What Is the Driving Out Diabetes Initiative?
Driving Out Diabetes, a Larry H. Miller Family Foundation Initiative, empowers individuals and families to access optimal wellness – actively preventing and reducing the effects of diabetes in the state of Utah. It is uniquely organized as a combination of community, clinical, and research endeavors charged with increasing healthcare access, engaging community partners, and innovating across ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ.
Community Programs
Journey to ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ
Accessible nutrition education for underserved communities
Clinical Programs
ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ Coaching
Patient-centered lifestyle behavior change support
Join Our Fight Against Diabetes
Are you passionate about promoting wellness and preventing disease? Do you participate in a vision of Utah that triumphs over the destructiveness of diabetes? Become a champion of our cause and donate today to support the many DODI programs engaged in the fight.
Portraits of Impact
Lola works long hours in the fast food industry to support herself and her son. Though only 36 years old, she always feels tired. She was diagnosed with prediabetes five years ago. But it’s been two years since she last saw a doctor.
Lola was finally connected with ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah’s Wellness Bus. This mobile prevention program is part of the Driving Out Diabetes initiative funded by the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation.
The Wellness Bus seeks to reduce chronic disease by providing health services and screenings for community members at no cost. At her first visit, Lola met with clinical dietician Alex Hernandez. Lola’s fatigue was so severe, she had trouble staying awake during the appointment.
This is where Lola's wellness journey began. At her first visit with the Wellness Bus, Lola received screenings that confirmed her blood glucose levels were still in the prediabetes range and her cholesterol was high. Since then, Lola has received regular one-on-one health coaching to keep her informed and motivated to make positive changes in nutrition, exercise, and goal setting.
She was also referred to low-cost clinics that accept patients without insurance and programs aiding individuals with food insecurity. She enrolled in the National Diabetes Prevention Program and participated in a Spanish-speaking cohort organized and led by the Driving Out Diabetes Initiative.
Today, Lola is feeling energized, lighter, and better overall. She has established primary care with a Spanish-speaking provider. She has experienced weight loss, lowered her cholesterol, and gone from prediabetes to blood glucose levels in the healthy, normal range.
Her success has had a ripple effect across her family. Having witnessed her transformation, her son is motivated to adopt healthier habits for himself.
Leadership
Amy Locke, MD, FAAFP
Co-director, Driving Out Diabetes Initiative
Chief Wellness Officer, ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ
Director, Osher Center for Integrative ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ
Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
Paul Estabrooks, PhD
Co-director, Driving Out Diabetes Initiative
Associate Dean of Community Engagement, College of ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ
Professor, Department of ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ & Kinesiology
Scott Summers, PhD
Co-Director, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center
Chair and Distinguished Professor, Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
Jared Rutter, PhD
Co-director, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center
Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Member, Nuclear Control of Cell Growth and Differentiation Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute
Corrine Welt, MD
Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Contact Us
Emily Kay
Senior Manager, Diabetes Strategic Initiatives
emily.kay@hsc.utah.edu