ARH Launches Diabetes Connection Meetings in Martin County Feb. 26

Appalachian Regional Healthcare is expanding its Diabetes Connection program into Martin County, bringing monthly in-person and virtual support meetings to the Martin County Health Department in Inez. The first session is scheduled for February 26, 2026, and ARH says subsequent gatherings will be held the last Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m.; the Feb. 26 meeting will focus on Nutrition and include a live, hands-on demonstration with active participation and a Q&A component.

“Bringing Diabetes Connection to the Martin County Health Department allows us to meet people where they are and build on the support already rooted in this community,” said Ashley Webb, ARH Systems Diabetes Education Coordinator. “This new location expands access to diabetes education, helps remove barriers, and creates a welcoming space where education, connection, and encouragement can truly make a difference.”

Martin County Health Department leadership framed the expansion as an extension of local efforts to prevent and manage diabetes. “Our health department is focused on helping people get healthy and stay healthy,” said Deanna Muncy, Assistant Public Health Director for the Martin County Health Department. “Diabetes affects many families in our community, and we see the challenges it brings every day. This program gives people real support and simple tools to better manage and prevent diabetes. Together with our existing diabetes prevention and self-management programs, we are strengthening our commitment to making Martin County healthy again.” Mountain Citizen author Lakean Meade, RN, who is identified as the health department’s diabetes coordinator, promoted the Feb. 26 hands-on Nutrition Demonstration and noted that everyone who attends, in person or virtually, will be entered into two $50 gift card giveaways.

Program leaders and regional reporting place Diabetes Connection in a broader effort across eastern Kentucky. WYMT has reported that the program offers monthly workshops at nine locations and online, with sessions featuring speeches from health professionals, healthy recipes and sampling, and practical tools for managing blood sugar. WYMT also highlighted results from regional activities: “More than 370 participants joined their ‘Healthy Habits Challenge,’ losing a combined 471 pounds.” The network cited American Diabetes Association figures showing “more than 450,000 Kentuckians live with diabetes, and another 100,000 are estimated to have the disease without knowing it.” “It’s important to offer these additional services outside of the clinic setting to not only people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, but also those friends, family members, you know, whoever may be a caregiver for someone with diabetes,” said Nicole Smith, Community Development Manager, ARH Kentucky River Region.

Residents seeking details can contact ARH about Diabetes Connection at 606.789.3511 or by emailing diabetesarh1@arh.org. The Martin County Health Department will host the in-person meetings in Inez; ARH and local partners are also promoting the series on social media, including an Instagram post announcing the partnership.