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The FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic is accepting registrations for a 12-week program beginning Aug. 26, designed to help individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes improve health through sustainable lifestyle changes, according to the Florida State University College of Nursing. Developed by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), the Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission (LEADR) provides participants with structured, group-based support to enhance blood sugar control and achieve remission.
Understanding the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
Rather than simply managing symptoms, the curriculum addresses the root causes of type 2 diabetes through six core pillars, according to program details. These pillars include a healthy eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and the avoidance of risky substances.
Participants in the LEADR program learn how to integrate these habits into daily routines. According to the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, which operates as a clinical practice of the FSU College of Nursing and stands as the nation’s first college-based, nurse practitioner-led lifestyle medicine clinic, the approach equips patients to take active control of their medical outcomes.
Putting Patients in the Driver’s Seat
Shared decision-making forms the foundation of the clinical approach used at the Tallahassee facility. Clinicians work alongside participants to establish personalized goals and practical strategies based on lifestyle medicine principles.
“One of the things I love most about the LEADR program is that it truly puts the patient in the driver’s seat of their own health,” said Kathleen P. Wilson, assistant dean of graduate programs for the FSU College of Nursing and provider at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. “Our role is to educate, encourage and guide, while empowering individuals to make choices that create meaningful, lasting improvements in their health.”
Wilson noted that the foundational principles benefit individuals at any point in their wellness journey, though those managing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes often see remarkable long-term gains through the structured accountability and community backing of the group setting.
Did You Know?
The FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, located at 1630 Riggins Rd. in Tallahassee, is one of the few regional providers offering the ACLM-developed LEADR curriculum, expanding access to evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management in Leon County.
Preview Event and Cohort Schedule Details
To help community members learn more before committing, the clinic will host a free informational preview on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. The session covers program expectations and outlines how lifestyle medicine supports long-term wellness. While attendance is free, registration is required due to limited space.
The upcoming 12-week LEADR cohort launches Wednesday, Aug. 26. Sessions will run weekly on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Riggins Road clinic location. Interested individuals can complete a program interest form via the official FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic website to secure a spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LEADR program?
Developed by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, LEADR stands for Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission. It is a 12-week, structured group program designed to help people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control and potentially achieve remission through lifestyle changes.
Where are the classes held?
Sessions take place at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, located at 1630 Riggins Rd. in Tallahassee, Florida.
How can I register for the upcoming cohort?
You can sign up or learn more by filling out the program interest form on the clinic’s website. You can also attend the free preview event on Aug. 19 to ask questions before enrolling.
Join the Conversation
Are you or a loved one exploring lifestyle medicine approaches for managing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more health updates from the Tallahassee area.