By: Camilla Herndon, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent
Health Extension for Diabetes has resumed in Greenville County! The first in-person cohort since 2019 kicked off in June 2025 with 7 participants. Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) is a free diabetes education and support program recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a practice-tested program. The goal of HED is to improve participants’ management of their diabetes to prevent or delay complications.
During this 4-month-long program, participants learn the necessary skills to successfully manage their diabetes across 8 education sessions. The HED curriculum covers the foundations of diabetes, creating balanced meals to stabilize one’s blood sugar, the role of physical activity in diabetes management, medications, problem-solving with diabetes, and connections to local resources for further support.
Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old, a South Carolina resident, and have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Folks interested in joining an HED cohort can sign up here or email Camilla at herndo3@clemson.edu. The program is also offered online and available for those whose primary language is Spanish.
Margaret Estridge Rural Health & Nutrition Agent Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
Hello! My name is Margaret Estridge and I am excited to be able to work with the Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee communities as a Rural Health & Nutrition agent. As a Clemson graduate, I am thrilled to return after working in health education and coaching in both health systems and corporate wellness. My passion lies in empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their health through nutrition and prevention. When not working, I love to hike and ride my bike so I hope to see you out on the trails of this beautiful region!
The Rural Health and Nutrition team has partnered with Prisma Health to establish a referral network between Prisma patients and the Health Extension for Diabetes Program. Through this partnership, I have received several referrals from Prisma Health Family Medicine – Winnsboro. While referral numbers haven’t yet supported an in-person class in Fairfield, I am able to offer the online option until enrollment is sufficient for a local cohort. I am always interested in creating new partnerships to increase the number of referrals from Fairfield County and welcome the opportunity to connect with others about the program. Participants may also self-refer to the program, provided they meet eligibility requirements, including having a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Elizabeth Parker, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent: parker4@clemson.edu | 803-283-3302
Ask anyone with a diagnosis of diabetes, and they’ll tell you that blood sugar management is a full-time job. Doctor visits, medications, blood sugar monitoring, and diet are just some of the pieces that make up living with diabetes. Diabetes is also a condition that can feel isolating and lonely and can lead to burnout. However, a strong, positive support network can help those with diabetes live a longer, healthier life.
Studies show that diabetes support groups improve understanding of both diabetes and participants’ mental health. Social support for diabetes has also been found to improve participants’ capability, confidence, and control in managing their blood sugar. Having a strong social network can help individuals make and maintain the lifestyle changes necessary for long-term diabetes management. Diabetes support groups also provide local resources that can help lead to better diabetes self-management, such as food assistance programs and exercise opportunities. Many support groups welcome the friends and family members of participants so they can better support you with accurate information on managing diabetes.
Clemson Extension offers a free diabetes self-management and support program called Health Extension for Diabetes. Health Extension for Diabetes is specifically designed for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and is offered online or in person. Through this program, participants learn about self-care behaviors and lifestyle changes they can make to better self-manage their blood sugar. For more information about all programs offered by the Clemson Extension Rural Health and Nutrition team, visit Clemson.edu/extension/health.
Camilla Herndon is the new Rural Health and Nutrition Agent in Greenville County. Camilla brings her skills and experience in health education, grants management, and community partnerships to her new role.
Camilla recently trained to deliver Know Diabetes by Heart, a joint initiative between the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association, to improve individuals’ understanding of the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. During the program, participants learn six practical strategies to reduce their risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Camilla will begin delivering the Know Diabetes by Heart program to community partners in Greenville and Laurens counties. Any organization interested in hosting a Know Diabetes by Heart program can email Camilla (herndo3@clemson.edu) to schedule. To sign up for a virtual Know Diabetes by Heart session, visit the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service’s EventBrite. There is no cost to attend.
The first Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) cohort in Union County was a community success! The cohort started in September 2023 and graduated in December 2023, with approximately a 90% graduation rate (adjusted)! We are recruiting for a second Health Extension for Diabetes cohort at the Union County Library for HED in-person programing. Registration is open from 02/13/24-03/12/24, please contact me if you are interested in participating!
