spotlightDiabetes and Heart Disease Can Be Deadly Combination The combination of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease can be deadly. New research from a global study led by a physician from UConn Health has found that patients with Type 2 diabetes admitted into the hospital for congestive heart failure face a one in four chance of dying over the next 18 months. The researchers are now trying to discover other new insights from data taken during the study, and find patterns of proteins known as biomarkers in the blood that might provide early signals for elevated risk of a second cardiovascular event. title-patient-stories Welcome to Possible patient stories – video + textMelissa's story 'Lifestyle Medicine Program Helps Patient Lose 160 Pounds' Melissa Dzierlatka was tired of feeling invisible. Weighing more than 365 pounds, people would rarely look her in the eye when they passed her on the street. Along with her mental health, Melissa’s physical health was suffering.

When she was diagnosed as borderline diabetic, she knew things had to change. That’s when she went to see physician assistant Bradley Biskup with Calhoun Cardiology’s Lifestyle Medicine Program. He helped Melissa lose weight, improve her health, and feel like herself again. Upcoming EventsAll Events »UConn Health is committed to providing a place for individuals to share common concerns, emotional support, as well as to exchange information. UConn Health offers a full range of seminars, classes, and support groups to help you manage your health. This group is led by a family who has experienced loss, along with nursing staff from Connecticut Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. First Tuesday of each month; First Saturday of each month; Living with Heart Disease: A free education-based support group series for individuals interested in learning about living life with heart disease. Topics include coping with heart disease, nutrition, medication, meal planning, and managing stress.

Registration is required as seating is limited.Contact Sue Eisenberg at 860-679-3633. Every Wednesday of each month; 7 to 9 p.m.2nd Floor Waiting Room, UConn Health. Please use main hospital entrance.Please call before attending the first time. Second Wednesday of each month; Second Tuesday of each month; 6 to 7:30 p.m.UConn HealthRSVP to Bonnie Hennig at 860-679-4063 or 860-679-4441, or hennig@uchc.edu. Third Wednesday of each month; Maine Coon Kittens For Sale Near Missouri Free and open to the public.Homes For Sale Glade BcContact Jack Lardis at 203-510-5465.Homes For Sale In Drake Forest Chattanooga Tn6 to 7 p.m.Neonatal Conference Room, Ground Floor, UConn HealthContact Deb Feigenbaum at 860-679-2377 for next meeting date.

The Ready to Lose Weight Management Program is a six-week weight loss program led by a registered dietitian. It is based on teaching individuals how to adopt healthy behaviors to lose weight slowly and permanently. Our program focuses on empowering individuals to make behavioral changes such as adopting a low-fat, plant-based diet; exercise, and using mindful eating techniques. The program consists of an introductory class where you will receive a personalized meal plan, followed by five classes that will consist of a weigh-in, discussion of progress; and a timely nutrition topic such as eating out strategies, cooking light and right, emotional eating, exercise, smart shopping, and mindful eating and holiday eating. Cost is $70, or $50 for past participants. Payment is due at time of class by cash or check. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Outpatient Pavilion, 2nd Floor East at UConn Health in Farmington. New sessions begin on the following dates: Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register.

RESOLVE is a national nonprofit, charitable organization that offers referral, counseling and support groups to people with problems of infertility and education and assistance to associated professionals. Four times a year: March, May, September, November; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Onyiuke Dining Room (Main Floor near the Food Court), UConn HealthContact MaryBeth Walter at 860-569-6933. Two times a year, in the spring and fall.Onyiuke Dining Room (Main Floor near the Food Court), UConn HealthContact Laura Joseph at 860-739-0542. UConn Health’s Stroke Center invites stroke survivors, families, and caregivers to a monthly group meeting to discuss issues surrounding life after having a stroke. Discussion topics: stroke prevention, coping methods, support systems, rehab tips, resources, and promoting independence. Fourth Wednesday of each monthOutpatient Pavilion, 3rd Floor, Large Conference RoomContact Jennifer Sposito, R.N., B.S.N., UConn Health Stroke Center Coordinator, 860-679-4846.

InCHIP’s obesity research seeks multilevel approaches to evaluate and change the individual, social, and environmental factors contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic. Since the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity has come to UConn, there has been increased work examining public health policies which affect consumer levels of obesity. Examples of obesity research projects include working with parents and pediatricians to address childhood obesity, studying the cultural contexts of health disparities among adolescents, involving spouses or parents in weight loss efforts, and analyzing the impact of food advertisements and public service announcements (PSAs) on child and teen eating habits and weight. Other key projects include the Healthy Food Environments Initiative at UConn, which promotes community-wide approaches to prevent obesity and increase food security through healthy food environments and increased physical activity, and the Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace (CPH-NEW) at the UConn Health Center, which designs multifaceted health promotion interventions to improve worker health.

InCHIP Associate Director and Clinical Psychologist Amy Gorin, Ph.D., chairs InCHIP’s Obesity Research Interest Group (ORIG) which brings together researchers and stakeholders from the greater Connecticut community who share a common interest in understanding, preventing, and treating obesity and related co-morbidities. To find more information about InCHIP’s ORIG, please visit our Research Interest Groups page. Valerie B. Duffyvalerie.duffy@uconn.eduAnn Ferris, PhD, RDaferris@uchc.eduJudith Fifield, PhD, RNfifield@nso1.uchc.eduMeg Gerrardmeg.gerrard@uconn.eduDebarchana (Debs) Ghoshdebarchana.ghosh@uconn.eduRick Gibbonsrick.gibbons@uconn.eduAmy Gorinamy.gorin@uconn.eduBlair Johnsonblair.t.johnson@uconn.eduWilliam Kraemer, PhDkraemer.44@osu.eduStephanie Milan, PhDstephanie.milan@uconn.eduAmy R. Mobley, PhD, RDamy.mobley@uconn.eduLinda Pescatellolinda.pescatello@uconn.eduJason D. Seacat, PhDjs289636@wne.eduLeslie SnyderLeslie.Snyder@chip.uconn.eduJaci VanHeest, PhDjaci.vanheest@uconn.eduAna Volek, PhDana.volek@uconn.eduJeff Volek, PhD, RDvolek.1@osu.edu