Community Hospital | Serving Western Colorado

The registered dietitians at Community Hospital provide individualized nutrition education and counseling also known as MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) for a variety of medical diagnoses. We require a physician’s referral with a diagnosis to be able to offer this service. Insurance coverage for medical nutrition therapy is dependant on an individual’s insurance carrier. Our Healthcare Professionals Terri Thompson, BSN, RN, CDE, Diabetes Specialist Annegret K. Howe, RD, CDE Jeanette Durham, MS, RD, CDE Kelley McClain, RD Mission Statement The mission of Community Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center is to improve the knowledge, health and quality of life of individuals with diabetes. Empowering individuals and the community through education on diabetes management is the key to achieving optimal health.
Qualifying Medical Diagnoses Celiac Disease (Celiac Sprue) Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine. Nutritional Services can help devise a personalized healthy eating plan. Cholesterol Management By learning how cholesterol is produced, distributed, and functions within your body it is easier to form an effective dietary and exercise plan to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Diabetes Food Allergies Our dietitians can help answer your questions about food allergies and intolerance for all ages, and can also provide you with information on helpful services and resources to promote sound nutrition habits. Hypertension Due to the serious effects of hypertension, forming a healthy lifestyle plan is essential when it comes to lowering your risk factors for heart disease. By consulting a dietitian you will learn how to stay informed about your blood pressure, balance it at a healthy level through diet and exercise. Sports Nutrition Nutrition Services will personalize a healthy and balanced diet to correspond to the other key components of a fit athlete. Vegetarian / Vegan Learn how to achieve a balanced plant based diet through a personalized consultation with a dietitian. Weight Management Learn more about our surgical weight loss center. Nutrition Education Classes Disease process and treatment options Nutritional management and carbohydrate recommendations Physical activity recommendations Medications Monitoring blood glucose levels Preventing and detecting complications Goal setting Psychosocial adjustment Preconception care Hypo/Hyperglycemia education Click here to learn more about our comprehensive classes. Interactive Food Diary & Blood Glucose Sheet To use our interactive Food Diary and Blood Glucose Level program sheet, you will need Microsoft Excel on your computer. Select Save As Excel to save the sheet to your computer. You are then ready to record your daily food intake as well as your fasting glucose levels and your after meal glucose levels. The work sheet will automatically graph these for you.	Diabetes Center Diabetes onset can be delayed and complications reduced with improved lifestyle behaviors. Click here to learn 5 simple steps to help prevent diabetes. To print a diabetes screening test click this link. Almost 17 million people have diabetes. Learning to manage diabetes requires making informed choices. Community Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center provides the most current information to help people make choices that lead to a healthier life with fewer complications from diabetes. Did you know: 7.5% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Every week 15,000 people learn they have diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S. Diabetes has an annual mortality rate of 54,000 50% of patients with diabetes are over the age of 54 Diabetes in Colorado Approximately 5% of adults in Colorado have diabetes—that’s 247,300 people. Diabetes is increasing rapidly in children. Certain racial and ethnic groups suffer from diabetes and its complications more than others. African-American and Latino Coloradans experience higher rates than their white counterparts. Our diabetes self-management course is a combination of individual and group educational sessions for people and /or families with diabetes. The course is taught by a team of experienced educators, including a nurse, dietitian and mental-health specialist. Education for gestational diabetes, pediatric patients, families, and those with special needs is available as well. Diabetes Education Classes Diabetes Support Group: Meetings for patients, family and friends are the second Tuesday of every month. For more information call (970)256-6381. There is no charge for attending support group meetings. Diabetes Kid's Club Blood glucose monitors Diabetes Self Management Training (DSMT) classes Foot screening Diabetes camp for kids with diabetes. We are now researching and developing a camp. If you are interested in this program or in volunteering, please call us at (970) 256-6381. Insurance coverage Outpatient diabetes education is covered by many insurance plans with a physician referral. Our staff will assist you to verify coverage or determine a fee schedule. Schedule an appointment today! (970) 256-6303 Community Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center is located at 2004 N. 12th St., which is in the Community Professional Plaza across the street from Community Hospital. Community Hospital Diabetes Education Programs are ADA Certified