diabetes

Phone: 703-523-0590
Location: 3rd floor, Potomac Center (on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center), 2296 Opitz Boulevard, Suite 320

Millions of Americans live with diabetes. It’s a challenging disease, yet, there are steps we can take to prevent it or control it more effectively. At Sentara, we want to help you live happier, free of diabetes or without major complications from the disease. With help from the Diabetes and Nutrition Management team at Sentara, it is possible!

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offers comprehensive diabetes education services (see below) recognized by the American Association of Diabetes Educators for quality patient education. Our programs assist those recently diagnosed with the disease, as well as those dealing with long-term diabetes management. Our experts help patients develop the knowledge and skills needed to prevent complications and create healthy habits. Patients may benefit from attending both group classes and individual sessions.

Please print the diabetes assessment form and bring it with you to your first class.

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Diabetes Management Classes

Our diabetes management classes are led by a staff of certified diabetes educators, who are also registered nurses and/or registered dietitians. They provide practical advice on nutrition, medications, achieving better blood glucose control, hygiene, sick day management, community resources, techniques for combating stress and exercise. An individual pre-assessment and follow-up consultation is included. This program is designed to complement your doctor's care, and a referral is required.

Prediabetes Management Class (available in English and Spanish)

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center now offers a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program. This comprehensive program is focused on helping you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. It can also help lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke and improve your overall health. Trained lifestyle coaches lead the program. They help you make lifestyle changes that include healthy eating, stress reduction, and increased physical activity. This is a lifestyle change program, not a quick fix. It is a year-long program focused on long-term health changes to attain lifelong health.

For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Gestational Diabetes Management Program

Individual Sessions

Insulin Pump Program

This comprehensive program is for people with diabetes who are using or will be starting insulin pump therapy. Taught by certified diabetes educators who are specially trained in pump therapy instruction, this program includes how to use and maintain an insulin pump, plus important information about nutrition, carbohydrate counting, exercise, sick day, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management. A physician's referral is required.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Support Groups

Free diabetes support groups are available at a variety of Sentara locations.

At Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, our diabetes support group provides a friendly and supportive environment to share information and achievements, hear guest speakers and discuss concerns.

Registration for the diabetes management programs is not required. Support groups are free and open to the public.

Please call 703-523-0590 or email us at SNVMCdiabetesed@sentara.com for information on monthly topics.

Diabetes Care at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

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