Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition
Did you know . . .
- 1 in 11 Americans has diabetes today and 1 in 3 are expected to have diabetes by 2050?s
- 86 million Americans are at risk of getting diabetes?
- Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.?
But diabetes and its complications are preventable! Diabetes education works to improve health outcomes and prevent complication for people with diabetes. In the last year, patients attending TCRHCC group diabetes education class reduced there A1c by an average of 1.2 points!
The Healthy Living Diabetes Education & Clinical Nutrition department is an American Association of Diabetes Educators-accredited program providing diabetes education in group and 1 on 1 setting, nutrition care, foot screening exams, meter teaching, and eye screenings, now on all 3 floors of OPCC.
National Diabetes Month Campaign
The Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition department, formerly known as the Healthy Living Center, will be providing services in new locations starting Monday, July 11th. All of our services will still be provided within the Outpatient Primary Care Clinic building. Please call us at (928) 283-2895 to schedule an appointment.
We provide diabetes self-management education, nutrition care, foot exams, eye screenings, and meter training to people with diabetes. We also provide nutrition and weight loss counseling to people with health concerns other than diabetes. Our diabetes education program is accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
We work closely with TCRHCC primary care clinics to assure high-quality, coordinated diabetes care. People with diabetes are encouraged to see their primary care provider at least every 3 months and to bring their meter and log book to all of their appointments
Group Diabetes Class
On Tuesdays at 8 am, we offer group diabetes class. All people with diabetes and their families are encouraged to attend. Our aim is to reduce complications, such as eye disease, nerve damage, heart disease, and kidney disease, for people with diabetes. In class, a variety of instructors will teach you skills to manage your diabetes and control your blood sugar. Class topics include:
- What is Diabetes?
- Healthy Eating
- Being Active
- Monitoring
- Taking Medication
- Problem Solving & Emergencies
- Healthy Coping
- Reducing Risks & Preventing Complications
- Goal Setting
Class is offered in the Navajo language on a monthly basis. Please call to schedule.
| Test | Target Goal | My Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin A1c% | <7% | |
| Blood Pressure | <140/90 | |
| Total Cholesterol | <200 | |
| Triglycerides | <150 | |
| HDL (Good Cholesterol) | >40 (Men) / >50 (Women) | |
| LDL (Bad Cholesterol) | <100 |
Diabetes Medication Management
Our department or the pharmacy diabetes clinic can provide diabetes medication management with a referral from your primary care provider. If you are interested in help with managing your medications and improving your blood sugar control, please ask your provider for a referral.
Diabetes in Pregnancy Management
We also offer specialized services to women with diabetes during pregnancy. About 20-25% of pregnancies at TCRHCC are affected by either type 2 or gestational diabetes. High blood sugars during pregnancy can cause serious problems for both mom and baby, so we work closely with the Women’s Clinic staff to ensure healthy outcomes for our moms and babies.
Where to find our services:
Pharmacy Diabetes Clinic and Tuesday morning group diabetes class will still check in on the 1st floor, at the new Same-Day window.
Our diabetes health techs, Lenora and Vanessa, will be providing foot exams, eye screenings, and meter training as part of your primary care visit with IM, FM, SDA, Peds, or Womens.
The following providers will be providing outpatient nutrition and diabetes education services on the 2nd floor by appointment or walk-in as available:
- Marilyn Smith, RDN
- Ruby Whitethorne, RN, CDE
- Theodora Rudd, MSHS, RDN
Annie Edleman, RDN, CDE will be providing services within the pediatric clinic by appointment or walk-in as available.
Mary Degnan, MS, RD, CDE, will be providing prenatal nutrition & diabetes services within the Women’s clinic by appointment or walk-in.
Susan Hoelscher, MS, RDN, CDE, CSP provides nutrition & diabetes education services at Sacred Peaks Health Center in Flagstaff. Appointments can be scheduled primarily SPHC by calling (928) 863-7333.
More information about Diabetes can be found at:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/
American Association of Diabetes Educators
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/patient-resources
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
https://www.eatright.org/
Indian Health Service Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention
https://www.ihs.gov/forpatients/healthtopics/Diabetes/
National Diabetes Education Program
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/ndep/Pages/patient-education-resources.aspx