Diabetes Education

Do you have diabetes and want to FEEL BETTER and ACHIEVE BETTER LAB VALUES, BETTER WEIGHT, BETTER HEALTH?

The SMCH Diabetes Self-Management Education Program started in 1998 with a mission to prepare people with diabetes to make informed choices every day about their diabetes care. We work with people and their primary care providers to develop successful plans for coping with diabetes and its challenges. Our instructors are trained as health coaches and as diabetes educators. Our program is accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Individual or group sessions are scheduled as needed. Our courses consist of 3 to 4 sessions over 2 - 3 months. Referral from your health care provider is required.

Sessions are informal and allow hands-on learning. In 2018, participants in the SMCH Diabetes self-management program saw an average reduction in their A1c of 2.2 points.

"When I started, they gave me booklets to write down my exercise and eating habits, and having a record made me more aware," said Earl McAlexander, Rockwell City resident and Diabetes Education participant, "I went from about 240 [pounds] to 210 in a six-month period."

ANNUAL diabetes education follow-up sessions are also offered, and individual diabetes medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is available. Four time periods in a person’s life have recently been identified as CRITICAL TIMES for diabetes self-management education and support:

  • At diagnosis of diabetes
  • Annual assessment of education, nutrition, and emotional needs
  • When new complicating factors influence self-management
  • When transitions occur

We look forward to working with you. Our goal is to assist & support persons with diabetes on their lifelong journeys of healthy diabetes self-care.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STEWART MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DIABETES PROGRAMS, PLEASE CONTACT SHELLY HAMMEN, RN, 712-464-4118.