HED is a free diabetes support program recognized by the ADA as a practice-tested diabetes support program. The main goal of this program is to help participants better manage diabetes to prevent or delay complications. HED is 4 months long and includes a series of 8 education sessions and intermittent support sessions. Each session is designed to help participants learn more about diabetes and provide them with necessary skills and support to successfully self-manage diabetes. Participants will receive bi-weekly materials and weekly follow-up to help navigate resources and reach healthy lifestyle goals. A Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is required for enrollment.
February is American Heart month; If there is an upcoming event or group meeting that you are looking for a guest speaker and a timely topic, I would love to attend and hold the Know Diabetes by Heart (KDBH) program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any opportunities or questions.
KDBH is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Heart Association (AHA). It is a free education session offered in-person or online. The program aims to help participants better understand the link between diabetes and heart disease. By participating in this one-hour session, you will learn more about risks related to diabetes and heart disease, how to take control of your risks, and learn about community and clinical resources.
My name is Dylan Mott and I am happy to be continuing with Clemson Extension as the Rural Health and Nutrition Agent in Greenville County. I am a Greenville native and love Upstate SC!
I received my BS in Health Science from Clemson University (Go Tigers!) and just graduated with my Master of Public Health from MUSC. My experience with the Rural Health and Nutrition team began as an undergraduate intern turned part time program assistant working with social media, outreach, and programming. Some of my hobbies include: cycling, hiking, reading, and trying new recipes!
I am looking forward to continuing with the team in this capacity by serving the residents of my home county and teaching them more about Extension and the health of the county and state.
Rural Health and Nutrition Extension Agent, Clemson
Cooperative Extension
Clemson Extension’s Rural Health and Nutrition Team educates
South Carolinians on diabetes self-management practices through the Health
Extension for Diabetes program (HED). HED is a 4-month diabetes self-management
and support program for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Participants
receive diabetes education and support for improved self-management from a
trained Health Extension Agent. Biweekly education sessions are facilitated
traditionally and online that include risk-reducing practices (e.g., healthy
eating and physical activity), medication and blood glucose management, and
health resource navigation.
HED curriculum follows the Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans recommendations for adults to reach at least 150 minutes of moderate
physical activity each week, while prioritizing a balance of aerobic, strength,
and flexibility training. However, organized local and national physical
activity programs are often expensive and offered infrequently. Inability to
access physical activity support programs made it difficult for HED
participants to maintain diabetes self-management behaviors. In response, our
team developed three online physical activity support programs for HED
participants and other stakeholders in South Carolina: (1) WalkSC, (2) Yoga for
Every Body, and (3) Practical Strength.
The WalkSC program was developed to satisfy recommendations
for adults with diabetes to reach at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic
activity each week. Launched in spring 2020, the program encourages
participants to increase their step count and time spent walking each week
through weekly walking challenges. WalkSC comprises weekly step challenges
across a span of 12 weeks—the end goal: to “virtually” walk South Carolina’s
500-mile Palmetto Trail. This program has been widely successful and has gained
popularity locally and nationally.
Health Extension for
Diabetes recommends people with diabetes reduce stress to better manage blood
glucose levels, and the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans suggests
adults with diabetes reach 1-2 days of balance and flexibility training each week.
Yoga for Every Body (YEB) was launched in spring 2021 to address these
recommendations; the program’s goals are to offer a consistent and accessible
yoga practice facilitating stress management and increased physical activity
across all age and health categories.
Lastly, it is
recommended for adults with diabetes to reach 2-3 days of strength training per
week to better manage blood glucose levels. Practical Strength was launched in
summer 2023 to provide HED participants and SC stakeholders with a safe and
effective strength training program appropriate for all ages and mobility
levels.
