Durham Regional Hospital’s Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education Center offers various opportunities to gain knowledge and skills for a healthier life through individual and group instruction.
All of our education programs include an assessment of individual learning needs. We recognize that behavior change is a process -- it takes time, starting with a plan that includes setting priorities and working on a few changes at a time.
Our team of experts will work with you to create and implement a plan that meets your health care needs and goals.
Outpatient Instructional Programs
Nutrition education
Learn how to reduce cholesterol, control hypertension, lose weight, or better control other medical conditions. Classes are taught by registered and licensed dietitians.
Pre-diabetes
People who are at risk for developing diabetes can learn healthy eating and lifestyle skills, which may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes during pregnancy
Learn about nutrition, blood sugar monitoring, and other factors that help keep mothers and their babies healthy.
Diabetes education
Learn about nutrition and diabetes in a series of classes taught by certified diabetes educators (registered nurses and dietitians). This program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes education covers the following topics:
- Assessing self-management skills
- Setting goals for daily routines
- Learning basic facts about diabetes
- Understanding blood sugar numbers
- Monitoring blood sugar at home
- Learning about the A1c test
- Learning how diabetes medicines work
- Managing sick days at home
- Planning meals
- Using healthy recipes
- Counting carbohydrates
- Reading food labels
- Managing cholesterol and fat intake
- Recognizing and treating low blood sugar
- Recognizing high blood sugar
- Dealing with feelings and emotions
- Keeping a healthy heart
- Exercising safely
- Taking care of feet, eyes, kidneys, and nerves
- Planning for ongoing support
Good diabetes control means having good blood sugar numbers most of the time. When your diabetes is in good control, you will feel healthy, have better energy, and prevent or delay complications.
Insurance
A physician referral is required for all programs. Diabetes education is usually covered by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Please check with your individual plan to confirm coverage.
Prepare For Your Visit
Please arrive 30 minutes early to complete registration and paperwork.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible. Many people are waiting to schedule appointments and we appreciate your help.
Contact Us
To make an appointment, call 919-470-6505.
For more information about available programs, call 919-470-6538.
Our fax number is 919-470-8199.
Our building is located in the Health Services Center at 407 Crutchfield St., on the corner of Duke and Crutchfield Streets.
Staff
- Debby Nowack, RN, CDE
- Beverly Gardner, RD, LDN, LDN
- Patricia M. Andrews, MPH, RD, LDN, CDE
- Alice Justice, Patient services associate
