Clemson recognized for helping individuals manage diabetes, lead healthier lives

Clemson University’s Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) program received the 2025 Priester Culture of Health Award, a prestigious national recognition of its measurable contributions to health and well-being across the state.

HED was developed through collaboration between Clemson Extension and Clemson’s Department of Public Health Sciences, working in partnership with South Carolina health systems. The program is reaching rural and underserved populations and equipping communities with tools to manage chronic disease and live healthier lives.

“Health Extension for Diabetes leverages research expertise in Clemson Public Health Sciences with community outreach and advocacy expertise in Clemson Extension.  The program is reaching people living with diabetes in the most underserved areas of the state, improving health outcomes for participants and communities,” said Windsor Sherrill, Clemson associate vice president for health research.

Presented annually, the Priester Award highlights Extension initiatives that provide strong leadership and innovative approaches to improve public health. Launched in 2018, the Health Extension for Diabetes Program exemplifies this mission by helping people manage diabetes and lead healthy lives. Funded by the Greenville Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association, HED empowers individuals through education, access to care and community-based partnerships. Since inception, HED has served more than 1,500 individuals.  Participants report significant improvements in weight loss, diabetes knowledge and self-efficacy, demonstrating the program’s measurable impact on personal and population health.

“Through its work in diabetes prevention and management, Clemson University is a model for how Cooperative Extension nationally can address some of the nation’s greatest health challenges,” said Roger Rennekamp, health extension director of the Cooperative Extension Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

The award was presented April 30 at the National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference in Omaha, Neb. The annual conference brings together health professionals, Extension leaders and community partners from across the nation to share innovative approaches to health equity, engagement and education.

Extension team leaders for the HED program are Rhonda Matthews, program team director of Rural Health and Nutrition; Danielle McFall and Melissa Bales, Extension associates on the Rural Health and Nutrition program team; and Maria Bowie, director of the Extension Center for Health Outreach. Leaders from Public Health Sciences are Windsor Sherrill, provost distinguished professor and associate vice president for health research; Janet Evatt, program manager; and research associates Abigail Diblin and Samantha Kanny. Michelle Stancil, Manager of Prisma Health Diabetes Care and Education, provides clinical leadership for the program. Bales accepted the award on behalf of the HED program at the national conference.

“The Health Extension for Diabetes program provides a critical resource for improving access to diabetes support in all communities across South Carolina,” McFall said. “Receiving the Culture of Health award is a testament to our team’s innovative approach and collaboration to make a difference in the community, and we are honored by this recognition.”