Outpatient Diabetes Education

Managing diabetes affects all aspects of the individual's life: meal planning, physical activity, knowing how and when to take medications, what to do when schedules vary and staying motivated. With the right tools, education, and support, it is possible to be healthy, enjoy life, and prevent complications. By working with the team from Saint Mary's, we help people with diabetes control their diabetes . . . so it doesn't control them.

The Saint Mary's Outpatient Self-Management Education Program offers individual and group sessions. Once the educational needs are assessed, the educator and patient will decide which parts of the program will provide the most benefit. Because diabetes affects both the patient and family, relatives and friends are encouraged to attend all sessions. Many of our newly diagnosed patients find it helpful to meet with the registered nurse diabetes educator and registered dietitian first and then attend the Diabetes Management course. A series of classes are offered twice a month during convenient daytime and evening hours. Classes are taught by nurse diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and podiatrists. Classes offer "hands on" activities and interactive learning.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding your diabetes
• Meal planning
• Diabetes medications
• Exercise/activity
• Diabetes management during illness
• Short and long- term complications
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Foot care
• Psychological adjustment and family support
• Available resources in the community
• Recognizing and responding to high and low blood sugars

People that have had previous education may meet individually with the diabetes educator or attend small group sessions. Individual sessions that can be ordered include:

• Assessment and education plan
• Insulin injections
• Self-blood glucose monitoring
• Self-management skills
• Pattern control
• Gestational diabetes
• Follow-up

A series of classes are offered periodically, focusing on requested topics including motivation, stress, carbohydrate counting, quick and healthy cooking tips, eating out, cooking demonstrations, traveling tips — just to name a few.

The staff of the Outpatient Self-Management Diabetes Program are certified diabetes educators, with many years of clinical and educational experience with accreditations from organizations such as the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Several of the staff are actively involved in diabetes organizations at the local, state, and national levels and have presented at many workshops and seminars throughout the country.

Costs of the education or management program depend on the services needed. Although many of these costs are covered by insurance, they require a referral by a primary care physician.

The Diabetes and Endocrine Center is located in the Peter M. Wege Center for Health & Learning. The Center offers the convenience of all diabetes team members in one place. The patient can meet with the nurse educator and registered dietitian in one visit. The Center also offers the highest educational technology in our consumer resource library, classrooms and demonstration kitchen.

2012 Schedule of Diabetes Self-Management Education Classes

Morning Series
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–noon.
Classes meet in the Peter M. Wege Center for Health & Learning.
A referral from a primary care physician is required, which can be arranged through Centralized Scheduling by calling 616-685-4000. 

• January 24, 25, 26
• March 20, 21, 22
• May 22, 23, 24
• July 24, 25, 26
• September 25, 26, 27
• November 27, 28, 29

Afternoon Series
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Classes meet in the Peter M. Wege Center for Health & Learning.
A referral from a primary care physician is required, which can be arranged through Centralized Scheduling at 616-685-4000. 

• February 21, 22, 23
• April 24, 25, 26
• June 19, 20, 21
• August 21, 22, 23
• October 23, 24, 25
• December 18, 19, 20

Evening Series
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5:30–9 p.m.
Classes meet in the Peter M. Wege Center for Health & Learning or at the Saint Mary's Southwest campus.
A referral from a primary care physician is required, which can be arranged through Centralized Scheduling at 616-685-4000.

• January 10, 11, 12  at Wege
• February 7, 8, 9 at Wege
• March 6, 7, 8 at Wege
• April 10, 11, 12 at Southwest
• May 8, 9, 10 at Wege
• June 5, 6, 7 at Wege
• July 10, 11, 12 at Wege
• August 7, 8, 9 at Wege
• September 11, 12, 13 at Southwest
• October 9, 10, 11 at Wege
• November 6, 7, 8 at Wege
• December 11, 12, 13 at Wege