Local Clinic Brings Specialized Diabetes Care to Perry County

The Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky hosted a luncheon at the Mary E. Martin Diabetes Center of Excellence in Hazard on November 20, 2025 to spotlight services for people living with diabetes. The event was held in recognition of National Diabetes Month and drew clinicians, patients, and organizers who focused on local access to specialized diabetes care.

Clinicians and patients spoke at the luncheon, and organizers used the event to underscore the importance of making diabetes expertise and resources available within the county. The center offers modern treatment options and research informed education aimed at helping people manage their condition without long travel to distant specialty centers. WYMT reported that attendees received a turkey at the event, part of a broader outreach effort that combined clinical information with tangible support for families.

Bringing specialized diabetes services to Hazard carries clear public health implications for Perry County. Rural communities frequently face greater barriers to consistent medical care, including transportation challenges and fewer local specialists. Having a diabetes center that provides up to date treatments and education locally can reduce those barriers, support ongoing self management, and help prevent complications that lead to emergency care and higher long term health costs.

The luncheon also reflected a coordinated approach to outreach and education in Perry County. Organizers emphasized that community based education can improve daily disease management, increase awareness of treatment advances, and encourage participation in screening and follow up care. Distributing food items at the event highlighted how clinical care and social supports intersect, addressing immediate needs that can affect nutrition and blood sugar control.

From a policy perspective, the presence of a diabetes center in Hazard points to the value of investing in rural health infrastructure and primary care networks that extend specialty services into underserved areas. Expanding local access aligns with goals of health equity by reducing travel burdens, improving continuity of care, and offering culturally relevant education close to home.

For Perry County residents living with diabetes, the center provides both medical resources and an entry point to ongoing community supports. The November 20 event demonstrated that clinical outreach, patient education, and practical assistance can be combined to meet the complex needs of rural patients. As National Diabetes Month concludes, local providers and organizers say continued outreach in the county will remain a priority to improve outcomes and promote health equity across the region.