Students are getting hands-on experiential learning at UTMB."
This innovative student engagement model made such an impression that NCOA has asked UTMB to create documentation for other grantees nationwide who might want to implement similar approaches.
Real-World Impact on Participants
A highlight of the visit was the opportunity for NCOA representatives to observe program sessions and meet directly with participants. The team observed the final session of a Health Coaches for Hypertension Control class at Evelyn Meador Library at Seabrook and heard powerful testimonials from both participants and program leaders.
"Connecting with the participants and hearing about their health concerns and outcomes from attending the program was wonderful," Hobbs reflected.
For the program's principal investigators, these interactions were equally meaningful. "It was the first time I, as the PI, met participants directly," Dr. Serag noted. "We went to the places where programs are held, and participants started to share how the program impacted them personally. It was really impressive to see the real human impact of our work."
Expanding Healthcare Integration for Broader Impact
The successful site visit has reinforced the strong partnership between UTMB and NCOA, with potential for expansion to reach even more community members in need of these evidence-based programs.
"We aspire to institutionalize these programs within the healthcare system," Dr. Serag explained, noting that the team is working to incorporate program referrals directly into UTMB's electronic medical records system to streamline the process for physicians to connect patients with these valuable resources.
To learn more about these NCOA-accredited Evidence-based Programs, please visit www.utmb.edu/diabetes
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