Diabetes Education &Classes

Methodist Germantown's diabetes classes are nationally recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Classes are taught by certified diabetes education and care specialists, registered nurses, registered dieticians and pharmacists.

Classes meet weekly and advance registration is required. See more information about registration below

Click here for a printable flyer with more information.

Diabetes Education Classes

• Provides an overview of diabetes and covers topics like nutrition, physical activity, emotions and stress management, medications, monitoring, goal setting, problem solving, lifestyle adjustments, risk reduction and preventing, detecting and treating complications. 
• You meet with a certified diabetes education and care specialist to determine goals and outline a teaching plan customized to you.
• You are actively involved in the decision making process.

Gestational Diabetes Class

• For expectant mothers
• Helps you manage gestational diabetes and focuses on your nutrition and maintaining normal blood glucose levels.
• Glucose meter training is available.

One-on-One Education is available for:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Special needs patients
• Insulin training and/or medication management training
• One-on-one sessions generally last about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. 
• If you need one-one-one education, please let us know when scheduling an  appointment.

Register for Classes at Methodist Germantown

1. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers diabetes education. Most will cover it as long as it is requested by your doctor.
2. Ask your doctor to fax a written request for the class or complete this diabetes class referral form (PDF) and fax it to 901-516-4900.
3. Your doctor/doctor’s office must register you for the class by calling 901-516-9000.

If you have any questions or need to change or cancel your appointment, contact Kristy Merritt at 901-516-6616 or Kristy.Merritt@mlh.org.

When: Weekly Classes (Advanced registration required)
Where: Methodist Germantown Hospital | 7705 Poplar Avenue in Medical Office Bldg. B, Suite #150
Contact: 901-516-9000 or 901-516-6616

Diabetes Education Services

Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Program currently specializes in pediatric diabetes education, for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Pediatric patients are transitioned to adult services, and are often times referred to Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital for Transition of Care in diabetes self-management.

Where: 51 North Dunlap (All classes meet in the Le Bonheur Outpatient Center, Suite 240)
Contact: UT Pediatric Outpatient Diabetes Clinic at 901 287-5199

MLCO Division of Chronic Disease Management provides services to promote diabetes prevention and diabetes management for at-risk populations.

National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)

MLCO is a fully recognized provider of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) NDPP program. The program is a yearlong, evidenced- based lifestyle change program. It was developed and endorsed by the CDC to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes. NDPP is not a rapid weight loss or quick-change effort, but provides support for gradual lifestyle improvements that are maintained over time.

• Location: Classes are available in-person at community locations in the Memphis area or virtually (Zoom) to persons living in any U.S. state.
• Cost: The program is free.
• Qualifying: Participants must be at least 18 years old, have a BMI of 25 or higher (23 if Asian), no previous diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and not pregnant. Participants must also meet at least one of these criteria:
  • Blood test results in pre-diabetes range, e.g. HbA1c of 5.7-6.4, or
  • Previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes, or
  • Scored 5 (five) or higher on the NDPP diabetes risk test (CDC’s evidence based test that considers age, gender, family history of diabetes and BMI)
• Verifying Eligibility: In order to verify that you quality, the MLCO staff will conduct a biometric screening to measure height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c. The screening is available at any MLCO community based screening event or at the MLCO office at 600 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis 38105.
• Measuring Results: Those who qualify and go on to enroll in the program will receive additional biometric screening to measure progress in achieving program goals.
• Goals: The individual program goals for participants include reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk factors, including:
  • at least 5% weight loss 12 months after the program began, or
  • at least 4% weight loss and 150 minutes/week on average of physical activity 12 months after the program began, or
  • at least a .2 reduction in HbA1c

At the completion of the classes, MLCO conducts a post-bio metric screening to gather program evaluation data.

• About NDPP Program: The NDPP program is about developing groups where participants support each other in achieving common goals. It teaches the importance of preventing type 2 diabetes and ways to make that goal a reality. The class experience provides opportunities for you to learn how to incorporate a healthier diet and physical activity into your daily life in a gradual way that you can maintain over time.

Diabetes Education and Empowerment Program (DEEP)

MLCO is a licensed provider of the evidence-based DEEP model developed by the University of Illinois – Chicago (UI-C). DEEP is a 6 to 8 week program that covers key information on how to manage type 2 diabetes. In these classes, participants are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences with others. This interactive course covers topics including:

• What is diabetes? How does it affect organs in the body?
• Signs and symptoms of diabetes
• Monitoring diabetes: Why and How
• Physical activity that fits your situation and lifestyle
• Healthy eating that fits your tastes and pocketbook
• Complications of diabetes
• Medications and how they impact diabetes
• Coping with diabetes: taking care of you

In addition to the class experience, the MLCO health educators will reach out to class members individually on a weekly basis, or as needed, to address personal questions and needs.

Location: Classes are available in-person at community locations in the Memphis area. For information on virtual classes (Zoom), contact MLCO offices at 901-287-4789.

  Cost: The program is free.

Verifying Eligibility: All participants in the DEEP program have type 2 diabetes and are under the care of a physician. In order to help understand current health status and to measure progress, MLCO staff will conduct a biometric screening for each proposed participant to measure height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c. The screening can be done at any MLCO community based screening event or in person at the MLCO office at 600 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis 38105.

Measuring Results: Those who attend the class will also receive a post-class biometric screening to measure changes and improvements.

Learn More and Enroll

If you are interested in learning more about either of the above programs, fill out our brief registration form and receive a phone call from our staff, or call us at 901-287-4789.

Available in Memphis, Shelby County and surrounding areas.

Diabetes Medical Nutrition Counseling/MNT.

This service is for diet instruction only. It includes evaluation and treatment planning with 1-on-1 counseling performed by a Registered Dietitian.

A referral from a doctor is needed. Referrals should be faxed to 901-516-9000. To schedule, call 901-516-9000

Learn more at www.methodisthealth.org/healthcare-services/nutrition.

Methodist University Hospital Nutrition Counseling
Where: 1265 Union Avenue
Contact: 901 516-9000

Methodist South Hospital Nutrition Counseling
Where: 1300 Wesley Drive
Contact: 901 516-9000 or 901 516-3700

Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Nutrition Counseling
Where: 7705 Poplar Avenue, Medical Office Bld. B, Suite 150, Germantown, TN
Contact: 901-516-9000 or Bryn Manning @ 901 516-6357

Olive Branch Hospital Nutrition Counseling
Where: 4250 Bethel Road
Contact: 662-932-9153