Diabetes Center
The certified diabetes educators with the St. Mary's Diabetes Center will partner with you and your physician to help effectively manage your diabetes.
Our educators understand the difficulties that accompany diabetes and they will help you find the answers you need. St. Mary’s diabetes program gives participants an opportunity to work with a nurse educator, registered dietitian, counselor and exercise specialist to learn how to effectively manage diabetes.
Are you new to diabetes?
If you have just been told that you have diabetes, you are likely experiencing a variety of emotions. Common questions include:
- Do I have to give up my favorite foods?
- Is there anything I can do to keep from losing my eye sight?
- How will I feel when my blood sugar is low?
- How do I choose a blood sugar monitor?
- Where can I go to get help?
The certified diabetes educators at St. Mary's can answer these questions and provide you with information to make lifestyle changes that will help in the daily management of diabetes. Maintaining control of your diabetes will help prevent potential long-term complications commonly associated with the disease.
The first step in managing your diabetes is to meet with one of our diabetes educators to determine your needs and develop a plan.
Whether they are reviewing a diabetic patient's diet or creating a plan to manage blood glucose, patient educators play a key role in the program's success.
Diabetes education at the Chertow Diabetes Center is focused on blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise, medications, risk reduction, coping and problem-solving. Patients are seen individually to create a customized plan for managing their care. Group activities are also facilitated by staff educators.
At the St. Mary's Diabetes Center, you will learn:
- Healthy meal planning
- Physical activity recommendations
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Medications
- Prevention of long-term complications, such as eye disease, kidney disease, heart disease and foot problems
Are you discouraged trying to manage your diabetes alone?
While trying to manage diabetes, some individuals experience "burn out,” the desire to give up because the task is too difficult. Others have already given up on managing their diabetes, but now have a desire to get back on track and gain control. At St. Mary's, our goal is to help you find management strategies that work best with your lifestyle.
To get you back on track, our educators can help with:
- Meal planning and other ways to keep glucose levels under control
- Education about proper foot care
- Complete reviews and updates on diabetes management
How To Get Started
Ask your doctor to refer you to the St. Mary's Diabetes Center or call 304.526.8363 and we will help you get started. Once we have a referral from your physician, we will contact you to schedule an individual consultation with one of our educators.
Most insurance providers offer benefits for diabetes education. Check with your insurance company regarding coverage.
For more information, please call 304.526.8363.