Gwendolyn Butler (right) makes regular visits to the Metropolitan Durham Medical Group clinic as part of the DukeWell program. Photo by Duke University Photography.

Durham, NC - Two years ago, Gwendolyn Butler's physician broke the news: if she didn't lose weight to control her blood sugar levels, daily insulin injections to manage her diabetes could be next.

"That scared me," said Butler, who works in the mailroom at Durham Regional Hospital. "I am not into needles, and I figured I needed to find some other way to deal with my diabetes."

Butler contacted DukeWell, a program that helps Duke employees develop and follow through with a personalized health plan. Working with a care manager, Butler dropped 20 pounds, lowered her blood pressure and stabilized her diabetes.

The DukeWell program is open to employees and their adult dependents covered by Duke Basic or Duke Select health insurance plans. Participants begin with DukeWell by completing a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) that helps DukeWell staff determine an employee's eligibility for programs. Employees can complete the assessment online or at a LIVE FOR LIFE Health Check.

"DukeWell helps identify and treat risk factors before they develop into major problems such as heart attacks, strokes, or amputations caused by complications of diabetes," said Dr. Peter Jacobi, medical director of DukeWell."This approach not only improves a patient's quality of life, it saves money for the individuals and for Duke, who is providing the health insurance for these patients."

For employees who have high health risks for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, DukeWell offers an exchange for participating in the program. If a patient participates in telephone coaching, sets health goals, visits the doctor and attends at least one DukeWell educational seminar each quarter, Duke will help pay for medications. The program provides $150 in Medco Mail Order pharmacy credit for completing the first 90 days of the coaching program and a $100 credit for each subsequent 90-day period the participant remains engaged.

The pharmacy credit is one of the incentives used by DukeWell to encourage employees at high risk for chronic disease to take small but steady steps toward improving their health. To date this year, DukeWell has connected 1,621 people with care managers and distributed approximately $150,000 in pharmacy vouchers to participants.

Butler's efforts in 2011 earned her $250 in Medco pharmacy credits.

"That's a great help, because meds are expensive now," she said.

Every four weeks, Butler consults with her care manager, Claudia LeBarron, RN, who reviews Butler's blood pressure, weight and blood sugar levels. LeBarron also checks in with Butler on health goals such as reducing fat in her diet.

"Claudia gives me lots of tips, like using the three Bs - bake, broil and boil - to keep my blood pressure down," Butler said. "She reminds me that I need to stay healthy, so I'll be around long enough to see my 5-year-old granddaughter Tyreona graduate from high school."

Now, whenever conversation at work turns to plans to lose weight or improve health, Butler encourages her colleagues to take advantage of DukeWELL.

"The program makes me want to do better, to be more conscious of my health," Butler said. "And being able to get financial help with my meds is a really good incentive."