By Krystal Lundell, RD

A new diagnosis of diabetes can be intimidating. At Mountain Park, we strive to provide our patients with all the information necessary to take control of their health. During their first visit, patients meet with a registered dietitian to start them on the right track to diabetes care. Patients learn how to count carbohydrates; how to use their glucometer; how to plan balanced, healthy meals; and how to manage hunger without increasing blood glucose to an unhealthy level.

Our patients also meet with behavior health consultants who teach coping skills to help manage the stress that accompanies this new diagnosis, as well as a clinical pharmacist that helps them manage all the medications they are taking.

Diabetes Education Classes
Another tool Mountain Park offers our patients is our Diabetes Education class. Classes are given in both English and Spanish at no cost to our patients at our Baseline, Gateway, Goodyear, Tempe and Maryvale clinics every Wednesday. Each month we start a four-course program that covers all aspects of diabetes—including medication, complications and healthy eating. The Diabetes Education class is designed to give practical information, tools and tips in addition to what has already been shared by their provider and their dietitian. Class participation helps patients feel part of a bigger community by connecting with other patients who are in the same situation. This group dynamic brings patients together and enables them to share their experiences of what works and how they have personally managed their diabetes. Behavior health, pharmacy and dental all work together with the dietitians to give patients a thorough overview of different aspects of health that are affected by diabetes.