Diabetes Program at Valley General Hospital

Continuing our commitment to provide True Community Medicine, Valley General Hospital is launching a comprehensive Diabetes Education Program in January 2008. The program, which requires a physician referral, will encompass teaching patients and families on the following aspects of diabetes care:

• Blood glucose monitoring
• Nutrition and meal planning
• Exercise
• Medications
• Sick day management
• Foot care
• Prevention of complications
• Management of hyperglycemia
• Management of hypoglycemia
• Insulin starts: syringe and pen injection training
• Insulin pump training

In addition to the above services, we also provide community resources and referral services. We are open to patients of all ages with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes or Gestational Diabetes.

“The Valley General Hospital Diabetes Program specializes in individualized educational needs with a multidisciplinary medical team approach. Diabetes is a chronic illness that sometimes feels like can be too much bear. We meet the patient where they are as far as acceptance of the illness and readiness to change care and habits. If the patient is a “small steps” person, then we are here to help provide the education and support to see it through; likewise for patients with more intensive needs. Using our community based approach; our patients will have a complete medical team consisting of a diabetes educator nurse and registered dietitian, their primary care provider, pharmacist, podiatrist, ophthalmologist and an exercise program to help carry the burden for the patient, while empowering them to manage diabetes a little better and a little easier. “
- Jennifer Okemah MS, RD, CD, Diabetes Program Coordinator

Please call 360-794-1447 ext. 370 for questions.