DREAM Team Updates June 2025

DREAM Team Updates

June 2025

MOBILE DIABETES EDUCATION CENTER (MOBEC)

SERVING SOLANO COUNTY

The MOBEC Team continues to partner with sites throughout Solano County to provide much-needed prediabetes and diabetes awareness services and one-on-one self-management diabetes education to our community. These sites include neighborhood faith-based organizations, food distribution sites, senior housing complexes, schools, libraries, local events and other locations. Over two hundred people received blood glucose and/or blood pressure screenings through MOBEC services between December 2024 and May 2025. Of those, 16% were found to have blood glucose A1C above the normal range (people with no previous diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes).

For the past six months, thanks to Abbott's generous support, the MOBEC Team has offered screening for cholesterol levels and A1C testing to everyone visiting in addition to its regular services. These few months have allowed us to witness the benefits of testing at random in a community setting. Individuals under the recommended age for testing and with no symptoms have found their cholesterol and/or blood glucose levels to be slightly elevated when they are visiting MOBEC. This random test gives them a boost in consideration to start implementing lifestyle changes at an earlier age.

What's new for this Summer? MOBEC will be adding a new service! Did you know that we can find type 1 diabetes before people become hyperglycemic (before their sugar becomes abnormal)? National guidelines recommend that we screen for type 1 diabetes with autoantibodies rather than waiting until the glucose becomes abnormal. This process begins with screening individuals who are at a higher risk. This includes people who have a family history of type 1 diabetes and those with a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. Unlike all other forms of diabetes, screening is not based on glucose testing but rather on testing for autoimmune antibodies. At MOBEC, we will be offering this screening using fingerstick testing. One thing that is different is that we will not receive the results immediately, as they must be sent to a specialized lab, and the results will be returned in 2-4 weeks. If you want to know more about your risk of type 1 diabetes or want to be screened (kids age 3+ and adults), come check us out at a MOBEC event.

MOBEC events not only benefit the participants, they also provide an opportunity for the community to know about Touro programs and students. Touro students gain valuable experience talking with participants about their test results and preventative measures.

Check our Events section to find out where and when MOBEC will be on the road at tu.edu/mobec. TUC students are encouraged to participate in our community visits. Sign up to volunteer on MOBEC at www.wejoinin.com/sheets/tpaiw.

NATIONAL DPP LIFESTYLE CHANGE PROGRAM

WORKING TO PREVENT TYPE 2 DIABETES

A lifestyle change is often easier said than done, and our National Diabetes Prevention Program is here to help one step at a time! TUC is a partner organization of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a CDC-recognized Lifestyle Change Program to help people with prediabetes. Since 2015, many TUC students have become DPP coaches to facilitate engaging lectures and active discussions around balanced eating, physical activity, stress management, and self-motivation. The one-year program empowers community members to take charge of their health and reverse their diagnosis of prediabetes! Our experienced lifestyle coach, Rochelle Silverman, leads the group towards improved lifestyle habits to prevent diabetes. We continue inviting trained students to be lifestyle coaches to assist in the cohorts.

Our DPP Lifestyle Change Program has officially transitioned our delivery modality from "in-person" to "in-person with a distance-learning component". This new modality will allow more flexibility for our program to conduct cohorts using the combination of in-person sessions and virtual live sessions. Participants and coaches will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds - the convenience of attending sessions at the comfort of your chosen location and having some in-person contacts and connections throughout the year.

Additionally, our new partner, The Skinny Gene Foundation, has been assisting us in managing the registration details, guiding us one step closer to receiving reimbursements for running this program. To volunteer as a student coach, and for community members who are ready to have a healthier, better tomorrow, please contact our team at (707) 638-5970 or tuc.mobec@tu.edu.

SUCCESS WITH DIABETES

THE DIABETES EDUCATION PROJECT

What looks like a group of people playing bingo or Jeopardy are TUC students and community members enjoying a Success with Diabetes class! Success with Diabetes is an engaging six-session program designed to help people with type 2 diabetes understand their condition and provide tools to manage their diabetes successfully. Participants learn about various aspects of healthy living, including stress management, nutrition, medications, and more. In the last six months, we offered two cohorts, one via a virtual platform and one at the Joseph Nelson Community Center in Suisun City with a total of 23 participants enrolled. For community members interested in taking our free classes or students interested in our mission, please contact our team at (707) 638-5970 or tuc.mobec@tu.edu.

PHARM2HOME INITIATIVE:

A COLLABORATIVE PATH TO BETTER HEALTH

BRIDGING GAPS IN CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Led by clinical pharmacists, the Pharm2Home Initiative is revolutionizing chronic disease care in Solano County by tackling the impact of social determinants of health. Through personalized education and coordinated care, the program has supported more than 220 participants and prevented over 100 unscheduled hospital, emergency room, or clinic visits related to hypoglycemic events. In the past year alone, over 900 tailored services were delivered—including individual phone calls and home visits focused on medication adjustments, referrals, and consultations for diabetes and blood pressure management—empowering patients to take control of their health.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK DRIVING IMPROVEMENT

Participant feedback has played a vital role in shaping and strengthening the Pharm2Home Initiative. Their honest input and active participation have provided essential insight into the real-life challenges of managing chronic illness. With their help, we've been able to identify care barriers, enhance medication management, and tailor services to better fit their needs. Continued community feedback ensures the program remains responsive, effective, and rooted in the lived experiences of those it serves.

