Dr. Mary Vaccarello-Cruz, M.D.

Dr. Mary Vaccarello-Cruz, M.D.
Pediatric Endocrinologist
Medical Director of the Diabetes Center

"I am most thrilled about a unique program that will address lifestyle changes for families to reduce the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. This disease is often
called "diabesity" because it is most often associated
with obesity.

The Diabetes Center at the Mollie Wilmot Children’s Center will provide services specific to the needs of Palm Beach County children and adolescents with diabetes regardless of socioeconomic means. Services will range from psychosocial and nutritional counseling to pharmacotherapy and clinical research. Diabetes education will focus on the individual as well as the family unit in a unique setting. There will be a special emphasis on educational programs that reach beyond the Center to the community and our schools."

 
Marilyn Parker, Ph.D., RN, FAAN,
Professor, Florida Atlantic Universty
Director, Center for Innovation in School and Community Well Being

Mollie Wilmot Children's
Diabetes Prevention, Education, Management & Research Center

There are nearly 1,000 Type 1 Juvenile Diabetics in Palm Beach County. However, Type 1 is only the tip of the iceberg. Type 2 Diabetes is rapidly becoming a major health threat to our youth. Families need educational support about diet, exercise, glucose monitoring, insulin injections and more.

The Diabetes Prevention, Education, Management and Research Center will be developed and managed by the Community Wellness Center Program of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in collaboration with the Gregory School of Pharmacy at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU). The Center will be staffed by certified diabetes educators, nutritionists, outreach workers, researchers and pharmacists. The program will provide family-centered preventive and therapeutic interventions for children with diabetes and for those at risk for the disease; assist with medication management; and conduct grant-funded research on interventions.

The Medical Director of the program is respected local pediatric endocrinologist, Mary Vaccarello-Cruz, M.D., joined by Dr. Marilyn Parker, Director of the FAU Community Wellness Centers and Dr. Seena Zierler-Brown, Director of Integrated Pharmacotherapy Services at PBAU.

Seena Zierler-Brown, Pharm.D.,
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Director of integrated Pharmacotheraphy Services,
Palm Beach Atlantic University