Hope Through Education: Q&A With Ines Beltran on a Diabetes Success Story
Featuring Ines Beltran, M.Ed. CNWE, University of Georgia Gwinnett Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
Again and again, our team witnesses stories that show how health education can open doors for patients who feel unsure or overwhelmed. Earlier this year, one of our providers diagnosed a patient with newly uncontrolled diabetes and encouraged her to attend the diabetes education classes offered at Good Samaritan Gwinnett in partnership with UGA Extension Gwinnett.
Three months later, the provider saw a dramatic change: the patient’s A1C had dropped significantly, and her diabetes was now well-controlled. The patient shared that the diabetes workshops she attended at Good Samaritan Gwinnett played a major role in that progress. These diabetes classes are led by Ines Beltran, M.Ed., CNWE, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the UGA Extension Program, who teaches in both English and Spanish.
We reached out to Ines to learn more about the story behind this success and about what she sees as patients gain knowledge, confidence, and connection.
Without sharing any personal details, can you tell us what it meant to watch one of our shared patients go from newly diagnosed and uncontrolled to well-controlled in just a few months?
Ines: “It is rewarding to see how consistent support, patient education, and coordinated care made a real difference in the health and confidence of this patient. Results like this one reinforce the value of the University of Georgia Extension and the teamwork with Good Samaritan Gwinnett. It also reminds us why we do this work—because when patients feel empowered and begin to thrive, it’s a success for all of us.”
How does this patient’s success story reflect the kind of hope that donors help make possible through Good Samaritan Gwinnett?
Ines: “Donor support is important because it ensures that patients who might struggle to receive care can find a place that empowers them, guides them, and walks beside them on their journey toward better health. Every improvement in this patient’s well-being is a reminder that donor generosity fuels real, measurable change in our community.”
Why is the partnership between UGA Extension and Good Samaritan Gwinnett so important for reaching uninsured patients?
Ines: “UGA Extension Gwinnett brings community-based education, outreach, and a county-wide presence. Their mission includes nutrition/food safety, family & consumer sciences (including health and wellness education), youth development (via 4-H), and community resources — all grounded in research and tailored to local needs. In short: UGA Extension knows the community (its needs, language, culture, gaps). UGA Extension and its history of delivering community education — complements Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s clinical services by empowering patients with knowledge. Education about healthy eating, disease prevention, and wellness habits can reduce barriers and help prevent long-term health problems.”
Hope With Every Gift
As we share Ines’ reflections during our end-of-year campaign, we are reminded that these outcomes are not accidental. They grow from compassionate providers, strong partnerships, community trust, and donors who believe that with every gift, hope becomes something real, measurable, and life-changing.
This season, Good Samaritan Gwinnett is working toward raising $300K by December 31, 2025. Each dollar directly fuels the kind of care, education, and support that makes stories like this possible.
Join Ines in Bringing Hope
If you feel called to give, your donation of any size helps bring Hope With Every Gift. Help us reach our $300K goal and ensure that no one has to choose between their health and their ability to pay. To help bring hope to another family, please visit: GoodSamGwinnett.org/Donate