EXPANDING OUR REACH TO COMMUNITY CENTERS

The Pharm2Home team is expanding its outreach, offering personalized medication therapy management and chronic disease education to senior living facilities. These community events also include guided physical activities that residents can continue independently. Through this outreach, our Community Health Arm furthers our mission of improving care for individuals throughout Solano County.

STRENGTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

The success of the Pharm2Home Initiative is made possible through strong collaboration and generous support from our valued partners—Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Solano County Family Health Services. Their commitment sustains our efforts, helping us advance health equity and improve chronic disease outcomes for the Solano County community.

NATIONAL DPP LIFESTYLE COACH TRAINING

BECOME A LIFESTYLE COACH

Our National DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) Lifestyle Coach Training Program continues to offer training in a virtual setting as an elective for TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Pharmacy students, and for coaches to receive the Lifestyle Coach Certification to offer this program in their own communities. It may seem challenging to attend a training for 12 hours via Zoom over two or three days; however, this training effectively engages attendees in interactive sessions. Prospective Lifestyle Coaches participate in Zoom breakout rooms with peers in small groups. Hands-on activities help participants to practice utilizing coaching skills and leading group sessions. This allows coaches to gain confidence in leading a group of individuals toward making meaningful lifestyle changes. In the last 6 months, this TUC program has trained 24 Lifestyle Coaches. To learn more about TUC’s National DPP Lifestyle Coach Training Program, please visit diabetesprevention.tu.edu to register. One elective course credit is available to TUC COM and COP students.

PHARM2HOME AT TUC ANNUAL RESEARCH DAY

On April 23, 2025, Touro College – Farragut Inn proudly hosted its annual Research Day, highlighting the innovative work of students and faculty across various disciplines. This year’s event featured a special focus on the Pharm2Home program, a unique initiative aimed at improving patient outcomes through pharmacist-led interventions delivered directly to patients' homes.

Pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and DO students who are integral members of the Pharm2Home team showcased several notable research posters, each shedding light on the program’s multifaceted impact. Posters that were presented included:

Pharm2Home: Evaluating the Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Self-Efficacy and Diabetes-Related Distress by Misbah Shafi, MS, DO Candidate 2028; Aliza Ajmal, DO Candidate 2025; Shima Novin, PharmD; Shirley Wong, PharmD; Clipper Young, PharmD, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCGP.
Evaluating the Impact of the Pharm2Home Initiative: A Clinical Pharmacist-Led Telehealth and Home-Based Program for Chronic Disease Management in Underserved Populations by Namrita George, DO Candidate Class of 2025; Joanne Bamba, PharmD; Shirley Wong, PharmD; Clipper Young, PharmD, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCGP, APh.
Assessing the Impact of the Pharm2Home Initiative on Medication Adherence – A Descriptive Study by Misbah Shafi, MS, DO Candidate 2028; Soutsada Sikhounchanh, PharmD/MPH Candidate 2026; Ulises Arzate, PharmD/MPH Candidate 2026; Shirley Wong, PharmD; Clipper Young, PharmD, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCGP, APh.
Assessing Patient Satisfaction with the Pharm2Home Initiative: A Clinical Pharmacist-Led Home and Telehealth Program for Chronic Disease Management by Joanne Bamba, PharmD; Shima Novin, PharmD; Shirley Wong, PharmD; Clipper Young, PharmD, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCGP, APh.

These research presentations evaluated the clinical, social, and economic impact of Pharm2Home, exploring how it enhances medication adherence, reduces hospital readmissions, and supports patients with chronic conditions. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with presenters, ask questions, and discuss the future implications of home-based pharmacy care.

Research Day not only celebrated the hard work of our students and faculty but also reinforced Touro’s commitment to advancing healthcare through research, evidence-based practice and community-focused innovation.

TOURO SUPER'S PROGRAM

ADDRESSING TYPE 2 DIABETES IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

This spring, the DREAM team started the Super’s program. Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health, the program aimed to support healthy living through physical activity, play, and healthy nutrition. The participants, school-age children from Solano County invited to participate in this free program, learned about portion sizes, healthy food substitutions, macronutrients, and they even grew their own microgreens.

The program was led by doctors Melissa Belec, DO and Jay Shubrook, DO. Also, the amazing Supers team included Jack Russek (DO Candidate Class of 2028), Updip Kahlon (DO Candidate Class of 2027), Clarice Ainscow (Candidate Class of 2025), Agatha Mather (Napa College Intern), and Mya Brooks (Napa College Intern). A big shout-out to the Global Center for Success for hosting this interactive program.

This was the first pilot and will be repeated in the 2025-2026 year. Stay tuned for more details.

DREAM TEAM - NEW MEMBERS

MARK LOPEZ

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

We are excited to introduce our newest team member, Mark Lopez. Mark is the Administrative and Outreach Assistant for the DREAM team and the upcoming Diabetes Institute. He will be the first point of contact for internal and external partners. He brings over a decade of experience in higher education, having served in key roles at Stanford University.

During his 10 years at Stanford, Mark supported a wide range of academic programs and student services. He spent five years as a Service Coordinator at the Graduate School of Business, working closely with MBA students and the Executive Education program. He then joined the School of Medicine, where he was part of the Operations, HR, and Finance team within Educational Programs and Services. In this role, he supported a diverse community, including MD, PhD, and PA students, as well as visiting scholars, CME participants, and postdoctoral fellows.

Outside of work, Mark is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys camping, hiking, and overlanding—especially exploring the beauty of America’s National Parks.

Newsletter Credits

Editor: Jay Shubrook, DO

Designer: Maryelli Ray