Rural Health and
Nutrition Team physical activity programs have reached wide audiences within
South Carolina, and beyond, emphasizing their stand-alone value for health
promotion and management. Importantly, these programs also facilitated
cross-pollination of participants across Health Extension programming including HED. For example, at least 208
HED participants participated in one or more of the physical activity programs
from 2020-2022, empowering them to continue to strive for sustainable diabetes
self-management goals. Finally, the physical activity programs have increased
HED recruitment, likely through targeted marketing of shared health goals. We
conclude that increasing accessibility of physical activity programs within
Extension has promoted chronic disease awareness, prevention, and
management statewide and nationally.
Roxanne from Clover, SC on her experience with WalkSC: “My mantra is “more”. I may not reach all the daily step goals, but I get more steps each day than before, enjoy more of the outdoors, and feel more energized. I have been faithfully keeping track of each day’s steps on a designated calendar so I can stay accountable. Great program!” Roxanne started as a YEB participant and has since joined WalkSC and Practical Strength. Roxanne has remained consistent with all three programs and even began facilitating chair yoga classes at her local library based on the education and tools she received from Rural Health and Nutrition Team programming.
Julia Newsome Rural Health & Nutrition Agent Cherokee & Union Counties
“The first Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) cohort in Cherokee county was a community success! The cohort started in August 2023 and graduated in December 2023, with approximately a 90% graduation rate (adjusted)! We are recruiting for a second Health Extension for Diabetes cohort in partnership with the Cherokee County Family YMCA for HED in-person programing. Registration is open from 01/24/24-02/21/24, please contact me if you are interested in participating!
HED is a free diabetes support program recognized by the ADA as a practice-tested diabetes support program. The main goal of this program is to help participants better manage diabetes to prevent or delay complications. HED is 4 months long and includes a series of 8 education sessions and intermittent support sessions. Each session is designed to help participants learn more about diabetes and provide them with necessary skills and support to successfully self-manage diabetes. Participants will receive bi-weekly materials and weekly follow-up to help navigate resources and reach healthy lifestyle goals. A Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is required for enrollment.
February is American Heart Month; If there is an upcoming event or group meeting that you are looking for a guest speaker and a timely topic, I would love to attend and hold the Know Diabetes by Heart (KDBH) program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any opportunities or questions.
KDBH is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Heart Association (AHA). It is a free education session offered in-person or online. The program aims to help participants better understand the link between diabetes and heart disease. By participating in this one-hour session, you will learn more about risks related to diabetes and heart disease, how to take control of your risks, and learn about community and clinical resources.
Julia Newsome, Rural Health & Nutrition Extension Agent
Union & Cherokee Counties
I have promoted extension programs and recruited participants at various events/health fairs across Union County this summer. If you see me at a local event, feel free to stop by and ask any questions regarding Clemson Cooperative Extension programing!
I started two “Health Extension for Diabetes (HED)” cohorts for Union residents: one online and one in-person. Registration is open for the in-person cohort until Tuesday 09/19/23, please contact me if you are interested in HED programing.
HED is a free diabetes support program recognized by the ADA as a practice-tested diabetes support program. The main goal of this program is to help participants better manage diabetes to prevent or delay complications. HED is 4 months long and includes a series of 8 education sessions and intermittent support sessions; Each session is designed to help participants learn more about diabetes and provide them with necessary skills and support to successfully self-manage diabetes. Participants will receive bi-weekly materials and weekly follow-up to help navigate resources and reach healthy lifestyle goals; A Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is required for enrollment.
In July, I spoke at the Union County School District’s (UCSD) Opening Day Professional Development event for UCSD staff. I provided “Know Diabetes By Heart (KDBH)”. If there is an upcoming event or group meeting that you would be interested in me speaking at, I would love to attend. Please feel free to contact me if you have any opportunities or questions.
KDBH is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Heart Association (AHA). It is a free education session offered in-person or online. The program aims to help participants better understand the link between diabetes and heart disease. By participating in this one-hour session, you will learn more about risks related to diabetes and heart disease, how to take control of your risks, and learn about community and clinical resources.
It is important for me to be a part of the Union community, so I became a member of the Union County Rotary Club this April. I’m looking forward to upholding the Clemson Extension standard of service!
