Diabetes Education Program

The Diabetes Education Program teaches diabetes patients the skills they need to manage their disease. Education is provided in a variety of ways including individual appointments and group sessions. The group classes and one-on-one appointments are taught by a certified diabetic educator and registered nurse. Visit our Calendar section for upcoming meetings.

Available Services

  • Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT): Our comprehensive program, Basics, provides well-rounded information to help patients achieve and maintain optimal blood glucose control. Topics discussed include nutrition, exercise, blood glucose testing, diabetes-related complications, wellness and overall self management skills. Each Medicare Part B recipient with Diabetes has available benefits to cover the program. Please contact us at 815-599-6253 to review your DSMT benefits.
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): MNT is not about dieting. Instead, it's about managing your disease through a healthy approach to your eating habits and lifestyle. Available through FHN, Medicare Part B covers nutrition services provided by registered dietitians, a nutrition expert on disease management.
  • Other services include insulin pump therapy, blood glucose testing, insulin instruction and continuous blood glucose sensor monitoring.

Diabetes Education may be covered by private health insurance. Medicare Part B does cover Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self Management education. Interested persons should check their insurance coverage. The program is housed at FHN Memorial Hospital. A physician referral is required.

FHN also offers the diabetes program listed below free of charge. This program is not as comprehensive as Diabetes Self-Management Training.

Pre-Diabetes Class: Small Steps. Big Rewards.

The pre-diabetes program Small Steps Big Rewards is a national pre-diabetes education program presented jointly by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This two-hour class helps individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes take the first step toward preventing diabetes and living a longer, healthier life. You should attend if you have one or more of these diabetes risk factors:

  • You have been told you have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
  • You exercise fewer than three times a week
  • You have a parent or sibling who has diabetes
  • You are over the age of 45 and are overweight

You may bring a family member or support person with you to the sessions. Education sessions are held every other month (contact FHN at 815-599-6253 for specific dates and times). Small Steps Big Rewards is a free program open to the community.

Visit our Calendar section for upcoming meetings.

Cost: Varies
Referral Needed? Yes
Contact: Nicolette Drane RD, LDN, CDE
Phone Number: 815-599-6253
Email: ndrane@fhn.org