Olubunni Sonubi, RN is the Diabetes Nurse Educator at Harlem Hospital Center in the Ambulatory Care Center. Due to the epidemic of diabetes in Central Harlem community, Harlem Hospital Center saw the need to provide interventions. She was appointed the Diabetes Nurse Coordinator in November 2001.

In order to improve the care rendered to diabetic patients, Olubunni Sonubi monitors the delivery of diabetes care and the criteria used in delivering the care to diabetic patients. In September of 2002, she was instrumental in initiating the Diabetes Support Group. The program has been a success and an asset to the patients, their families and the community at large. This program serves to educate, support and foster autonomy among the members. The patients in the support group are motivated to play a central role in their care. When a patient satisfaction survey was conducted 90% of these patients verbalized how these groups have helped them in managing their diabetes. Patients are also seen on an individual basis for diabetes self-management education.

In 2003, Olubunni Sonubi was selected to be part of Harlem Hospital Diabetes Collaborative core team. As a part of this team she was designated the Clinical Support Champion. She was able to develop a fact sheet and self-management goals that are used in the medical clinic as educational tools. Olubunni Sonubi was also a part of the team which developed a template to schedule and refer patients for diabetes self-management education in the clinic. Her focus was to empower the patients in their self-management. Olubunni Sonubi has participated in additional collaborative sponsored training in self management support, and with her contributions to the team, Harlem’s progress on working with patients on self management is steadily increasing, with over 50% of their expanded population of focus (185 diabetics) now having self management goals in place.

Due to the expansion of the program Olubunni Sonubi has become involved in educating the physician, nurses and support staff in the used of self management goal tools. In the process, she became a Certified Diabetes Educator. Olubunni Sonubi remains enthusiastic and optimistic that with the help of entire team, the patients will achieve their goals in this aspect of chronic care model.