Local Impact - California


Amy Lemmer

Sonoma County Indian Health Project

“I truly believe that Diabetes is robbing us as a community of our elders’ wisdom, as they die too young. The SDPI Healthy Traditions program, by concentrating on prevention, not only gives people hope of a healthier future for all our Nations, but it also gives us the tools to fulfill that future.”
- Amy Lemmer

I was introduced to the SDPI Healthy Traditions program at a time when I was struggling with my health and my weight. I had previously participated in a similar program at Kaiser, but I found that program ineffective because of its individualistic and lecture oriented approach. When I went to the SDPI Healthy Traditions program, I found that it was culturally sensitive, appropriate, and effective. Healthy Traditions is a community based program that relies on and encourages family and community participation. I was always shy about moving my body in front of other people, however the program made me feel comfortable and among friends. My shyness was understood and respected.

Healthy Traditions always presented information in a welcoming and interactive manner – we would often eat and try unfamiliar things together and exercise together. My experience at Healthy Traditions was more than just physical it was also spiritual. I had recently been laid off and was feeling a sense of scarcity and loss when I was introduced to the Ya Ka Ama garden through the program. Being able to see the plants growing more fresh produce than I could even eat or give away, I experienced abundance pouring forth from the earth herself. This was not only a blessing but also a lesson. The garden renewed my faith.

I can say first hand that SDPI is making a difference in my community and my life. I truly believe that Diabetes is robbing us as a community of our elders’ wisdom, as they die too young. Diabetes care is taking so many resources that could be used for cultural education and services for our people. It is a disease that is costing us too much. The SDPI Healthy Traditions program, by concentrating on prevention, not only gives people hope of a healthier future for all our Nations, but it also gives us the tools to fulfill that future.

Diabetes in California

According to 2008 CDC data, approximately 2,220,000 people in California – 8.3% of the state’s population – had diagnosed diabetes, and many of them suffer from serious complications or conditions. In addition to the human toll diabetes places on people in California, the financial burden diabetes places on the health care system in the state is staggering – in 2007, the approximate direct and indirect cost of diabetes in California was approximately $24.42 billion.

Stories & Progams

Diabetes Program Participants
Tell us more about your journey with Diabetes by filling out this form

Diabetes Care Providers
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Alabama

The Poarch Creek Indian Community
Community Diabetes Support Group

Alaska

Charlotte McConnell
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Lifestyle Balance and Diabetes Prevention Program

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation
Annual Diabetes Walk

Southcentral Foundation Special Diabetes Program for Indians

Arizona

NEW!
Celia Milner
CHR Department, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians

Marlene Valentine -
Navajo Special Diabetes Project

Rudy Clark
Hualapai Healthy Heart Project

California

NEW!
Karen
Case Manager
United American Indian Involvement

NEW!
Jackie Patton
Chapa-De Indian Clinic

Amy Lemmer
Sonoma County Indian Health Project

Alberta Manuel
Sonoma County Indian Health

Connecticut

Mohegan Tribe
Uncasville, CT

Hawaii

Anela Lautalo

Idaho

Christie Lussoro
Nimiipuu Health Diabetes Program

Iowa

Becky Youngbear-Alvarado
Meskwaki Diabetes Prevention Program

Kansas

Stephanie Crawford
Haskell Health Center Diabetes Prevention Program

Louisiana

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians

Maine

Aroostook Band of MicMac

Michigan

Tracy L. Sagataw
Hannahville Indian Community Clinic Diabetes Program

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Rebecca Price
Pokagon Health Services Special Diabetes Program for Indians

Minnesota

Arne Vainio, MD
Fond du Lac Human Services Diabetes Prevention Program

Mississippi

Pastor Thomas Ben
Fond du Lac Human Services Diabetes Prevention Program

Samuel Amos
Fond du Lac Human Services Diabetes Prevention Program

Montana

Faye Filesteel
Fort Belknap Healthy Heart Project

Nebraska

Clarissa Hoffman
Ho-Chunk Hope Diabetes Prevention

New Mexico

NEW!
Judy Reuter
Santa Ana Pueblo
Elsie R. Pino
Ramah Navajo Heart Saver Project
Erlene Sandoval
Navajo Special Diabetes Project

New York

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Let’s Get Healthy Program

North Carolina

Ulela Harris
Cherokee Diabetes Program

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Cherokee, NC

North Dakota

Cheryl Donoven
On Eagles Wings Diabetes Prevention Program

Oklahoma

Terry Williams
Black Hawk Health Center

Allen Dale
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) Get SET & Fight Diabetes program

Read more about OKCIC (PDF)


Glendine Blanchard
Absentee Shawnee Tribe Healthy Heart Program

Oregon

NEW!
Dylan Jones
NARA Northwest

Taylor David
Klamath Diabetes Prevention Program Cow Creek Consortium

Shirley Heath
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program

Jennifer Smith
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program

Larry Smith
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program

Rhode Island

Mary Lou Stanton
Narangansett Indian Health Clinic-Diabetes Program

South Carolina

Catawba Indian Nation
Special Diabetes Program for Indians

South Dakota

Pete Fills the Pipe
Pine Ridge IHS Diabetes Prevention Program

Utah

Reggie Martinez
Uintah & Ouray IHS Clinic - Healthy Heart Project

Washington

NEW!
Christina Hicks
SDPI-Community Direct Diabetes Grant
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

Buddy and Les Hoptowit (Brothers)
Yakama Indian Health Center Healthy Heart Project

Wisconsin

Marion Reynolds
St. Croix Healthy Heart Program

Wanda McFaggen
St. Croix Healthy Heart Program

Wendell Waukau
Menominee Diabetes Program

Wyoming

Regina Whiteplume
Eastern Shoshone Diabetes Program