Mega Doctor News
EDINBURG, Texas – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes affects nearly 1 in 10 people nationwide. In Texas, the rate is even higher at 1 in 8 people. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, the numbers are concerning, with 1 in 3 people living with diabetes. As the nation observes National Diabetes Month this November, DHR Health is proud to announce that it has earned the Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Certification from The Joint Commission—a milestone that reflects the hospital’s commitment to meeting this urgent health need. This disease-specific care certification is held by fewer than 50 hospitals nationwide and only four in Texas.
This recognition means patients hospitalized with diabetes at DHR Health receive care that meets the highest national standards. Doctors and nurses are trained in evidence-based practices that reduce complications, improve recovery, and provide patients with tools to better manage their health.
“This certification shows that our community does not have to travel far to find world-class diabetes care,” said Dr. Marcel Twahirwa, endocrinologist and medical director of the DHR Health Diabetes & Endocrinology Institute. “We know how serious and widespread diabetes is in the Valley, and our team is committed to making sure every patient receives the safest, most effective care possible both in the hospital and in our outpatient clinic.”
Of the four hospitals in Texas with this advanced certification, only two are acute care hospitals, including DHR Health. That makes DHR Health the only large hospital system in Texas with this recognition, ensuring Valley residents have access to care that very few communities nationwide can offer.
“Very few hospitals take on the work required to achieve this certification because it demands so much from every level of care,” said Dr. Surya Narayan Mulukutla, endocrinologist and leader of the Inpatient Diabetes Program at DHR Health. “At DHR Health, our dedicated team welcomes that challenge because our patients deserve nothing less than the highest quality of diabetes care.”
Hospitalized patients with diabetes face unique challenges because the disease can weaken the immune system and slow healing, putting them at greater risk for serious health complications. Achieving this certification means DHR Health has invested in the extra time, training, and teamwork required to safeguard these vulnerable patients and help them recover more safely.
“Providing patients access to the best possible care is our top priority,” added Marissa Castaneda, senior executive vice president at DHR Health. “In a region where diabetes is highly prevalent, this achievement is proof that we are rising to meet the challenge and investing in our community’s health.”
This milestone reflects DHR Health’s ongoing dedication to excellence in patient care and its responsibility to meet the unique health needs of the Rio Grande Valley.
