WCHS’s Diabetes Program Achieves Rare CDC Recognition
September 11, 2025
Winnebago, NE – Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System’s (WCHS) Wai pi nagu (Diabetes) team has achieved Full Plus Recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its Ho Chunk Hope Diabetes Prevention Program. This designation is the highest level awarded by the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program and is extremely rare among Tribal communities.
The achievement recognizes the program’s delivery of a high-quality, evidence-based lifestyle change program that meets national standards for diabetes prevention and exceeds retention thresholds. The Wai pi nagu Team has maintained Preliminary Recognition since 2017, making this advancement a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes in the community.
Camilla Barajas (MHA, BSN, RN), Director of the Wai pi nagu Program, expressed gratitude for the recognition: “I am so grateful to our team and all the support our program receives to grow and be innovative as we face the challenges of diabetes prevention. We are beyond excited to achieve this status. Our team works so hard, and this recognition reflects that hard work.”
Mona Zuffante (PhD, MPH), Chief Public Health Officer for WCHS, emphasized the broader importance of this recognition: “This honor from the CDC is not just a recognition of our program, but of our community’s commitment to health and wellness. To be among the very few Tribal programs nationwide to reach Full Plus Recognition shows the strength, resilience, and dedication of our staff and the relatives served through this program. Together, we are shaping a healthier future for the Winnebago community.”
Full Plus Recognition is valid for 12 months, after which WCHS will have the opportunity to continue maintaining high standards and transition to Full Recognition. This distinction also makes WCHS eligible to apply as a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) supplier, expanding opportunities to serve community members.