Judith Nomura wasn’t expecting anything life-changing when she picked up the phone one afternoon. Susanna Jones, an integrated health advisor at HMSA, was on the other end of the line, asking Nomura if she might be interested in the HMSA Care Condition Program, a free service offered to members managing chronic health issues.
“I remember thinking, why not?” says Nomura, who has diabetes. “I knew I needed help; I just didn’t know where to start.”
At the time, Nomura’s A1C test, which measures the average amount of blood sugar over the last three months, was at 11%, indicating a high risk of diabetes complications. The number also told the story of how hard it had been for Nomura to manage her diabetes. Despite her efforts, nothing seemed to work long-term.
HMSA integrated health advisor Susanna Jones (left) with member Judith Nomura (right).
Jones explained that the Condition Care Program isn’t just one-on-one coaching; it’s a team approach. Registered nurses, dietitians, diabetes educators, and other health professionals all work together to support HMSA members. So, Nomura decided to give it a try.
The first step was focusing on her A1C. A diabetes educator helped Nomura understand what was happening in her body and how her choices, especially when it came to food, affected her health. From there, she learned how to build better habits. One of the biggest challenges was how much food she ate, especially when eating out.
“Portions were the hardest for me,” she admits. “But just having someone explain things in a way that made sense really helped.”
With consistent support and regular check-ins, Nomura began to see progress. Her A1C dropped steadily from 11% to 7.7%, a sign that the changes she was making were working. She also started feeling better, physically and mentally. What once felt like an uphill battle began to feel like a path she could walk confidently.
Check-ins between appointments were helpful.
Jones sees the role of the Condition Care team as a partner, not replacing doctors, but reinforcing goals and helping members like Nomura stay on track between appointments.
“We’re just an extra layer of support, a consistent reminder of the good things members want to do and someone to help them stick with it,” says Jones.
Nomura agrees that the acountability makes all the difference. “It really helps knowing someone’s going to call and check in,” she says. “That keeps me going.”
While her journey with diabetes is lifelong, Nomura feels hopeful about the road ahead. “It’s going to take a while,” she says, “but I feel like I’m getting better as the years go by.”
Her biggest advice for others who may also need some guidance on their health journey: Accept the help.
“These programs are here for a reason,” she says. “You don’t have to do it all alone.”
And sometimes, it can start with a single phone call.
Discover more
HMSA has a variety of programs and resources to help you be the healthiest you can be. Read the stories below:
a partnership for lung cancer screening awareness
HMSA partnered with Hawaii Pacific Health and the YMCA to share critical information about the importance of lung cancer screenings. Learn how HMSA is working to meet our members where they're at. HPH director Keith Miyashiro also shares how lung screenings make a difference.
hmsa and cvs bring heart health education to the community
At HMSA, meeting the health needs of the people of Hawaii continues to be a top priority. We teamed up with CVS to host a series of workshops about hypertension at our HMSA Centers throughout the state. Find out more about these workshops and why you should stop by an HMSA Center in your neighborhood.
hmsa is with you during your time of need
Though life is full of change, HMSA is here with you. Through our Case Management Program, we offer personalized support to help you understand and manage your health conditions and get access to the care you need. After Joan Wylie’s husband passed away, she felt lost and alone. But thanks to HMSA care manager and registered nurse Sharlene Cabuhat, Wylie got the support she needed and made a new lifelong friend.
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